Chap. XI. Appendix , No. 4. 27

and deposited on the surface of any adjacent waste or moss be-low.

Secondly, But calcareous matter will operate still more pow-erfully. In the channels of many rivers, a bed of marl or shells,or soft lime, may often be discovered. By loosening these ma-terials, or throwing them into the course of the river before win-ter, they may be thus conveyed over the surface of waste landson a lower level.

Thirdly, To point out the particular situations, in which thismay be done with ease and advantage over the British empire,is impracticable. Suffice it to say, that they are much more nu-merous than is generally supposed. Almost every river in Ire-land runs through a bed of marl, or limestone gravel, in somepart of its course. Even many of the copious springs, that riseup from the subsoil of their extensive bogs, are impregnated withcalcareous matter, because that subsoil consists generally of thevery richest marl. Of course, wherever they overflow any partof the surface of these wastes, a rich luxuriant crop of the sweet-est meadow grasses may be seen. I have distinguished some ofthese spots, by their deep verdure, at the distance of severalmiles; and if a little care were taken to conduct these watersover the rest of the surface, the whole might be reclaimed, andrendered highly productive, at a small expense.

Along the whole fens of Lancashire , and in many parts ofWestmoreland and Cumberland, the case is the same. Marl a-bounds in the course of most of the rivers of these counties; andthere cannot remain a doubt, that the whole of these fens havebeen reclaimed by the overflowings of these rivers. For all thesurface over which the waters have run, are now rich meadows,though the subsoil, to the depth of 10, 20, or 30 feet, be stillbarren moss : whereas, the higher parts of that great level whichhas never been overflowed, remain in their original sterile state.I examined this most interesting spot with peculiar care ; andthere cannot be a doubt, that a vast extent of waste land theremay be reclaimed by flooding.

In many parts of Scotland , situations equally favourable forthe purpose might be pointed out, especially in those countieswhere marl abounds. The quantity of water is generally suffi-cient ; the mountainous and uneven surface of the soil, is likewise,favourable for this purpose, at least more so than in a champaigncountry, like many parts of England. In the latter, we cannotalways command water; in the former, we generally can, at alevel sufficiently high for the purpose.

In the Highlands and Islands, particularly in those parts thatare inaccessible, and at a distance from lime and other manures,flooding may be used to great advantage', and to a vast extent;especially in those counties, where marl and calcareous manuresof any kind abound. Shell marl, composed of fluviatile, or fresh