Reclamation of Scottish Lands.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3114, 10 February 1879, Page 2

Reclamation of Scottish Lands.

A Times correspondent gives the following particulars of a grand. scheme of reclamation commenced on the Duke of Sutherland's estates in Scotland :—

The question whether it is possible to turn what are called the waste lands of the Highlands to permanent and profitable account for the purpose of agriculture is, as yours readers know, at present being pot to the test of experiment, on an extensive scale inSutherlandsbire. About six years ago the Duke of Sutherland entered on a great scheme for the reclamation of a wide expanse of moorland and morass in the neighborhood of Loch Shin. His main object is to increase the amount of arable land on his extensive property, so as to raise sufficient fooi for the inhabitants in cereals, and sufficient turnips and pasture to enable the tenants of sheep-farms to feed and fatten their flocks at home in winter. He hopes thereby, also, to make the land capable of maintaining a larger population of thriving inhabitants than at present. As matters now stand, the sheep-farmers have to send their sheep to Caithnessshire or to the sea borders of Sunderlandshire to spend the winter and to fatten for the southern markets. This coits from 6s 6d to 8s per head; and if that expense could be saved, there would be a great gain to the farmers. His Grace's estates are estimated to cover 1,176,837 acres, but of this only 26,837 acres are at present under cultivation, 1,150,000 uncultirated —that is given up to sheep and deer and other kinds of game. Most of this uncultivated land is rock an<i scrub; but it is estimated that at least 50,000 acres are capable of reclamation, and it is on this portion that the duke has boldly commenced his operations. He- began, with the intention of reclaiming 1,000 acres annually. That purpose has not been fully carried out; but according to the latest accounts, at least 3,000 acres of what was formerly waste wilderness are now laid out in smiling farms, laden with healthy green crops and golden grain. The operations have been carried on in the best manner conceivable, and with an amount of enterprise, skill and disregard of expense that are only possible in the oase of a great and unselfish capitalist. Steam power is the main instrumentality employed in the work. Inventive genius has been called, into play to meet the unusual requirements of the case, and many thousands of pounds have been expended in perfecting the necessary machinery. Upwards of 20 steam-engines and 400 men are now continually employed in the work The land is torn up by steam; huge roots of trees and great boulders are extracted trom the soil, as if they were colossal teeth, by steam power; steam-engines are constantly employed dragging huge sledges, laden with stones and roots, across the plain.., Dynamite I is used to shatter the boulders and the I roots that are too heavy for transportation in the mass*- After the land is ploughed and broken up it is drained and limed and manured after the most approved (scientific methods. In short, everything is being done that science and money can accomplish to make sour land sweet and productive. Of course, the question remains whether, when all this has been done, the climato will allow the crops to ripen and to be gathered in. Late harvests must necessarily be looked for; and late harvests in these latitudes often mean poor harvests, andyto^aetimes disastrous harvests. „ BuV-flie remains of forests found in the soil indicate' that at one ' time vegetation was luxuriant there, and it is suggested that with improved cultivation, the climate itself may be improved, Of course, these operations involve enormous expenditure; it was at first expected that the cost would not exceed £23 per acre, but it has been found in practice that they cost £30 per acre at least On 1,000 acres, an outlay of £30 per acre means £30,000 per annum; and that is a large sum to expend on what has the appearance of being a hobby. To some Caithness farmers who inspected the works last week the duke made a speech, in which he spoke hopefully of the result but he can hardly expect the work to be remunerative in his day. It may yield 1 or 2 per cent, by and by; but the work is evidently one in which no person could engage who had not a patrimonial interest in the property. If he does not profit by the outlay, his son or grandson will; and if he has the money to spend and takes pleasure in that mode of spending it, neither his successors nor his tenants will have reason to blame him for indulging so useful or so patriotic a whim. It is his purpose to lay out his reclaimed lands in arable farms of various sizes—from 40 to 250 acres —and to attach to each a portion of improved pasture land. Every class of tenants will thus be accomodated, and even the crofters will find that they hare not been forgotten.