linjirovemcut of WasLc L(i)uh. 
333 
for some (iine let annually as grass parks by public auction, when 
some realised as much as hi. per acre, and the average for a 
series of 5 years is rc])orted to have been 3Z. 8s. 8cZ. per acre. 
Such a rent as 5/. per acre for grass land is not unusual in the 
neighbourhood of London or other large towns in England ; but at 
Arch'oss (20 or oO miles from the nearest large town), for lands 
which for ages had been allowed to remain in an unproductive 
state, it is remarkable. The cost of trenching, draining, and 
clearing was about 22/. 14a'. 3f/. per acre, viz. : — 
£. s. d. 
Trenching 8 13 0 
Draining (i 11 0 
Blasting 5 2 0 
Clearing 2 8 3 
£22 14 3 
There were besides, the expenses of fencing, but these, as well 
as the cost of draining, were kept down by large quantities of 
stones raised in the trenched ground being made available for 
these purposes. But, on the other hand, great was the cost of 
trenching, clearing, and blasting — a term suggestive of the large 
numbers of boulder stones, with which the lands abounded, and 
which could be removed by means of gunpowder only — I believe 
it is no exaggeration to state that the blasting alone of some parts 
cost above 10?. per acre. 
For much of the foregoing particulars of the cost of the different 
works, and also the statement respecting the grass-lands, I am 
indebted to a report of the superintendent of the works, published 
by the Highland Society. 1 have not been successful in obtaining 
similar information respecting the arable lands, but I am able to 
state that they are let at rents varying between 12s. and 35s. per 
acre, and they are cultivated upon the five-course rotation, viz : 
oats, turnips or potatoes, barley or wheat, and two years' grass. 
The sum given above as the cost of reclaiming the land is not 
to be considered as an average for the whole work ; the average 
would probably be a good deal in excess of the amount stated. 
In common with the other improvements, upwards of 40 miles 
of excellent roads have been made, generally 14 feet wide ; for 
bottoming these, good materials were at hand in the stones which 
Avere cleared off the trenched land. 
The work carried on at Ardross has been no mere nibbling, nor 
can it be called an encroachment on a large scale upon the margin of 
a vast extent of uncultivated lands, it has been more like going 
into the heart of an enemy's territory" and taking his citadel by 
storm. Imagine for a moment a shooting lodge so closely sur- 
rounded with the heather grounds that the sportsmen might well 
