Both The Ends Are The Property Of The Duke Of Argyle, But
The Middle Belongs To Maclean, Who Is Called Col, As The Only
Laird.
Col is not properly rocky; it is rather one continued rock, of a
surface much diversified with protuberances, and covered with a
thin layer of earth, which is often broken, and discovers the
stone.
Such a soil is not for plants that strike deep roots; and
perhaps in the whole Island nothing has ever yet grown to the
height of a table. The uncultivated parts are clothed with heath,
among which industry has interspersed spots of grass and corn; but
no attempt has yet been made to raise a tree. Young Col, who has a
very laudable desire of improving his patrimony, purposes some time
to plant an orchard; which, if it be sheltered by a wall, may
perhaps succeed. He has introduced the culture of turnips, of
which he has a field, where the whole work was performed by his own
hand. His intention is to provide food for his cattle in the
winter. This innovation was considered by Mr. Macsweyn as the idle
project of a young head, heated with English fancies; but he has
now found that turnips will really grow, and that hungry sheep and
cows will really eat them.
By such acquisitions as these, the Hebrides may in time rise above
their annual distress. Wherever heath will grow, there is reason
to think something better may draw nourishment; and by trying the
production of other places, plants will be found suitable to every
soil.
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