Chap. XVII. Appexdix.

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managed by the hand ; others are drawn by horses, but all havewooden teeth or tines. Of course they are so light and feeble,that they scarcely cover the seed, even in a soil which is free andfrequently ploughed. But they have no effect in breaking andpulverizing the soil in such lands as have lain in lea for any time,especially as they are ploughed so imperfectly.

Their carts and cars are equally imperfect, as the implementsnamed above. For the most part, carts, or wheel carriages ofany kind, are unknown. All their corn and crop of every kind,and all their manure and materials for building, are transportedfrom place to place on horseback, or on sledges.

It is true that, in general, the roads are so bad, that no wheelcarriage could be used ; but this is not the case universally.On the contrary, in many parts of the Highlands and WesternIsles , excellent level roads are naturally formed. Especially inthe flat levels and Islands, such as South-Uist, North-Uist, andBenbecula ; yet few or no carts have ever been used. This isa great obstacle to the improvement of these districts. Morehorses, and men, and labour must be employed, than would o-therwise be necessary. And more expense must be thrown awayin conveying their crops and manure and other materials, suchas kelp, from place to place yearly, than would purchase wheelcarriages for these purposes.'

VIII. The Rotation of Crops raised in the Highlands and Hebri-des, and the neglect of Green Crops in general, is a great obsta-cle to Improvement.

The rotation pursued over the greatest part of these districts,is perhaps the most ruinous that could be devised. On their in-field land, in general, they raise continual crops of grain with-out any respite. Alternate crops of bear and oats, without in-termission, are cultivated on the same field. Sometimes twocrops of the former, and four of the latter, in succession, formthe produce of infield land.

Four, or even five crops of oats, are raised on the outfieldland, and then it is allowed tg rest for three years. After this,the same rotation is resumed.

IX. Natural Obstacles to the Improvement of these Districts.

Some of these are insurmountable. Others may be obviated,though not entirely removed. The insulated situation—the bois-terous climate—the rough and rugged surface—the dangerous

ferries_the distance from markets—and the inaccessible nature

of these districts, are of the first description ; for they may allbe considered as obstacles to improvement, almost, or altogetherinsurmountable.

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