SECTION 1.—Situation and Extent.

THE diſtrict included in this Survey is the whole of the county of Northumberland, and thoſe detached parts of the county of Durham called Norhamſhire, Iſland⯑ſhire, and Bedlingtonſhire.

SECT. 2 —Diviſion.

The county of Northumberland is divided into ſix Wards.—viz. Tindale Ward, Coquetdale Ward, Glen⯑dale Ward, Bamborough Ward, Morpeth Ward, and Caſtle Ward.—The three firſt are ſituated in the weſ⯑tern part of the county, and include the whole of the mountainous diſtrict, with a conſiderable portion of in⯑cloſed cultivated country:—The three latter adjoin the ſea coaſt, and being exempt from mountainous diſtrict, have been long under cultivation; the vaſt reſources of coal, Caſtle Ward in particular poſſeſſes, and the increaſed population the coal trade occaſions, give them a decided preference in point of riches and population; tho' in point of magnitude, conſiderably the ſmalleſt, occupying leſs than one fourth of the county.

Norhamſhire and Iſlandſhire are ſituated at the northern extremity of the county of Northumberland, and com⯑prehend a triangular ſpace, the two ſides of which are formed by the River Tweed and German Ocean, and the baſe the northern boundary of Glendale and Bambro' Ward; it contains about 72 ſquare miles of well-inclo⯑ſed cultivated country.

Bedlingtonſhire is ſituated at the ſouth-eaſt corner of Caſtle Ward, bounded on the eaſt by the German Ocean, and on the north and ſouth by the rivers Wanſbeck and Blyth, and contains about 30 ſquare miles.

SECT. 3.—Climate.

The Climate—in regard to temperature, is ſubject to great variation; upon the mountains, ſnow will often continue for ſeveral months, (and may frequently be ſeen there of a conſiderable depth) when there is none in the lower diſtricts. The weather is very inconſtant, but moſt⯑ly [3]runs in extremes. In the Spring months, the cold, piercing, eaſterly winds are moſt prevalent; and our longeſt droughts are always accompanied by them: in ſome places they have acquired the name of ſea-pines, from the ſlow progreſs vegetation makes whenever they con⯑tinue for a few weeks. Rain is of little uſe while they prevail, from the great cold which always attends them.

The mild weſtern and ſouthern breezes rarely take place before June; they are certain harbingers of rain and vigorous vegetation, and are the moſt prevailing winds through the Summer and Autumn: In the latter ſeaſon, they often blow with tempeſtuous fury, daſh out the corn, and diſappoint the juſt hopes of the induſtrious farmer.

Our greateſt falls of ſnow, or rain, are from the ſouth, or ſouth-eaſt; and whenever we have a very high weſt wind, it is a certain ſign that a great quantity of rain is falling to the weſtward, in Cumberland and Roxburgh⯑ſhire.

SECT. 4.—Soil and Surface.

A ſtrong fertile clayey loam—occupies the level tract of country along the coaſt, and reaches as far up in general as the great poſt road. It is well adapted to the culture of wheat, pulſe, clover, and grazing.

Sandy, gravelly, and dry loam—or what is here more generally underſtood by turnip ſoil, is found on the banks of the Tyne, from Newburn to Haltwhiſtle; on the Co⯑quet, about and above Rothbury; on the Aln, from its mouth to Alnwick; and down Tweed-ſide: But the greateſt quantity of this kind of ſoil is found in the vales of Breamiſh, Till, and Beaumont. The hills ſurrounding the Cheviot mountains are moſtly a dry, channelly, ſharp-pointed, gravelly loam.

[4] Moiſt Loams—on a wet, cold, clayey bottom, occupy a large portion of this county, being unſafe for ſheep, and unfit for turnips; they are principally employed in grow⯑ing grain, rearing young cattle, and feeding ewes and lambs. This ſoil prevails moſt in the middle and ſouth⯑eaſt parts of the county.

Black Peat Earth—is the prevailing ſoil in moſt of the mountainous diſtricts, and is found in many places through the lower parts of the county.

The aſpect of this county, in reſpect to ſurface, is mark⯑ed with great variety; along the ſea-coaſt, it is nearly level; towards the middle, the ſurface is more diverſified, and thrown into large ſwelling ridges, formed by the principal rivers:—Theſe parts are well incloſed; in ſome places enriched with wood and recent plantations, but the general appearance is deſtitute of thoſe ornaments:— The weſtern part (except a few intervening vales) is an extenſive ſcene of open, mountainous diſtrict, where the hand of Cultivation is rarely to be traced.

Of the mountainous diſtricts, thoſe around Cheviot are the moſt valuable; being in general fine green hills, thrown (by ſome of thoſe convulſive changes which this globe has at ſome time experienced) into numberleſs variety of forms; the verdant, ſwift-ſloping ſides of which, incloſe and ſhelter many deep, narrow glens: through the whole of this diſtrict no mineral or other kind of ſtone is found, except brown, red, and grey whinſtone: —they extend from the head of Coquet, down to Allen⯑ton; from thence northward to Prendwick, Branton, Il⯑derton, Wooler, Kirknewton, and Mindrim, and occupy at leaſt an area of 90000 acres.

The other mountainous diſtricts lie chiefly on the weſtern part of the county, ſome of which adjoin the county of Durham; but the largeſt portion extends from the Ro⯑man Wall to the river Coquet (with a few intervening [5]incloſed vales) and to the moors north of Rothbury.— They are not marked by any ſtriking irregularities of ſur⯑face, being in general extenſive, open, ſolitary waſtes, growing little elſe but heath, and affording a hard ſubſiſ⯑tence to the flocks that depaſture them.

SECT. 5.—Minerals.

Coal—is found in abundance thro' the greateſt part of this county, particularly in the lower diſtrict; in the ſouth-eaſt quarter it is of the beſt quality,^* and the moſt numerous and thickeſt ſeams, from whence thoſe vaſt quantities are exported which ſupply the great conſump⯑tion of the London market, as well as the coaſting and foreign trade.—This coal trade is the foundation of the commerce of the county, and the principal ſource of its wealth, as well as a never-ſailing nurſery for ſome of the beſt ſeamen in the Britiſh Navy.—Of the quantity of coals raiſed in this county, we have not been able to form a probable conjecture, for want of ſufficient data to eſti⯑mate the quantity uſed at home; but have obtained what are exported from the River Tyne, in which a conſider⯑able portion raiſed in the county of Durham is included, and which may probably come near a balance for thoſe conſumed in this county.—Some idea of the magnitude of this trade may be formed by the following ſtatement of.

From hence it appears that this trade is increaſing at an amazing rate, there being not leſs than one-third more coals exported now than were exported 20 years ſince: From Hartley and Blyth there are exported yearly between 30000 and 40000 chaldrons; if theſe be added to the average export from Newcaſtle for the laſt three or four years, the quantity exported from this county may be fairly eſtimated at 510000 Newcaſtle chaldrons, or 956250 London chaldrons; the Newcaſtle chaldron being to the London chaldron in the ratio of 8 to 15:—The value of the above quantity to the various parties concerned will appear by the following

Which deducted from 500l. (the amount of the cargo as above) leaves 183l. 7s. 7d. for the freight of the ſhip.

[9]As we are not able to procure ſufficient information of the number of people in the coal trade, we ſhall take the liberty of extracting from Mr M'Nab's Letter to Mr Pitt, that the number of perſons employed and dependent on the coal trade, in the year 1792, were,

To the coal-owners the winning and working theſe collieries are very expenſive, and frequently attended with conſiderable riſque; for tho' very large fortunes have been made in the buſineſs, yet many have been loſt; the unexpected alteration of the ſtrata, from dykes and other troubles; the frequent and dreadful exploſions from in⯑flammable air; the great depth of the ſhafts, and increaſ⯑ing quantities of water to be raiſed from them, baffle the moſt experienced artiſts, and overcome the amazing pow⯑ers of the fire-engine, which of late years has received many improvements, and been made to perform what was thought abſolutely impoſſible at its firſt introduction.^*

Theſe powerful machines are now applied to the pur⯑poſes of drawing coals, which buſineſs was formerly uni⯑verſally performed by horſes; frequently 8 to a ſhaft, where great quantities were drawn and diſpatch was ne⯑ceſſary; but by the invention and application of the draw⯑ing machines, a great many horſes were diſmiſſed from [10]the collieries; which has conſiderably reduced the con⯑ſumption of oats in this neighbourhood.

Many of the collieries are ſituated at a conſiderable diſ⯑tance from the river, to which the coals are conveyed from the pits in a peculiar kind of carriage, called a New-caſtle coalwaggon; (pl. 1, fig. 1.) it has 4 ſmall wheels, about 34 inches diameter, fixed to the axles, with which they turn round, and move on a road (called the waggon-way) made on purpoſe with wood, which is formed by long pieces of wood (RA, rails) about 4 inches ſquare, laid length-ways, upon ſleepers of wood (SSS) and the thickneſs of the rail above the plane of the reſt of the road, and at the exact diſtance of the waggon wheels from each other, as it is upon thoſe rails the wheels run.

A new waggon-way (including timber, levelling, gravel⯑ing, and workmanſhip) will coſt about 5s. per yard, or 440l. per mile; and the expence of keeping it in repair is generally about 1½d. per chaldron on a quantity of 15000 chaldrons annually, or 93l. 15s. 0d. per mile.^*

The dimenſions of the body of theſe waggons are as follows:

They hold a chaldron of coals, or 53 cwt. and are drawn by a ſingle horſe.

[11]A gently-inclined plane is the moſt deſirable poſition for thoſe waggon-ways; but few ſituations will admit of this: Upon levels, or eaſy aſcents, a ſingle horſe draws the waggon: On ſuch parts of the way where the declina⯑tion is ſufficient for the waggon to move by the power of gravity, the horſe is taken out and follows behind; and where the deſcents are ſuch, that the waggon would move with too great rapidity by its own weight, (or "run a⯑main,") the motion is regulated by a crooked piece of wood, (called a convey) coming over the top of one of the hind wheels; upon which the waggon-man preſſes with ſuch force as he finds requiſite, to regulate the motion of the waggon.^*

In has been aſſerted, that "the coals in this county are inexhauſtible"—Mr Williams, in his Natural Hiſtory of the Mineral Kingdom, is of a different opinion, and think it a matter of ſuch importance as to deſerve the ſe⯑rious attention of the Legiſlature.—Towards elucidating this point, it may be of ſome uſe to eſtimate what number of acres are wrought yearly in this county to ſupply the above quantity of coals: In order to accompliſh this ob⯑ject, the thickneſs and number of workable ſeams of coal muſt be firſt aſcertained; for which purpoſe we have been favoured with ſections^† exhibiting the thickneſs and depth of the various ſtrata, in ſome of the deepeſt pits in the county; which will not only be uſeful for the preſent purpoſe, but we hope will be acceptable to many of our readers, who are curious in reſearches of ſubterraneous geography.

At St Anthon's Colliery (3 miles eaſt of Newcaſtle) the ſtrata from the ſurface to the LOW MAIN coal, are:—

[12]

In the above pit or ſhaft, which is nearly^* the deepeſt in the kingdom, there are no leſs than 16 ſeams of coal. But many of theſe, from their thinneſs, are not workable. The 9th, called the high main coal, and the 10th, the low main coal, are the two principal ſeams for affording quan⯑tities of coal, being together 12½ feet thick, and are thoſe moſt generally wrought. But the 10th, 13th, and 14th, are all workable ſeams, and will afford conſiderable quan⯑tities of coal; the aggregate of the three making nearly 9½ feet thick; ſo that the total thickneſs of the workable ſeams in this colliery amount to 22 feet.

In Montague Main Colliery (3 miles weſt of Newcaſtle) ſouth of the main dyke, the ſtrata are:—

In this ſhaft there are 15 ſeams of coal, of which on⯑ly four are workable, viz. the 4th, 7th, 11th, and 12th, making together 4 yds. 1 ft. 7 ins. of wórkable coal. If the medium be taken betwixt this and St Anthon's, it will be nearly 6 yards thick of workable coal, from which may be formed▪

[18]

And as three cubic yards of coal, when wrought, afford a Newcaſtle chaldron,

=gives 6453 Newcaſtle chaldrons per acre.

The coals exported yearly from the rivers Tyne and Wear, with Hartley and Blyth, amount to about 825000 chaldrons,^* which, with the home conſumption of the two counties of Northumberland and Durham, will make the quantity of coals raiſed yearly about 1,000,000 chaldrons.

=gives 155 acres near⯑ly per year, cleared of coal 6 yds. thick.

And by eſtimating the breadth occupied by the caking coals to be on an averge 8 miles broad, and 25 miles long, in the two counties, we ſhall find there will be about 200 ſquare miles, or 128000 acres, of coal proper for expor⯑tation.

[19]

=825 years. The time before this ſpace will be wrought out.

But there are ſome reaſons to think, that a thickneſs of ſeam equal to 6 yards will not be obtained over an ex⯑tent of 200 ſquare miles; probably not more on an aver⯑age than 4 yards; in which caſe, the coal will be exhauſt⯑ed in 550 years: and if the aggregate thickneſs of the ſeams to be obtained ſhould prove only three yards, then little more than 400 years will be the term of continu⯑ance; but it is probable, that before the half of that time be elapſed, the price to the conſumer will be con⯑ſiderably increaſed, from the increaſed expence of ob⯑taining them, and the increaſed length of carriage from the pits to the river. This laſt, we preſume, may be re⯑duced in ſome ſituations, by adopting canals inſtead of waggon-ways, which we have often wondered have never yet been attempted.

From the above inveſtigation it appears, that Mr Williams's apprehenſions are not ſo chimerical at have been repreſented; how far it may be right for the legiſ⯑lature to interfere, we leave to the conſideration of thoſe more converſant in political ſpeculations.

Of the coal found all thro' Bambro' Ward, Iſlandſhire, and thoſe parts of Glendale Ward eaſt of the river Till, the ſeams are very thin, moſtly from 1 to 3 feet thick, and of a very inferior quality, yielding a great quantity of aſhes, and neither caking in the fire, nor burning to a cinder: they are uſed only for home-conſumption, and for burning lime; for the latter purpoſe they are well adapted, by their property of neither caking nor burning to a cinder; and it luckily happens, that thro' all this diſ⯑trict, the coal and lime are generally found together; a circumſtance which greatly facilitates and leſſens the ex⯑pence of burning lime.

[20]If a line be drawn from Alemouth to a little weſt of Bywell on the river Tyne, very little of this kind of coal and limeſtone will be found to the eaſt of it; and from this line to the ſea coaſt, no limeſtone whatever ap⯑pears, except a ſmall patch of a different limeſtone that puts in at Whitley, near Tynemouth, and runs from thence in a ſouth-weſterly direction thro' the county of Durham, &c. In this ſpace, betwixt theſe two ranges of limeſtone, lie the caking coals of ſuperior quality above de⯑ſcribed, and the ſame breadth of coal may be traced thro' the county of Durham, ſtretching in the ſame direction, and bounded on the eaſt and weſt, in a ſimilar manner, by ſtretches of limeſtone of different kinds.

It would be a curious inveſtigation to trace theſe mi⯑nerals thro' the different counties acroſs the iſland, and ſhow where the ſtrata of each ſpecies riſe to the ſurface; and the deviations cauſed in them by croſs veins or dykes, &c.; we believe it will be found that very little or no coal lies to the eaſt of this line, and that no chalk lies to the weſt.

Limeſtone,—of an excellent quality, abounds thro' all Bambro' Ward, Iſlandſhire, and that part of Glendale Ward ſituated on the eaſt ſide of the river Till; it ſtretches from hence in a ſouth-weſterly direction thro' the central parts of the county, and is found at Shilbottle, Longframlington, Hartburn, Rial, Corbridge, &c. and at numberleſs other places to the weſtward of theſe; but the ſouth-eaſt quarter, which is ſo rich in coal, is deſtitute of lime;^* as is alſo that part of Glendale Ward weſt of the river Till.

Stone Marl,—abounds in many places near Tweedſide; and Shell Marl is found in a few places in Glendale Ward. The greateſt quantity is at Wark and Sunnylaws, where it has been formed by a depoſit of various kinds of [21]ſhells, both univalve and bivalve, many of which are yet perfect, forming a ſtratum ſeveral feet in depth of pure calcareous earth; but the exact depth of this bed of marl has never yet been aſcertained, for want of a proper level to carry off the water: It probably may afford matter of ſpeculation to ſome readers to be informed, that in the middle of this marl there is an horizontal ſtratum of ſand about 12 inches thick; and alſo that, a few years ſince, a Red Deer Stag, in the attitude of running, and in every part complete, was found embedded in the marl: horns of the ſame animal have been found at different times in perfect preſervation; and a part of the ſcalp, with the cores of a pair of horns belonging to ſome animal of the Bos Taurus ſpecies, were lately found here: we have never ſeen any breed of cattle, the horns of which were of equal magnitude; for though the outſide ſhell or horn part was wanting, yet the core was 24 inches long, and 12 inches circumference at the root; and when in a perfect ſtate and covered with the outſide ſhell, muſt have been about 5 inches diameter: their form is a gentle curve, and have all the appearance of a pair of bull's horns; but probably of a different breed of cattle to any we have at preſent.

Clay Marl,—is alſo found in ſmall quantities, but in ſitu⯑ations where it could not be conveniently uſed with effect.

Lead Ore,—has hitherto never been found in any quan⯑tity but in the mountainous diſtricts on the ſouth-weſt part of the county, towards the head of that branch of South Tyne, called Allendale; and a ſmall quantity at Fallowfield, a little to the north of Hexham.^*

In this county, lead ore is wrought by the bing, a meaſure containing 8 cwt. of clean ore; the workmen being paid by the owners of the mine at different prices, [22]from 8s. to 36s. per bing (for getting, and waſhing, or cleaning) according to the richneſs. quality, or hardneſs of the mine. If the owners ſell any of the ore in this ſtate, the price is generally from 3l. 10s. to 4l. 10s. per bing, but they moſtly have ſmelt mills of their own, where they ſmelt it at their own coſt, take the ſilver out of it by refining,^* and then caſt the lead into long pieces, call⯑ed pigs of 1 ½ cwt. each.—Pig lead is ſold by the fother, a quantity containing 21 cwt. which is reckoned to ſell at a fair price when at 15l. or 16l. per fother; in 1776 it was as low as 12l. and in the beginning of 1782 it was 17l. 5s.—in 1788 it roſe gradually to 23l. 10s. per fother, which was ſeveral pounds higher than it was ever ſold at before; but in the following year, it ſell to 16l. or 17l per fother, which ſhews the fluctuating price of this article.

The Ore of Zink,—is found in great abundance embed⯑ded with ſpar, in moſt of the veins producing lead ore; but its diſtance from any braſs manufactures, and from water carriage, renders it of little value. In theſe mines are alſo found great variety of cryſtallizations of ſpar, quartz, &c. &c.

The mines which produce lead ore are very fluctuating, and uncertain in point of profit to the adventurers; but tend to a general good, by giving employment to a numer⯑ous claſs of induſtrious workmen, who, being ſituated in a climate improper for the production of grain, are oblig⯑ed to receive the greateſt part of their proviſions from the more fertile diſtricts of the county, and by thoſe means encourage its agriculture.

[23] Iron Ore,—may be had in many parts of the county; of late years the convenience of ſhipping it at Holy Iſland, has induced the Carron Company to have conſiderable quantities from thence.

Freeſtones,—of various kinds, abound in almoſt every part of the county, and are applied to all the purpoſes of building. Many of the quarries afford tolerable ſlates for roofing, and flags for floors: at ſome of them excellent grindſtones are got, of which a great many are exported from Camus and Warkworth.

SECT. 6.—Waters.

The principal rivers, which act as eſtuaries to the reſt, are the Tyne, Blyth, Wanſbeck, Coquet, Aln, and Tweed. The innumerable ſtreams, which loſe their names in the above, ſpread in every direction through the county:— The Tyne branches into nearly two equal ſtreams a little above Hexham, which are diſtinguiſhed by the names of North Tyne and South Tyne: the main branch of North Tyne, is the Reed; and of South Tyne, the Allen: The principal ſtreams which empty themſelves into the Tyne eaſt of Hexham, are the Devil's-water and the Der⯑went: and the river Till is the only ſtream, of any note, which empties itſelf into the Tweed, in this county.

The Tyne and Tweed are the moſt eminent for their navigation, the tide flowing up the former 16 miles, and up the latter eight or ten; the navigation of the other rivers is confined to a ſmall diſtance from their mouths; of theſe the Blyth and Aln are of the moſt im⯑portance, from the convenience which the firſt affords to its neighbourhood, for the exportation of conſiderable quantities of coals; and both of them for corn, &c. and the importation of timber, iron, and other uſeful articles.

The Tyne and Tweed have been long celebrated for [24]their ſalmon fiſheries: in the latter a rent of 800l. a year is paid for a fiſhing of 200 yards in length, near the mouth of the river; and the ſame rent is paid for other [...] above the bridge, not more than 250 yards in [...]. The fiſh taken here are, the Salmon, Bull-trout, Wh [...]ng, and large common Trout, and nearly the whole of them ſent to London; in the con⯑veyance of which, a great improvement has taken place of late years, by packing them in pounded ice; by this means they are preſented nearly as freſh at the London market, as when taken out of the river. For the purpoſe of car⯑rying them, and keeping up a conſtant and regular ſupply, veſſels called ſmacks ſail 3 times a week, and being pur⯑poſely conſtructed for ſwift ſailing, frequently make their run in 48 hours. Theſe veſſels are from 70 to 120 tons burden; on an average 12 men are employed in each veſſel, and make about 14 voyages in a year; and not leſs than 75 boats, and 300 fiſhermen, are employed in taking the fiſh in the river Tweed.

SECT. 1.—Eſtates.

ESTATES vary in their annual value from 20l. to up⯑wards of 20000l. a year;—one in particular is upwards of 40000l.—Small eſtates from 20l. to 200l. a year, are found in the ſouthern and middle parts of the county, but very rarely in the northern.

There are probably few parts of the kingdom where eſtates have made ſuch rapid improvements as in this county; there being ſeveral inſtances of the value being [25]more than trebled within the laſt 40 years. Many cau⯑ſes have certainly been aiding to produce this great ef⯑fect; but the principal one is attributed to letting large farms, and leaſes for 21 years; by which means the te⯑nants of capital were encouraged to make thoſe great ex⯑ertions, from which ſuch advantages have reſulted, not only to themſelves and proprietors of the land, but to the community at large, from the very increaſed produce, and ſuperiority of its quality.

The uſual mode of letting farms is to fix a rent, under certain conditions and covenants, 6 or 12 months before the expiration of the leaſe; but upon one of the largeſt eſtates in the county,^* the tenants have an offer of their farms 2½ or 3 years before the expiration of the leaſe, which is a mutual benefit to both landlord and tenant; and is attended with ſo many advantages, that it is in a fair way of being generally adopted.

On ſome eſtates the practice of letting farms by ſecret propoſals is ſtill in uſe: this is a dark and myſterious mode, which frequently defeats the end it is intended to accompliſh, and inſtead, of obtaining an exceſſive high rent, the prize has been often gained at a very inferior value; and, in the language of the turf, (where only one has en⯑tered the liſts) "by walking the courſe:" and we have known ſome of the firſt farmers in the county forego their farms, rather than ſubmit to contend in the dark. Upon moſt eſtates it is generally ſtipulated, that a certain portion of the beſt old grazing, lands, on each farm, ſhall be kept in graſs during the whole term.

The quantity of land to be in ploughing is moſtly limit⯑ed to a certain number of acres; and at the expiration of the term, where the tenant quits on the 12th of May, he is allowed to have a crop of corn from off two-thirds of the arable lands; this is called the way-going crop: the [26]entering tenant has the ſtraw, and leads the crop into the ſtack-yard.—The houſes, hedges, gates, drains, &c. are kept and left in repair by the tenant, who likewiſe pays all taxes, ceſſes, &c.

Of the annual value of the eſtates in this county, no authentic information could be obtained; but a probable gueſs may be formed by ſuppoſing that there are 800000 acres of cultivated land, and that this on an average is worth 14s. per acre,—and that 450,000 acres of moun⯑tainous diſtrict is worth 2s. per acre.

SECT. 2.—Tenures.

The land property in this county is moſtly freehold:—There are to be found in a few places ſome ſmall par⯑cels of copyhold; and in thoſe diſtricts which belong to the county of Durham, ſome leaſeholds for lives, or years, held under the church.—There are alſo two or three ma⯑nors of cuſtomary tenure towards the head of South Tyne.

SECT. 1.—Houſes of Proprietors.

THE ſeats of the principal proprietors of this county conſiſt of venerable caſtles, old halls, and elegant mo⯑dern manſions.—To give particular deſcriptions would [27]be too extenſive for an Agricultural Survey; thoſe who wiſh for information on this ſubject, we beg leave to re⯑fer to Hutchinſon's View of Northumberland, Pennant's Tour, &c. &c.

SECT. 2.—Farm Houſes, Offices, &c.

Buildings,—for the uſe and convenience of farms, were formerly very ſhabby and ill contrived; but thoſe that have been erected of late years, are better adapted to the various purpoſes wanted for extenſive farms and improved cultivation.

The moſt approved form of diſtributing the various offices is, on the eaſt, weſt, and north ſides of a rectan⯑gular parallelogram, which is generally divided into two fold-yards, for cattle of different ages, the ſouth being left open to admit the ſun; and for the ſame reaſon, and alſo for the ſake of cleanlineſs and health, the farm houſe is removed in front thirty or forty yards; between which and the ſouth wall of the fold is a ſmall court for coals, young poultry, &c. as in the annexed plan

• A. The farm-houſe.
• B. The barn, 18 feet by 60.
• C. Sheds, over which are granaries.
• D D. Ditto, upon which are built corn-ſlacks; one of which is for wintering yearling calves, the other for holding implements of huſbandry.
• E. Byers for cows and work-oxen, 16 feet by 48.
• F. Stables.
• G. Pig-ſtyes, with hen-houſe above.
• H H. Fold-yards for cattle of different ages.

Repairs are moſtly done by the tenants; on the large farms complaints are ſeldom made of their being neglect⯑ed, but upon ſmall farms the landlord is frequently obli⯑ged to lend his aſſiſtance.

SECT. 3.—Cottages.

Such cottages as have been erected a number of years, are built with ſtone and clay, and covered with thatch; thoſe that have been built of late years, are of ſtone and lime, covered with tiles, and moſtly a floor of lime and ſand; they conſiſt of one apartment 15 ft. by 16, to dwell in, with a ſmall one at the entrance for a cow, coals, working tools, &c. 9 ft. by 16, and are only one ſtory high: Very few of them want the accommodation of a garden.

The materials uſed for building are, ſtone and bricks, but moſtly the former. Straw (thatch) uſed to be the univerſal covering, but it is now nearly fallen into diſuſe, and tiles or ſlates ſubſtituted in its ſtead. The ſmall dark blue ſlate, from Scotland, is the kind generally uſed here, and are much ſuperior to tiles; for though they are more expenſive at firſt, yet it is probable that in a few years they may be as cheap, from the repairs tiles ſo frequently require, eſpecially where they are ſo ill manufactured.

Fir timber is univerſally uſed for all the purpoſes of building.

SECT. 1.—Farms, and Character of the Farmers.

THE ſize of farms—varies conſiderably in this county; in Glendale and Bambrough Wards the farms are large, from 500l. to 1500l. a year; very few under 100l. In the other parts of the county they are from 50l. to 300l. a year: Some tenants in the northern parts of the county, farm from 2000l. to 4000l. a year, and upwards:—The capitals neceſſary for ſuch farms entitle them to a good education, and give them a ſpirit of independence and en⯑terprize, that is rarely found amongſt the occupiers of ſmall farms and ſhort leaſes. Their minds being open to conviction, they are ready to try new experiments, and adopt every beneficial improvement, that can be learnt in other diſtricts; for this purpoſe many of them have tra⯑verſed the moſt diſtant parts of the kingdom to obtain agricultural knowledge, and have tranſplanted every prac⯑tice they thought ſuperior to thoſe they were acquainted with, or that could be advantageouſly purſued in their own ſituation: And ſcarce a year paſſes without ſome of them making extenſive agricultural tours, for the ſole pur⯑poſe of examining the modes of culture, of purchaſing or hiring the moſt improved breeds of ſtock, and ſeeing the operations of new-invented and moſt uſeful imple⯑ments.

The character of a farmer is here ſo reſpectable, that gentlemen who poſſeſs landed property from 500l. to 1500l a year, think it no debaſement to follow the pro⯑feſſion: [30]and ſo high a name have many of the farmers obtained for their ſuperior knowledge in rural affairs, that they are ſeldom without pupils from various and diſtant parts of the kingdom, with whom they have very hand⯑ſome premiums.^*—Amongſt the preſent pupils may be reckoned the ſon of an Parl and the ſon of a Baronet;—who, from their abilities, attention, and anxious readineſs to learn and work at every operation, we hope will do cre⯑dit to the profeſſion, and render the moſt eſſential ſervices to their reſpective diſtricts.

SECT. 3.—Rent.

The rent—of lands in this county uſed formerly to be clogged with payments in kind, and perſonal ſervices: But theſe have been long diſuſed, and the whole is now paid in money.—The rents are moſtly due on the 12th of May and the 22d of November; but payment is ſeldom required till four or five months after being due.

The rent per acre muſt vary with the quality of the land, and other circumſtances: At a diſtance from towns, and for the purpoſes of farming only, lands may be had from one ſhilling per acre up to 30 and 40 ſhillings:—Laſt year, a farm of upwards of 2000 acres was let for 20s. an acre, unincloſed, but tithe-free of grain:—One of 600 acres, at 24s. per acre, pays all tithes:—Another of 300 acres, at 35s. per acre, tithe-free, well incloſed, and in high condition, and ſeveral other large farms that pay tithes of every kind, have been let as high as from 27 to 37s. per acre; and ſome old rich grazing paſtures along the ſea-coaſt let for 40s. per acre.

SECT. 3.—Tithes.

Of this bane to Agriculture, we do not find any thing, peculiar to this county, which is not common to the reſt. In ſome parts the tithes are collected with moderation, in others with all the ſeverity that law can enforce; ſome let for a term of years at a fair rent, whilſt others value and let every year.

SECT. 4.—Poor Rates.

In Newcaſtle they vary from 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. in the pound, in times of peace; but at preſent, All-Saints pa⯑riſh is as high as 6s. per pound, owing to the ſea-faring people living moſtly in this pariſh; and the ſailors being impreſſed, their wives and children come for ſupport up⯑on the pairſh—At Hexham they are 2s. 6d.—Morpeth 3s. 6d.—Alnwick 1s. 10d.—Belford 2s. 6d.—Berwick 2s 8d.—Wooler 1s. 6d.—and in other parts of the county we find they vary from 6d. to 2s. per pound.

SECT. 5.—Leaſes.

Leaſes—for twenty-one years, are let on moſt of the principal eſtates, eſpecially in the northern parts of the county. Some proprietors of land in the other diſtricts let only for nine, twelve, or fifteen years. The general time of entry is the 12th of May.^* The covenants vary with circumſtances; but we think the following the beſt calculated for improvement, and the benefit of both land⯑lord and tenant:

After the uſual reſervations of mines, woods, &c. and [32]proviſoes of re-entry on non-payment of rent or aliena⯑tion, &c. the tenant covenants to pay the rent—all taxes—keep and leave all in repair—not to ſell hay, ſtraw, or other fodder, from off the premiſes—to lay the dung on the premiſes, except that bred the laſt year—not to ſow any hemp, flax, muſtard, or rape, except the laſt for green food—not to depaſture more ſtints the laſt year, than were depaſtured for two years preceding—to deſtroy the moles yearly, and ſcale the graſs grounds—to threſh the waygoing crop in an uniform manner, and deliver a daily ſupply of ſtraw to the next tenant—to keep uneaten the lands ſown with graſs ſeeds in the laſt year of the term, from the firſt of October, except one half to be eaten by the offgoing tenant after the 1ſt of April, to the end of the term—to permit the leſſor to ſow graſs ſeeds on the waygoing crop—and to plough the lands intended for fallow five months before the expiration of the term—to have no more ploughing than^* acres at one time—to fallow yearly for wheat, turnips, or other green crops, one-third of the tillage lands, and lay upon every acre cart loads of lime, where neceſſary; or, in lieu thereof, cart loads of dung—not to keep any land in tillage more than three years at one time—to lay to graſs yearly one-third of the tillage lands, and ſow upon every acre pounds of clover, &c. (or other ſeeds ſuited to the ſoil;) to keep ſuch lands in graſs at leaſt two or three years,^† be⯑fore they are ploughed out again—to lay down to graſs, or have in graſs the laſt three years, all thoſe fields called —to keep in graſs [33]during the whole of the term, and at the end thereof leave in graſs all thoſe fields called^* [...] and all ſuch lands as ſhall be converted into watered meadows—to be at one half the expence of making new quick ſences, and of cleaning and rearing them for ſeven years after firſt planted—and others, that ſituation or circumſtances may require.

The leſſor convenants, that the tenant ſhall have peace⯑able poſſeſſion, and a waygoing crop from off two-thirds of the tillage lands, with the uſe of the ſtack yards, barns, and granaries, for twelve months after the expiration of the term; alſo to be at one-half the expence of making all new quick fences, and of cleaning and rearing them for ſeven years after firſt planted; with other covenants that may be agreed on, reſpecting building, &c.

SECT. 6—Expence and Profit.

The expence upon a farm may be eſtimated pretty near the truth, for a certain number of acres; but the profits depend upon ſo many precarious circumſtances, ſuch as ſeaſons, mode of culture, produce, markets, &c. that we think any eſtimate of profits upon a particular farm, would be a very vague criterion for judging of the reſt, and moſt probably would not ſuit any other farm of the ſame rent or magnitude in the county; we ſhall there⯑fore ſtate the expence of cultivating an acre, ſuppoſing a farm in the rotation of three years arable and three years graſs—viz—

• 1 year oats.
• 2 turnips.
• 3 barley.
• 4 clover and other graſſes.
• 5 clover and other graſſes.
• 6 clover and other graſſes.

[34]And that the firſt year's clover carries ſix ſheep per acre, the ſecond year four, and the third year two ſheep per acre:—Then the expence will be as follows.

The expences incurred for cultivation will be nearly the ſame, whatever the ſoil, but the produce will vary ac⯑cording to the quality of the land.

On good lands the produce may be,

If the value of the crops be,

From the above ſtatement it appears, that nearly the fame capital will be required to carry on a farm in tillage, at 7s. per acre, that it does one at 26s. per acre:—There⯑fore, a farm of good land of 100l. per year, will require leſs capital than a farm of bad land of 100l. per year; and alſo, that when the value of the crops in 6 years amounts to no more than 12l. ſuch lands are improper for arable, and will pay no rent;—of courſe the moſt profitable mode of employing ſuch ſoils, is to let them remain in paſturage.

SECT. 1.—Tillage.

THE arable lands of this county being under various ſyſtems, and directed by various opinions, the manage⯑ment of the tillage muſt differ conſiderably.—In the oper⯑ation of ploughing, it is generally agreed that the breadth of the furrow ſhould be about 9 inches, and the depth from 4 to 6 or 7 inches.

It was formerly the general practice not to plough the lands intended for fallow till after Spring ſeed-time, (and very often delayed till May, or even June) but now the fallows are ploughed before Winter, to meliorate by the froſt.—In the middle of April or beginning of May, thoſe that are intended for turnips or potatoes are harrow⯑ed [60]and ploughed acroſs, and, where neceſſary, rolled with a heavy roller; the ſame operations are repeated two, or three, or more times, until it is thought ſufficiently fine and clean for ſowing or planting.

Thoſe that are intended to be naked ſallow for wheat, receive three, four, of five ploughings through the Sum⯑mer; but are ſeldom harrowed, it being thought an ad⯑vantage to wheat to have the land cloddy.

On thoſe fallows where quickens or couch graſs, &c. are found, every exertion is uſed to extirpate them, by harrowing, gathering and burning, or leading off, ſo long as the ſmalleſt remains are viſible. The lime and manure are moſtly laid on before the laſt ploughing.

For barley, it is the general cuſtom to plough only once; but the beſt cultivators ſeldom ſow this grain with⯑out giving two or three ploughings, eſpecially when the land is to be ſown with clover and graſs feeds.

Every other ſpecies of grain is ſown after one plough⯑ing, except when beans or peaſe are to be drilled.

Trench Ploughing, is practiſed by a few; it is an excel⯑len mode for breaking up graſs lands, and is performed by two ploughs following each other in the ſame furrow; the firſt plough paring off the ſurface, from 1 to 1½ inches thick, and turning it into the bottom of the laſt-made furrow: While the ſecond plough, going 3 or 4 inches deeper, turns upon it a ſod of friable earth, which being deſtitute of tough fibrous roots, harrows to a ſine mould with little difficulty.

This practice entirely obviates the objections to drilling upon clover lea, and the additional expence will not be more than 4s. per acre, which, put in competition with the advantages to be derived from it, will leave a conſider⯑able balance in favour of the practice: in breaking up old ſwards, on clayey lands, the expence is almoſt ſaved in the harrowing; on ſuch ſoils it will be found of great [61]ſervice, if they are thus ploughed in Autumn, they may be eaſily drilled with beans or peaſe in the Spring, and the ſubſequent hoeings performed with facility; operations that would be very difficult to perform, when ploughed in the manner uſually practiſed.

The Ridges are of various forms and ſizes.—On the deep ſoiled lands, that were uſed as arable ſome centuries ſince, the ridges are moſtly very high, broad, and crook⯑ed;^* upon lands that have been lately brought into cul⯑tivation, they are ſtraight, nearly flat, and in general a⯑bout twelve or fifteen feet broad; on dry lands, they are quite flat, and alternately gathered and ſplit. A breadth of fifteen feet anſwers beſt for ſowing broad-caſt at two caſts.

A few years ſince, the ploughing, and various other purpoſes, for which draughts are wanted upon a farm, were performed by horſes, which in ploughing or harrow⯑ing are always yoked double, and driven with cords by the ploughman, and in general plough an acre a day; but in the ſeaſon of ſowing turnips, one and a half, or even two acres, are frequently ploughed, on fine light ſoils. But ſince the great advance in the price of horſes, oxen have been more uſed, eſpecially for the purpoſes of ploughing, and carting about home.

They are harneſſed both with yokes and collars. Where three or four are uſed, a boy is allowed to drive; when two,^† the man that holds the plough drives with cords. They only plough half a day at a time; one half of a team being uſed in the forenoon, and the other in the afternoon.

SECT. 2.—Fallowing.

The practice of making naked fallows on all kinds of ſoils, once in 3 or 4 years, was general thro' this county, till the introduction of turnips; in a few years the fallows of the dry lands were covered with this valuable plant. On ſuch other ſoils as were found improper for this root, the naked fallows ſtill prevail, with an almoſt univerſal opinion, that it is abſolutely neceſſary to the fertility of the land; yet there are ſome few who dare to doubt this long-eſtabliſhed doctrine, and preſume to think, that na⯑ked fallows might be diſpenſed with in many ſituations, by cultivating leguminous crops, drilled at wide intervals, to admit being ploughed, or horſe-hoed between: to which, if proper hand-hoeings be added, the land will be as well pre⯑pared for wheat, as if it had been a compleat naked fallow.

This is not advanced on ſpeculation or theory; inſtan⯑ces can be produced, where no naked fallows have been made on fields of ſtrong loam for 12 years, yet they are as clear of quickens, couch-graſs, or other pernicious weeds, as any fields in the diſtrict, that have been under naked fallow two or three times in the ſame period.^*

Whether fallowing is or is not neceſſary, has been much agitated of late years; ſo much ſo, that the diffe⯑rent partiſans have obtained the appellation of "fallow⯑eſts," and "antifalloweſts:" It happens to be one of thoſe ſubjects which can never be determined by reaſoning, o⯑pinions, or bold aſſertions; fair experiments only can reſolve it; and whatever may be the reſults of ſuch ex⯑periments, [63]it may be juſtly concluded, they will be the ſame in ſimilar ſoils, climates, and ſituations.

Tho' we are diffident in giving a decided opinion up⯑on ſo important a ſubject, yet from obſervations made on the above facts, we cannot help being inclined to think, that the quantity of maked fallow might be very much reduced, and in another century will probably be totally aboliſhed, if no fortuitous circumſtances ariſe to check the exertions and ſpirit for improvement, which have been ſo prevalent of late years, and ſo generally dif⯑fuſed thro' this diſtrict.

SECT. 3.—Rotation of Crops.

The moſt prevailing rotation was,

• 1 fallow
• 2 wheat
• 3 oats
• 4 fallow, &c.

repeated for two, three, or four fallowings:—Upon the ſtrong lands along the ſea-coaſt, inſtead of oats after wheat, they generally ſubſtitute peaſe or beans, or beans and peaſe mixed; when laid down to graſs, it is ſown with graſs ſeeds, and continued in graſs ſeven or more years.

On dry ſoils, after ploughing out from graſs, the rota⯑tion was,

• 1 Oats
• 2 Oats
• 3 Turnips, ſown broad-caſt, limed and dung⯑ed and twice hand-hoed.
• 4 Barley or wheat, ſown up with clover and ray-graſs, and continued in graſs from four to ſeven, or more years, depaſtured principally with ſheep.

The beſt cultivators uſe the following rotations, accor⯑ding to ſoil, ſituation, and circumſtances.

• 1 Fallow
• 2 Wheat
• 3 Clover for 1 or 2 years, depaſtured with [64]ſheep.
• 4 Beans or peaſe.

• 1 Turnips, drilled at 30 inches intervals.
• 2 Barley
• 3, 4, Clover and graſs ſeeds; for 2 or 3 years, depaſtured with ſheep, and a ſmall proportion of cattle.
• 5 Oats
• 6 Beans, or peaſe, drilled at 30 ins. in⯑tervals, horſe and hand-hoed.
• 7 Wheat, drilled from 9 to 12 ins. inter⯑vals, horſe and hand-hoed.

Sandy and dry light loams,—after being ploughed out from graſs,

• 1 Oats.
• 2 Turnips, drilled at 30 ins. intervals.
• 3 Barley or wheat, drilled from 9 to 12 ins. intervals, hoed and ſown up with clover and graſs-ſeeds, depaſtu⯑red with ſheep, (and a ſmall propor⯑tion of cattle) for three or more years.

This laſt rotation has been practiſed of late years, and is becoming more general, not only upon the turnip ſoils, but upon the ſtrong clayey lands, ſubſtituting naked fal⯑lows, or beans drilled at 30 ins. intervals, inſtead of tur⯑nips; and thoſe who have tried it on ſuch ſtrong lands, find, that after two or three years clover and graſs ſeeds, depaſtured with ſheep, the land will grow good crops of oats, which they could never get it to do under their old ſyſtem.

Thoſe who have practiſed the Norfolk ſyſtem on thin light ſoils, find their crops grow worſe, eſpecially the tur⯑nips and clover, and many have been obliged to adopt this ſyſtem, by which they find their lands renovated; [65]and, inſtead of having to complain, that their ſoil was "tired of turnips and clover,' they now find, that it pro⯑duces abundant crops, and that every rotation brings it nearer its former fertility.

SECT. 4.—Crops commonly cultivated.

SECT. 5.—Crops not commonly cultivated.

Ruta Baga—has been tried by a few; but not ſo long as is neceſſary to draw any poſitive concluſions reſpecting its comparative merits. With us, it is not near ſo valua⯑ble as the common turnip. Hares are remarkably fond of it, and will not touch the other turnips while there is one of theſe in the field.

Rape—is ſeldom grown for feed, and perhaps not ſo often for ſheep as it ought, on lands improper for turnips. Upon lands that have grown early oats, and are intended for fallow next year, it is ſometimes ſown in September, as ſpring ſeed for ſheep, to ſupply the vacancy between turnips and clover. For this purpoſe a little rye is ſown along with it.

Cabbages—were cultivated, but gave way again to tur⯑nips; it being thought that the latter anſwer as good a purpoſe, and are obtained with leſs trouble.

Carrots—have been frequently tried; but have hither-to made little or no progreſs, probably from the great trouble attending their cultivation, compared with pota⯑toes; which in ſome meaſure anſwer the ſame intention as food for horſes.

Flax—was formerly cultivated in ſmall quantities for family uſe, but is now in a great meaſure given up; it hav⯑ing been found, that land which had grown flax was ſo much impoveriſhed, as to require an extra manuring, be⯑fore it could be brought to the ſame ſtate of fertility as the reſt of the field.

Woad, (Iſatis Tinctoria.)—This plant, the leaves of [94]which are ſo uſeful in dying,^* is cultivated at Newburn only, on the banks of the Tyne, by Meſſrs Rait, Pollock, and Dun.

The ground is ploughed with a deep furrow before Winter, and made as fine as poſſible againſt April, in which month it is ſown, at the rate of 6 buſhels per acre, broad-caſt; in about a fortnight after it makes its appear⯑ance above ground, particular care is taken to keep it clear of weeds, which is done by boys and girls from 10 to 14 years of age;^† who have each a ſpade about 5 inches long and 4 inches broad, which they uſe with one hand to dig up the weeds, and with the other gather them; this pro⯑ceſs is repeated two or three times before cropping; which is done by wringing off the leaves of the plant with their hands, and putting them in baſkets.—The firſt crop is generally gathered the latter end of July; the ſecond, the laſt week in September, and the third in November; but this is only from off ſuch parts where the ſecond crop was gathered firſt: It is carried from the field in carts to the mill, where it is ground into a green paſte, and made into balls about 3 inches diameter, when it is ſet upon ranges under ſheds to dry, which is done in two or three weeks; after this it is put into the houſe or pen, and kept till all the fields are gathered, and afterwards manufactured.^‡

SECT. 6.—Corn Harveſt.

The Corn Harveſt—in the vale of Till, and upon Tyne⯑ſide near Hexham, frequently begins the firſt week in Auguſt; while upon the cold backward ſoils and ſituations, oats will be often uncut the latter end of October, or be⯑ginning of November; but the moſt general harveſt is in September. Moſt of the corn is cut with ſickles, by wo⯑men; ſeven of whom, with a man to bind after them, generally reap two acres per day—Oats and barley are ſometimes mown.

Wheat is ſet up in ſtooks of twelve ſheaves each: oats and barley are ("gated,") ſet up in ſingle ſheaves; and when dry, bound tight at the bottom, and led home, or ſet up in ſtooks of ten ſheaves each. The ſtacks are moſt⯑ly round; but ſome of the beſt farmers ſet up their barley and wheat in long narrow ſtacks, which keep the corn much better and dryer: And the practice of placing corn upon ſtone pillars, with a cap or cover over them (to keep out the mice) and a frame of wood over all, is gaining ground, and cannot be too much recommended, as it not only prevents the mice getting to it, but keeps the corn dry and airy: It is an excellent method for grain that is to be kept until Summer; and one principal advantage is, that wheat may be led from the field and ſet upon thoſe ſtands almoſt as ſoon as reaped — They are made both round and oblong, but moſt of the latter.

SECT. 1.— Natural Meadows and Paſtures.

WHAT is generally underſtood by natural meadows, are ſuch lands as are overflowed by rivers, and produce a crop of hay every year, without any returns of manure: Of this deſcription of meadows we have very few in this county; what are called meadows here, are ſuch old graſs lands as are employed for growing hay almoſt every year, the greateſt part of which are uplands: To enable them to ſtand this ſevere cropping, they are, or ought to be, manured on the ſurface, every third or fourth year: if this operation be neglected, they impoveriſh very faſt. Where they cannot conveniently be dunged as above, they are depaſtured one year, and mown the other; or, what is better, depaſtured two years, and mown the third; the produce, from 1 to 1½ tons per acre, a fair crop; the aftermath (or "Fog") is frequently let from 10 to 15 ſhillings per acre, and is moſtly conſumed in fattening oxen and cows.

Lands that are intended for meadow, are "freed" (from being depaſtured with any kind of ſtock) at differ⯑ent times in the ſpring, from the beginning of April to the middle of May, as beſt ſuits the convenience of the occupier; particular attention is paid to the mole-hills, dung, &c. being "ſcaled," ^* and the ſtones and other matters that might obſtruct the operations of the ſcythe, are carefully gathered off.

[97] Natural Paſtures, or old graſs land, are moſt prevalent along the ſea coaſt, theſe are depaſtured with both ſheep and oxen; the general mode of ſtinting being two acres to an ox, and the ſame quantity of ground to 8 or 10 ſheep, thro' the Summer, and from 1 to 2 ſheep per acre thro' the Winter; the latter are either the ſtore flock, or ewes for fat lambs.—Sometimes Cheviot wethers 3½ years old in good condition, are put in thoſe paſtures after the fat⯑ting cattle are taken out, and pay well if they get ſuffi⯑ciently fat to be ſold to the butchers about Chriſtmas.

SECT. 2.—Artificial Graſſes.

The Artificial Graſſes moſt commonly cultivated in this county are, red clover, (trifolium pratenſe,) white clover, (trifolium repens,) and ray-graſs (lolium perenne:) with theſe ſome people mix rib-graſs (plantago lanceolata) and upon ſandy ſoils, hop-medic^* (medicago lupulina) is ſown with ſucceſs.—Few of theſe graſſes are ever grown alone, except red clover, when intended to continue only one year; and even then, a ſmall portion of ray-graſs (from one to three gallons per acre) is generally ſown with it, we think with much propriety, as it not only comes early in the ſpring, but thickens the crop, and facilitates mak⯑ing the clover into hay.

But when land is intended to continue for three or more years in graſs, they are generally mixed in the pro⯑portion of eight or ten pounds of red clover, four pounds of white clover, and half a buſhel of ray-graſs per acre: to the above quantities are ſometimes added three or four pounds of rib-graſs, and hop-medic, as the ſoil ſuits. When red clover is grown alone, 10 or 12 pounds an acre are ſown upon dry friable ſoils, and from 14 to 18 [98]pounds upon ſtrong loams or clays. They are ſown in March, April, and May, upon lands fallowed the ſummer preceding for wheat, or turnips ſucceeded by barley, and ought always to be harrowed in, as well as rolled. Harrowing is particularly neceſſary upon ſtrong lands growing wheat; and acroſs the ridges is the beſt mode of performing the operation. We find, that where corn is drilled, and the intervals hoed, it pulverizes the ſoil, and makes the fineſt preparation for graſs ſeeds of all others: where this is properly done, and harrowed once acroſs, after the ſeeds are ſown, they ſeldom or never miſs; long experience having proved, that nothing requires a finer tilth than clover and graſs ſeeds:—Upon the beſt ſoils, the clover and ray-graſs mixed, are generally ready to depaſture with fat ſheep by the beginning of April, and from May, through the Summer, will carry ſix or eight ſheep per acre, according to the luxuriance of the crop and fertility of the ſoil; the ſecond and remaining years, they are depaſtured by the ſtore flock. Theſe paſtures are frequently mown when the ray-graſs begins to flow⯑er, which not only increaſes the bottom graſs, but a quantity of excellent hay is obtained, of conſiderable value.

When the clovers are not depaſtured, but kept for hay, they are generally mown about the latter end of June; the average produce about 2 tons per acre. The ſecond crop is rarely cut for hay, but depaſtured by cattle or ſheep, chiefly the latter: When cattle are put into a freſh clover "fog," eſpecially in wet weather, they ſometimes hove, by the ſudden fermentation of the clover; to pre⯑vent this inconvenience, cattle are put upon it in the mid⯑dle of the day, when it is free from dew or any moiſture, they being firſt filled with natural graſs, which hinders them from eating ſo greedily, as if put on hungry; if the clover once paſs, they ſeldom take any harm after⯑wards: [99]by uſing this precaution, we have not had any cattle hoven, for ſeveral years.—When very much ſwelled, an inſtrument is uſed, (ſimilar to that uſed by ſur⯑geons in tapping for the dropſy) it is ſo contrived, that after being thruſt in between the hip and rib, (on the near ſide) one part pulls out, while a tube remains in the ori⯑fice, thro' which an amazing quantity of fetid air eſcapes, and relieves the animal; but they are very apt to hove again afterwards.

We have heard of hoven cattle being relieved, by giv⯑ing them an egg ſhell full of tar.

The practice of keeping horſes in the houſe, ſheds, or fold-yards, all Summer, upon cut clover, tares, &c. was introduced into this county, about the year 1770; it is now generally adopted by the beſt farmers, who find their horſes thrive better; are cheaper kept than depaſ⯑turing at large; and alſo, that a quantity of manure is gained by this means, which otherwiſe would have been in a great meaſure loſt, or of very little uſe; as the dung of horſes, when dropped in paſtures, is moſtly deſtroyed by inſects, in the Summer ſeaſon.—An acre of good clo⯑ver uſed in this manner, will keep from 2 to 3 horſes, from the beginning of June till the end of October, a⯑bout 20 weeks.

Saintfoin, Lucern, and Chicory, have been tried on a ſmall ſcale, but do not ſeem to come into general uſe; the crops of clover being thought more valuable.

In order to draw any fair comparative value between the produce of old graſs lands and artificial graſſes, the ſoil and ſituation ought to be exactly alike, and experi⯑ments accurately conducted; for want of ſuch data, no juſt concluſions can be made; but we believe, that gener⯑al obſervation and experience have eſtabliſhed an opinion, that the ſame lands which in a ſtate of old graſs carried 3 ſheep an acre, will, for the firſt year of clover and ray⯑graſs, [100]graſs, depaſture 5 or 6; on rich, old grazing paſtures, the difference will probably not be ſo great, and what they fall ſhort in Summer, will be made up by their ſuperiority in Winter; on clayey ſoils, it would certainly be a dan⯑gerous experiment to convert thoſe rich grazing paſtures into tillage, as a certain portion of ſuch is a valuable ac⯑quiſition to every farm; but they are ſo rarely ſcattered, that few farms are ſo fortunate as to enjoy ſo deſirable an appendage.

SECT. 3—Hay Harveſt.

The hay harveſt is ſeldom begun before the middle of June. The mowers cut from half an acre to three quar⯑ters a day, and that very ill; the hay-makers are equally indolent and inactive. After the graſs is cut it is by ſome tedded, ſtrewed, or ſpread abroad, and repeatedly turned till dry;^* others, the day after it has been tedded or ſtrewed, put in into foot cocks (wappings) which can ſcarcely be too ſmall; (if the weather keeps dry it is in two days more, put into large cocks;) if the weather proves wet, we know no mode by which it will ſave bet⯑ter, or waſte the ſmell leſs, as the rain paſſes thro' them, and a ſmall quantity of air or ſun dries them again, or they are eaſily turned over.—In either mode, when ſuffi⯑ciently dry, it is put into ricklets (provincially pikes) of about half a ton each in the field; which ſtand there for two, three, or more weeks, until a convenient opportuni⯑ty offers for leading them home, to be put into one large ſtack. In theſe ricklets, the hay takes a firſt ſweating, which prevents its heating when put into larger maſſes.

For the purpoſe of drawing it together to be put into pikes, or ricklets, it is either cocked, or put into large [101]heaps, which are trailed in by one horſe, yoked to the ends of a long rope, put round the bottoms of thoſe cocks or heaps; upon the hind part of which, a boy gets with his feet, to keep it down, and prevent its ſlipping over the top of the hay; when arrived at the place want⯑ed, one end of the rope is taken off the hook at the horſes ſhoulder, and being thus looſened at one end, the horſe moves forward, when the rope draws thro' under the hay and leaves it.

When the hay is neither put into cocks, nor large heaps, but remains in a thick row, t [...]is then neceſſary to uſe two horſes, viz.:—One yoked to each end of a ſtrong ſweeping rope; and two perſons to get upon the rope with their feet, one on each ſide the row, who reſt with their arms upon the hay, and ſtep forward on the rope as the hay gathers. To prevent the hay from ſlipping off behind, a ſmall cord is faſtened to the hind part of the ſweeping rope; and extended to each perſon's hand, which they let out as they ſtep forward, or find other⯑wiſe neceſſary. By either of the above modes, the hay grown upon a field of 8 or 10 acres may be drawn to⯑gether in a few hours, and is much more expeditious than either fledges or carts.

When the large ſtack is made in the field, the "Pikes," are drawn to it, by putting a ſtrong rope round their bot⯑tom, the two ends of which are faſtened to the hind part of a cart, in which are yoked 3 or 4 horſes.—This ſaves the trouble of forking and loading them in carts, and is done in much leſs time.

SECT. 4—Feeding.

O [...]n.—are moſtly grazed in the eaſtern part of the county, and a few in the vicinity of Whittingham; they are bought in May or June, and ſold as they become ready, to ſupply the large fleets of colliers and other trad⯑ing [102]veſſels belonging to Newcaſtle, Shields, Sunderland, Hartley, and Blythe.

Some few graziers buy only ſuch oxen as are forward by having got turnips in the Spring: theſe generally go off in June, and are followed by cows, heifers, or kyloes;^* of which, thoſe that do not get fat on the paſ⯑ture, to be ſold thro' the Summer, are put upon fogs (aftermaths) and ſold in November and December. The cows are alſo bought in the ſpring months, and are chief⯑ly uſed for home conſumption. The kyloes are bought at Falkirk-Tryſts, ("meetings") or at Newcaſtle Fair, in the Autumn, and wintered upon coarſe, rough ground or ſtraw: (ſometimes a few turnips are given in the Spring) and are ſold all thro' the Summer, as they become fit for the butcher, to ſupply Newcaſtle and other markets. Thoſe that are ready to go off in June, always leave the moſt profit; beef being frequently ſold at that ſeaſon for a ſhilling a ſtone more than the ordinary prices.

The profit of grazing, like all other ſpeculations, varies with circumſtances; but we believe we may venture to a⯑verage it at 3l. or 3l. 10s. for keeping on graſs from May-day to Michaelmas. Cows, in general, leave more than oxen, in proportion to their weight; but they are ſubject to diſorders of the udder, that frequently reduce the profit, and deter many people from grazing them.

Some few graziers follow the old cuſtom of keeping on⯑ly one kind of ſtock upon the ſame ground; whilſt others, we think with more propriety, intermix with oxen and cows, a few ſheep, and two or three colts in each paſture; which both turn to good account, and do little injury to the grazing cattle: In ſome caſes, ſheep are a real benefit, by eating down and deſtroying the ragwort (Senecio [103]Jacobaeo) which diſgraces ſome of the beſt paſtures in the county, where oxen only are grazed.

Sheep, that have been wintered upon turnips, are put to the earlieſt graſs that can be obtained; the clovers and ray-graſs are generally ready in April; the old graſs lands not before May: In both ſituations they are continued till ſhorn, and ſold off, from the latter end of May, thro' all June and part of July, from 2l. to 2l. 15s. each. In 1797 the prices were from 2l. 10s. to 3l. 10s each: The draft ewes, or ſhearling wethers intended for turnips next Winter, ſucceed them, and thus a regular rotation is kept up. Of late years, ſome farmers have ſold their ſhearling wethers in July, (when only 15 months old) to the butch⯑ers, for as high prices, as from 30 to 35 ſhillings each. In 1796, they ſold from 40 to 45 ſhillings each; and in 1797, as high as 50 ſhillings, after ſhearing a fleece worth 6 ſhillings.

A large portion of the lands of this county being liable to the rot, and unſafe for a breeding flock, the occupiers of ſuch ſituations, venture ewes for fat lambs for one year; theſe are bought in the Autumn, put to tup early, (ſome in Auguſt) the lambs ſold in May, June, and July; after which the ewes are fatted, and ſold in October and Nov⯑ember.—Such lambs as are early, and go off in May, oft⯑en ſell for 20 ſhillings each; but the others average at a⯑bout 12s. 6d. The price of fat ewes depends much on their being of a good or ſlow feeding ſort, and will vary from 24 to 30 ſhillings: The average may be called 27 ſhillings.—The proceeds from long-woolled ewes will be:

The profits of thoſe that have lambs, ſold at 20s. will be 1l. 12s.

The Cheviot ewes are generally put to a large long-woolled tup, which increaſes the ſize of the lambs: The proceeds are:

Mr Hay of Leſbury, and Mr Watſon of Waren, not having ſo ready a market for the great quantities of bran, pollard and oat-chimmings, which their extenſive manu⯑factures of flour and oat-meal produce, have applied it to feeding different kinds of ſtock; they both agree that for feeding pigs, it is of little value; one of the gentlemen ſays, that from ſome experiments he had read, he was in⯑duced to enter largely on the buſineſs, and perſevered in it, till he loſt upwards of a thouſand pounds.

For Horſes—they both think it very valuable along with hay or ſtraw, inſtead of corn; Mr Watſon allows his horſes 6 buſhels of bran, or 4 buſhels of pollard, and 2 of [105]oat ſeeds per week, the average price of which is about 5 ſhillings; the horſes are in high condition, and ſleek as ravens, but not more ſo than thoſe that have 2⅕ buſhels of oats per week, the price of which at 2s. per buſhel is equal to the value of the bran.

For Cattle—Mr Hay ſays, that "in the beginning of October, I tie up my cattle in ſheds, and place before every beaſt a crib for bran, and another for turnips, and to each give a peck of pollard, morning and evening, with full allowance of turnips, well cleanſed and topped; I fre⯑quently mix oat ſheeling ſeeds and oat duſt, which makes them fonder of the pollard, if ſtale or old kept. Three months ſtall-feeding in this way is equal to 6 months in the uſual way."

In order to form ſome idea of the utility of the above mode, we muſt eſtimate the expence of the pollard, in ad⯑dition to the full allowance of turnips: pollard being a finer kind of bran, is ſold for 2d. a buſhel more; of courſe when bran is 10d. per buſhel, pollard will be 1s. and al⯑lowing that an ox will fatten as much in 10 weeks with the above keeping, as he will in 20 by the common mode, the account will ſtand thus:

[106]Hence it appears that feeding with pollard and tur⯑nips is not cheaper than the common mode, even allow⯑ing that it is done in half the time.

Mr Watſon put 6 oxen into a fold-yard (with a ſhed in it) on the 20th of May; in 7 weeks they had eaten 360 buſhels of bran and oat ſeeds mixed, with which they had for the firſt three weeks coarſe hay, the other four, cut clover. With this their cribs were kept conſtantly full: The value of bran and oat ſeeds amounts to about 6s. per per week each beaſt; of the hay and clover no account was kept, but it cannot be eſtimated at leſs than 1s. which makes with attendance 7s. per week each beaſt; near double the expence of graſs, and more than the improve⯑ment of the cattle would pay, tho' they were certainly in very thriving condition.

Mr Watſon once attempted to keep two heifers on bran only; they grew worſe and worſe, and were obliged to have other food; when they got graſs, they eat much more bran than when they got bran alone.

For Sheep,—theſe gentlemen allow 7 buſhels per week per ſcore, to their ſtore ewes on graſs, that is 5s. 10d. per week, or 3½d. per ſheep beſides graſs.

Mr Hay wintered 150 ewes on 38 acres; they had 53 buſhels per week of bran; but this land would have win⯑tered 70 ewes without any aſſiſtance, therefore the bran was applied to the ſupport of the 80 additional ewes; of courſe the expences per week will be

which is near double the price uſually paid for turnips.

[107]Mr Watſon is ſummering 175 ewes on Spindleſton-Hill (a bare rocky paſture); to this flock he allows 16 buſhels of bran per day, or 112 buſhels per week, which at 10d. per buſhel, is 6¼d. per week per ſheep, beſides the graſs; they are in excellent condition, but it is a price for keep⯑ing ſtore ewes that moſt farmers would ſtate at.

To a flock of 65, year-old fat wethers, he gives 42 buſhels of bran per week, which is near 6½d. per week per ſheep; they are depaſtured upon good land, at the rate of about 7 ſheep an acre, which is ſcarcely double the number the ſame ground would keep equally well with⯑out bran, of courſe theſe ſheep coſt above 1s. per week per ſheep, a price that the appearance of the ſheep does by no means promiſe to repay.

Theſe are all the facts that have come to our know⯑ledge, reſpecting feeding with bran; from which it ap⯑pears that it is not ſo beneficial a practice as had been re⯑preſented to the Board.

SECT. 1.—Draining.

DRAINING—is one of thoſe improvements that has lately made its way into Northumberland, and is now moſtly practiſed in the middle and northern parts of the county; the theory is pretty well underſtood in thoſe diſ⯑tricts, and the practice is becoming more prevalent every year. Hollow drains are generally uſed, filled with ſtones, where they can be got; where theſe cannot be obtained, [112](but at a great expence) ſod drains are the only reſource, eſpecially in the northern parts, where there is little wood.

SECT. 2—Paring and Burning.

Paring and Burning is not much practiſed in the eaſtern and northern parts of the county; in the midland and ſouthern parts it is moſt prevalent, but even there it is confined to old ſwards, and coarſe, rough, ruſhey and heathy lands; for the firſt breaking-up of ſuch ground, it is certainly very convenient, and preferable to any other mode we have ever ſeen; but tho' we are fully con⯑vinced of its beneficial effects in ſuch ſituations, yet we have our doubts whether it could be uſed with advantage upon lands that have lain a few years in graſs, and that would produce good crops of grain immediately on being ploughed out, which is not the caſe with coarſe, rough, heathy lands, or even very old ſwards on rich fertile ſoils; it being found that crops on the latter, are frequently very much injured by "leaping" for two or three years; which paring and burning entirely obviates, and enſures full crops to the farmer; who need not be under any ap⯑prehenſion of his ſoil being ruined by it, provided he purſues the following courſe:—

• 1. Turnips.—
• 2. Oats.—
• 3. Fallow, well limed for turnips.—
• 4. Barley,

ſown up with clover and graſs ſeeds, and depaſtured with ſheep for three or four years, and afterwards (if not intended to lie in graſs) continue it in the rotation mentioned page 64: It is the injudicious cropping, more than the ill effects derived from paring and burning, that has been the chief cauſe of bringing ſuch an odium on this practice, which is certain⯑ly an excellent one in ſome ſituations, and properly conducted; but like the fermented juice of the grape, may be too oft⯑en repeated and improperly applied.

The popular clamour againſt this practice, "that it de⯑ſtroys the ſoil," we can by no means admit; and are inclin⯑ed [113]to believe, that not a ſingle atom of ſoil is abſtracted, though the bulk of the ſod or turf be diminiſhed: this ariſes from the burning of the roots or vegetable ſubſtances, which, by this proceſs afford a conſiderable portion of Alkaline Salts, phlogiſtic or carbonic matter, and pro⯑bably other principles friendly to vegetation; as we find thoſe aſhes produce abundant crops of turnips, which fatten, ſtock much quicker than thoſe after any other dreſſing or manure we have ever ſeen, and the ſuc⯑ceeding crops of corn are ſo very luxuriant, as to tempt the injudicious cultivator to purſue it too far; and for the ſake of temporary gain, may be ſaid to rip it up, as the boy did with his gooſe that layed golden eggs.

SECT. 3.—Manuring.

In ſome parts of this county, where the turnip culture is carried to ſuch extent, every exertion of ingenuity is practiſed to raiſe a large portion of Farm Yard Dung: for without this valuable article, it is well known that good turnip crops are not to be expected, and the farmers of ſtrong ſoils are ſufficiently ſenſible of the advantage of dung to their crops, not to uſe every endeavour to increaſe its quantity.

The farmers of turnip ſoils, in order to have their dung ſufficiently rotted, lead it out of the fold yard in the win⯑ter, make it up in large dunghills in order to increaſe the putrefactive proceſs, and prepare it for that ſtate of diſſo⯑lution, by which its component parts are ready to be aſſimilated into new bodies; and in which ſtate only, is can be of uſe in vegetation.

Upon the hill-farms around Cheviot, we have been oft⯑en ſurprized, to ſee at the doors of the ſhepherds' houſes, ſuch immenſe dunghills, the accumulation of unnumber⯑ed years, probably centuries: to avoid this increaſing nuiſance, many of them have ingeniouſly contrived to build [114]their houſes near a "Burn ſide" for the convenience of having it taken away by every flood: notwithſtanding they have lands adjoining, upon which, if this manure was pro⯑perly applied, the greateſt improvements would enſue, and conſiderable quantities of excellent hay be produced, for the ſupport of the flocks in winter ſtorms, in which ſeaſons they are very often under the neceſſity of pur⯑chaſing hay in the Lowlands, and of having it conveyed on horſe-back to the top of theſe hills in the deepeſt ſnows, at a very great expence.^*

Lime—is found in many parts of this county, of an ex⯑cellent quality. In Bambro' Ward, where it has been long uſed, many intelligent farmers begin to doubt of its efficacy, and the propriety of continuing to lay it upon their old tillage lands. Upon the dry ſoils in Glendale Ward, where it has not been uſed much above 40 years,^† its effects are more conſpicuous, eſpecially upon ſuch lands as have been ſeldom or never limed. In its natural ſtate, the ſoil of this diſtrict is dry, duffy, light, full of fibrous, roots, and when in fallow, on paſſing over it, you ſink to the ancles; after being ſufficiently limed, the fibrous roots diſappear, the ſoil becomes denſer, firm to the tread, retentive of moiſture, and produces better and more abun⯑dant crops of grain than before: when laid to graſs, the effects of the lime appear to an inch, by the ſuperior ver⯑dure [115]which takes place as far as it has gone.^* Many of theſe dry ſoils, after being limed, grow white clover na⯑turally; where not limed, it ſeldom appears; but they cover principally with agroſtis capillaris (fine bent,) which is ſeldom eaten by any kind of ſtock, if they can get o⯑ther food: When land has been ſufficiently limed, this plant diſappears; and wherever it is found, it may be ſafely concluded, that the ſoil on which it grows has not had its due quantity of lime.

About ſeven years ſince Mr George Reed, of South-Middleton near Wooler, cleared from broom, 30 or 40 acres of light, dry, channelly ſoil, that had never been limed, which was ſown with rye; the rye ſtubble was ploughed in the Autumn, and the worſt part of it limed at the rate of 100 buſhels per acre; next Summer the whole was drilled with turnips (dunged &c. as deſcribed page 89) which came up all alike, and continued to do e⯑qually well for three or four weeks; but little or no rain falling in that period, and the weather continuing droughty, thoſe turnips upon the land which had no lime, [116]died away; whilſt thoſe upon that part which was limed were diſcernible to an inch, flouriſhed with unabated vigour, and produced an excellent crop, (for ſuch land) worth at leaſt 4l 10s. an acre; many ſimilar inſtances might be produced, but this is the moſt ſtriking we re⯑collect to have noted.

The made of burning lime, in this county, is moſtly in draw-kilns, of the form of an inverted cone, with two or three eyes or mouths for drawing out the lime, and ad⯑mitting air: Theſe kilns are kept burning and drawing perpetually. Some of the large ſale kilns will afford 40 or 50 cart load a day: A cart load of coals is reckoned to burn two cart loads of lime.

The Price, at the kilns, is from 3s. to 4s. 6d. for 25 upheaped buſhels.

The Quantity, laid upon an acre, is from 75 to 150 buſhels.

The general practice of uſing lime, is to lay it up in heaps of three or four cart loads each; and as ſoon as the clods are fallen, ſlacked, or reduced to the ſtate of quick-lime, it is ſpread evenly upon the land, and harrowed and ploughed in as ſoon as poſſible after: ſometimes, inſtead of laying it up in heaps of 3 or 4 cart loads each, it is laid upon the land in the clod ſtate, in little heaps of about a buſhel each, which are covered with earth until ſufficient⯑ly flacked or fallen, and then ſpread abroad.

In either mode, or in whatever manner lime is applied, it certainly has the greateſt effect, when both it and the ſoil are in the moſt pulverized ſtate.

Upon the turnip ſoils where very large quantities of lime are uſed, it would be extremely difficult to get a ſufficiency in the early part of Summer, previous to the turnip ſeaſon; in ſuch ſituations, it is uſual to lead as much as poſſible thro' the Summer and Autumn, which [117]is laid up in very large heaps (from 50 to 150 loads each) and before Winter covered with ſods, or thatched with ſtraw, to prevent the rain from penetrating it: If well ſe⯑cured, it is found in a very quick ſtate, in the Spring, ſome⯑times a great portion of it remaining unſlacked.

The opinions reſpecting the good or ill effects of lime, are exceedingly various; ſome aſſerting that it can never be uſed in too large a quantity; whilſt others contend, it is of no uſe whatever: Our own practice authorizes us to ſay, that upon ſome ſoils, the application of lime, (or calca⯑reous earth in ſome other form) in conſiderable quantities, is abſolutely neceſſary, in order to bring them to their moſt fertile ſtate, and to prepare them for the action of other manures; whilſt upon other ſoils, lime produces no ſen⯑ſible effect, and if uſed in large quantities, will prove very detrimental.—Thus may one of the moſt valuable appli⯑cations we know, for the improvement of many ſoils, be condemned, by thoſe who draw poſitive concluſions, from partial obſervations of facts. The practice of paring and burning, we believe, owes the opprobrium, which ſome have thrown upon it, to a ſimilar mode of reaſoning.

Stone Marl, has formerly been uſed in conſiderable quantities, near Tweedſide, but the more immediate effects of lime have entirely ſet aſide the uſe of ſtone marl.

Shell Marl is uſed with great advantage, at the rate of 20 or 30 cart loads an acre, on the farms of Wark, Sun⯑nylaws, and Learmouth.

Sea Wrack, Sea Ware, or Marine Plants—driven a⯑ſhore by the tide, are uſed with great effect, wherever they can be had. Of theſe the fucus veſiculoſus, and its rela⯑tives F. ſerratus and inflatus, (Skeir Ware) are not held in much eſtimation, and when uſed, require to be laid up in large heaps to putrify. If laid upon the land, as the others [118]are, when taken immediately from the ſhore, they dry, and turn to a black coriaceous ſubſtane. The fucus digitatus (Waſſels) is the great favourite, and another ſpecies called May-weed, which we cannot point out by its Linnaean name, not having had an opportunity of ſeeing it, but from the deſcriptions we have heard, ſuſpect it to be the young plants of the fucus digitatus.

Coal Aſhes—are chiefly uſed in the vicinity of the prin⯑cipal towns, as a dreſſing for graſs land; for this purpoſe they are found of conſiderable benefit, eſpecially upon ſtrong, coarſe, and wet lands.

SECT. 4.—Weeding.

Weeding corn is univerſally practiſed; the broad caſt crops are hand-weeded, in which operation the thiſtles (be⯑ing rather unpleaſant to handle) are in ſome parts drawn by a pair of large pliers ("nippers") with flat cheeks; in others they are cut over by a weeding hook, made in the form of a Λ, with ſharp edges on the inſide; but this mode of cutting is only a temporary relief, as they ſpring again very ſoon after: pulling up by the roots ought cer⯑tainly to be practiſed in every inſtance, as there is not a weed the farmer has to contend with, more difficult to eradicate than the corn thiſtle, (Carduus Arvenſis.)

The drilled crops, are both horſe and hand hoed, at leaſt twice each, and with ſo much attention, that no kind of weeds are ſuſſered to remain; the whole being kept in the cleaneſt and compleateſt garden-like culture.

The moſt prevalent weeds, that give the Northumbrian huſbandman the greateſt trouble, are: [119]

• Triticum repens— Couch Wheat. Theſe all go under the general names of Quickens, Couch, or Twitch graſs; the Holcus principally on light dry ſoils.
• Avena elatior— Tall Oat. ^* Theſe all go under the general names of Quickens, Couch, or Twitch graſs; the Holcus principally on light dry ſoils.
• Holcus mollis— Soft Holcus. Theſe all go under the general names of Quickens, Couch, or Twitch graſs; the Holcus principally on light dry ſoils.
• Seratulae arvenſis, or Corn Thiſtle.
• Carduus arvenſis.^† Corn Thiſtle.

• Sinapis arvenſis— Wild Muſtard. Charloc.
• Sinapis Alba— White Muſtard. Charloc.
• Raphanus Raphaniſtrum— Wild Radiſh. Charloc.
• Avena Fatua— Wild Oat.

Thoſe of leſs note, and more partial viſitants, are

• Galeopſis Tetrahit Hemp dead nettle
• Spergula arvenſis Corn Spurry
• Anthemis Cotula Stinking Camomile
• Polygonum Perſicaria Peachwort
• Ranunculus arvenſis Corn Crowfoot
• Lythoſpermum arvenſis Corn Gromil
• Veronica arvenſis Corn Speedwell
• Scandiae Pecten Veneris Shepherd's needle.

SECT. 5.—Watering.

Watered Meadows—were firſt introduced into this county by Meſſrs Culley, about 26 years ſince; and not⯑withſtanding the manifeſt advantages of this operation, yet ſo ſlow is knowledge in making its way, that it was near 20 years before any other perſon ventured to purſue the practice, and profit by the example: It is now begin⯑ning [120]to ſpread in the neighbourhood, and we hope in a few years will be adopted in every ſituation that can de⯑rive benefit from it

Sir William Lorrain, with a ſpirit that marks his wiſh for improvement, brought two men from Leiceſterſhire, to drain his grounds at Kirkharl. This buſineſs they ſeem to have underſtood and executed well; but we think they have miſled the worthy Baronet, in telling him they underſtood laying out land for watering. We were ſorry to ſee a firſt attempt executed in ſo bad a ſtyle, which may tend more to diſcourage the practice, than forward its introduction.

SECT. 6.—Embankments.

In the vicinity of Wooler, a large tract of low flat ground (called Haughs) adjoining the rivers Till and Glen, being ſubject to be frequently overſlowed, an at⯑tempt was firſt made to embank them at Yevering, in the year 1787 which anſwered the purpoſe, and ſoon after was adopted on the haughs of Turvilaws, Doddington, Ewart, &c by which the lands that could not be let for more than 15s. per acre (from the great hazard of loſing the crop) are now let for more than double the ſum.

The height of theſe banks is from 3 to 5 feet; the form is repreſented by a ſection fig. 6, pl. 5, where the height CE is 4 feet, the baſe BA 15 feet, BC 5 feet, and the ſlope next the water CA, 13 feet. The ſide BC was faced up with ſods the green ſide out, cut from the ditch D, out of which was dug the materials for forming the bank;^* and [121]the ſide CA, covered with green ſods pared from the baſe BA, previous to throwing up the earth.

The expence from 2s. to 3s. per rood of 7 yards.

SECT. 1.—Cattle.

THE different kinds of cattle bred in this county are the ſhort horned—the Devonſhire—the long-horned—and the wild cattle.

The ſhort horned kind have been long eſtabliſhed over the whole county, the other kinds are found only in the hands of a few individuals, who have introduced them with a laudable view of comparing their merits with the eſtabliſhed breed of the country.—They differ from the o⯑ther breeds, in the ſhortneſs of their horns, and in being wider and thicker in their form, conſequently feed to the moſt weight; in affording the greateſt quantity of tal⯑low when fatted, in having very thin hides, and much leſs hair^* upon them than any other breed (the Alderneys excepted); but the moſt eſſential difference conſiſts in the quantity of milk they give beyond moſt other breeds: there being inſtances of cows giving 36 quarts of milk per day, and of 48 firkins of butter being made from a dairy of 12 cows: but the more general quantity is 3 fir⯑kins per cow in a ſeaſon, and 24 quarts of milk per day: [122]Their colour is much varied, but they moſtly are an agreeable mixture of red and white. From their being in many places called the Dutch breed, it is probable they were originally brought from the Continent.

They have been much improved of late years, by the exertions and attention of enterpriſing breeders; who have already improved them ſo far, as to be ſold fat to the butchers at 3½ years old. The weight of the carcaſe is in general from 60 to 80 ſtone, (14 lb. to the ſtone) but there are inſtances of individuals attaining much greater weight.

Sir H. Grey bred and fed two ſeven-years old oxen that weighed 152 ſtone 9 lb. the four quarters only; and a ſpayed heifer, 132 ſtone, 6 lb. ditto. Mr Smith of Togſtone, a cow, 127 ſtone 11 lb. ditto.

But large ſize is not now conſidered as an excellence: Quick ſeeders, that lay their ſat upon the moſt valuable parts, and have the leaſt offal in the coarſe parts, are the kind which every enlightened breeder wiſhes to be poſſeſſ⯑ed of.

The long Horns have been introduced from the improv⯑ed ſtocks of the Midland counties, at different times and by different breeders; but have in moſt inſtances given way again to the improved breed of ſhort horns.

The Devonſhire breed is only in the poſſeſſion of Walter Trevelyan, Eſq. of Nether Witton, who introduced them about three years ſince; their offspring has not yet got to a proper age to form a judgment of their comparative merits.

The Wild Cattle—are only found in Chillingham Park, belonging to the Earl of Tankerville; and as it is probable they are the only remains of the true and genuine breed of []

[123]that ſpecies of cattle,^* we ſhall be more particular in our deſcription.

Their colour is invariably white, muzzle black; the whole of the inſide of the ear, and about one third of the outſide from the tip, downwards, red; horns white, with black tips, very fine, and bent upwards. Some of the bulls have a thin upright mane, about an inch and an half, or two inches long. The weight of the oxen is from 35 to 45 ſtone, and the cows from 25 to 35 ſtone, the four quarters; 14 lb. to the ſtone. The beef is fine⯑ly marbled, and of excellent flavour.

From the nature of their paſture, and the frequent agitation they are put into, by the curioſity of ſtrangers, it cannot be expected they ſhould get very fat; yet the ſix years old oxen are generally very good beef. From whence it may be fairly ſuppoſed, that in proper ſitua⯑tions, they would feed well.

At the firſt appearance of any perſon they ſet off in full gallop; and, at the diſtance of two or three hundred yards, make a wheel round, and come boldly up again, toſting their heads in a menacing manner; on a ſudden they make a full ſtop, at the diſtance of forty or fifty yards, looking wildly at the object of their ſurprize; but upon the leaſt motion being made, they all again turn round, and gallop off again with equal ſpeed, but not to the ſame diſtance: forming a ſhorter circle, and again returning with a bolder, and more threatening aſpect than before; they approach much nearer, probably within thirty yards, when they make another ſtand, and again gallop off: this they do ſeveral times, ſhortening their [124]inſtance, and advancing nearer; till they come within a few yards, when moſt people think it prudent to leave them, not chuſing to provoke them further, as it is pro⯑bable, that in a few turns more they would make an at⯑tack.

The mode of killing them was, perhaps, the only mo⯑dern remains of the grandeur of ancient hunting. On notice been given, that a wild bull would be killed upon a certain day, the inhabitants of the neighbourhood came mounted, and armed with guns, &c. ſometimes to the number of an hundred horſe, and four or five hundred foot, who ſtood upon walls or got into trees, while the horſemen rode off the bull from the reſt of the herd, un⯑til he ſtood at bay; when a markſman diſmounted and ſhot. At ſome of theſe huntings, twenty or thirty ſhots have been fired before he was ſubdued: on ſuch occa⯑ſions, the bleeding victim grew deſperately furious, from the ſmarting of his wounds, and the ſhouts of ſavage joy that were echoing from every ſide: from the number of accidents that happened, this dangerous mode has been ſeldom practiſed of late years; the park-keeper alone generally ſhooting them with a rifled gun, at one ſhot.—When the cows calve, they hide their calves, for a week or ten days, in ſome ſequeſtered ſituation, and go and ſuckle them two or three times a day. If any perſon come near the calves, they clap their heads cloſe to the ground, and lie like a hare in form, to hide themſelves. This is a proof of their native wildneſs, and is corroborated by the following circumſtance, that happened to the writer of this narrative, who found a hidden calf, two days old, very lean, and very weak; on ſtroking its head, it got up, pawed two or three times like an old bull, bellowed very loud, retired a few ſteps, and bolted at his legs with all its force; it then began to paw again, bellowed, ſtep⯑ped back, and bolted as before: but knowing its inten⯑tion, [125]and ſtepping aſide, it miſſed me, fell, and was ſo very weak, that it could not riſe, though it made ſeveral efforts; but it had done enough, the whole herd were alarmed, and coming to its reſcue, obliged me to retire; for the dams will allow no perſon to touch their calves without attacking them with impetuous ferocity.

When any one happens to be wounded, or grown weak and feeble through age or ſickneſs, the reſt of the herd ſet upon it, and gore it to death.

Dairy.—This county cannot boaſt of its dairies; thoſe who live in the vicinity of Newcaſtle, and other populous places, make a handſome return by the ſale of milk, freſh butter, &c. but upon moſt of the large farms in this coun⯑ty, dairies are not held in much eſtimation.

Breeding young cattle—is practiſed in almoſt every part of the county. Upon the large farms, cows are kept more for this purpoſe than the profit of dairying: there are in⯑ſtances of 50 or 60 calves being brought up in one ſeaſon, by one farmer, who did not milk more than fifteen cows. Calves are certainly beſt reared with milk, but where ſuch numbers are bred, many different things have been mixed with, or ſubſtituted for, this nutritive and natural diet; oats and b [...]an meal, oil cake, lintſeed, boiled turnips, &c. are uſed, and have their various advocates; but lint⯑ſeed is moſt approved; eggs are excellent for mixing in the calf's food; when cheap in the Spring, perhaps they cannot be better employed. In the Summer the calves are turned to graſs, and in the firſt Winter get turnips and ſtraw. After being a year old, they are kept in Sum⯑mer on coarſe paſture; and in Winter on ſtraw only.

Hiring Bulls—for the ſeaſon, is practiſed in this coun⯑ty; as high as 50 guineas have been paid for a bull of the ſhort-horned breed, for one ſeaſon, and from 3 to 5 guineas given, for ſerving a cow; but the more common premium is a guinea.

SECT. 2—Of Sheep.

In this county there are three diſtinct breeds.—The Cheviot ſheep, the Heath ſheep, and the long-wooled ſheep.

The Cheviot ſheep—are hornleſs, the faces and legs in general white.^* The beſt breeds have a ſine open coun⯑tenance, with lively prominent eyes; body long, fore quarters wanting depth in the breaſt, and breadth both there and on the chine; fine clean ſmall boned legs; thin pelts, weight of carcaſe when fat, from 12 to 18 lb. per quarter; fleeces from 2½ to 3½ lb each, and ſold in 1792, for 11d. per lb. The wool is not all ſine, there being in a fleece of 3 lb. weight, only 2 lb. of ſine wool, worth one ſhilling per lb. (when the whole fleece ſells at 10d. per lb.) and one pound of coarſe, worth only 6 d. per lb.

They are bred only upon the hilly diſtricts in the north⯑weſt part of the county, and do not extend much farther ſouth than Reedwater.

The beſt kind of theſe ſheep are certainly a very hardy and valuable mountain ſheep, where the paſture is moſtly green ſward, or contains a large portion of that kind of herbage; which is the caſe with all the hills around Che⯑viot, where theſe ſheep are bred; for as to the mountain of Cheviot itſelf, no kind of ſheep whatever are bred up⯑on it; and we find it an univerſal practice, amongſt the moſt experienced ſheep farmers, to depaſture the heathy []

[]

[127] diſtricts with old ſheep, (gimmers and wethers) but they never attempt to keep a breeding flock upon them.^*

Blindburn is probably the higheſt and coarſeſt paſture in this county where this kind of ſheep are bred. We examined the herbage, and found, that the ewe-paſture had a conſiderable portion of green ſward, the coarſeſt parts of which conſiſted of

• Nardus ſtricta Wirebent ^†
• Juncus ſquarroſus Stoolbent
• Scirpus caeſpitoſus Deer hair
• Eriophorum vaginatum the leaves Ling. ^‡
• Eriophorum vaginatum the flowering
• Eriophorum vaginatum ſtem, Moſs.
• Erica vulgaris Heath or Hadder.

The ſhape of this breed of ſheep has been much im⯑proved of late years; but all thoſe who have been aiding in making ſuch improvements, readily acknowledge, [128]there is ſtill much to be done; eſpecially to the fore quar⯑ter, which they all agree is very defective; but we hope it will not long remain ſo, as we think we ſee a ſpirit of in⯑veſtigation ariſing amongſt theſe breeders, that in a few years will remedy not only this defect, but will diſcover others, which at preſent they are not willing to admit. But as knowledge is progreſſive, we cannot expect the perfection of this breed of ſheep can be obtained at once; it muſt proceed by ſlow gradations, as every other im⯑provement hath done; it is a great point gained, that we admit defects, and are deſirous to amend them.

That breed of ſheep which brings the moſt profit to the farmer, will always be purſued by him, whatever his ſituation; but that object, we preſume, is not to be ob⯑tained in this diſtrict from fine wool alone. Perfect moun⯑tain ſheep ſhould be active, hardy, well formed, and quick ſeeders: theſe qualities will always recommend them to the grazier, who will never purchaſe a ſlow feeding ani⯑mal, while he can get one of a different ſort, though at a conſiderable advanced price. But if to theſe qualities, ſo eſſential to the ſale of a mountain farmer's ſtock, can be added a fleece of fine wool, a breed of ſheep would then be obtained, the propereſt for a hilly diſtrict of any we have yet ſeen. There is little doubt but this may be accompliſh⯑ed by proper ſelection; and probably the beſt kind of Cheviot ſheep, from their hardineſs, and producing a portion of fine wool, are the propereſt ſtock for laying the founda⯑tion of ſo deſirable an improvement.

Mr Robſon, of Belford, (now of Chatto) ſays, he im⯑proved the ſhape of his ſheep very conſiderably; particu⯑larly the fore-quarter, and the wool, in having leſs but⯑tocks; by uſing three rams which he purchaſed in Lin⯑colnſhire, thirty-three years ſince; and we know other in⯑ſtances of improvement, by uſing tups of ⅓ or ¼ Diſhley [129]blood. In all theſe caſes, we do not find the ſheep leſs hardy, or wool of leſs value; but the carcaſe materially improved.^*

Mr Readhead, of Chatto, is of opinion, that there are ſome ſituations amongſt the Cheviot-hills, where the South Down ſheep might be ſucceſsful; thoſe who are poſſeſſed of ſuch, would do well to make a fair experi⯑ment; ſhould it ſucceed, a very great improvement of the Cheviot wool, in point of fineneſs, would be derived by croſſing with this breed: but probably what it gained in fineneſs, it would loſe in weight, for it is not the value per pound which conſtitutes the farmer's profit, but the value per fleece; or rather, that breed is the beſt, which brings the moſt profit in fleece and carcaſe jointly, ^† from the ſame ground, in equal times. Opinions and conjectures will never decide this matter; it can only be done by fair experiments, conducted by perſons of judgment and im⯑partiality.

The Mode of Management—amongſt the ſheep farmers of theſe hills, is to divide their flock into different parcels, viz. lambs, hogs, gimmers, ewes, and wethers, and each parcel kept on ſuch paſturage as is thought moſt proper for them. Every parcel is attended by a ſhepherd, who is bound to return the number of ſheep delivered to him, either alive, or in his account of dead ſheep, which are in [130]general ſold at different prices, according to their good⯑neſs.

The ewes are 2½ years old before they are put to the tup; and are kept till five or ſix years old: the loſs of lambs is ſometimes very conſiderable, not only on being dropped, but alſo from other diſorders, as the "milk-ill," which attacks them from 3 to 7 days old, the "quarter-ill," &c. which Mr Chiſholm of Clennel eſtimates at not leſs than 15 per cent. taking one year with another. And Mr Smith of Woodhall ſays, that "altho' the Cheviot breed be as healthy as perhaps any, yet there can hardly be an inſtance adducible of any of the different ſheep flocks coming all to the ſhears, much leſs the hogs; out of which it is common to allow two out of each ſcore."

The Heath Sheep—have large ſpiral horns, black faces and legs, a fierce wild-looking eye, and ſhort firm carcaſſes (weighing from 12 to 16 lb. per quarter) covered with long, open, coarſe ſhagged wool. The fleeces weigh from three to four pounds each; and ſold, in 1792, for ſix⯑pence per pound. They are an exceedingly active and hardy race, and ſeem the beſt adapted, of all others, to high expoſed heathy diſtricts; ſuch as we find them in poſſeſſion of here, from the weſtern parts of the county of Durham, to North Tyne.

Mr Hopper, of Blackhedley, buys year old wethers of this kind of ſheep for 10s. 6d. each, and two-year olds for 14s. which he depaſtures upon a heathy moor of 4000 acres; from whence he takes them at 3½ years old to tur⯑nips; and ſells, the May following, from 28 to 32 ſhil⯑lings each: he has tried the Cheviot ſheep in the ſame manner, but thinks the other a hardier and better feeding ſheep.^*

[]

[131]The breeders of this kind of ſheep on the ſouth weſt corner of the county, are very confident, that they are a much hardier ſheep than the Cheviot breed; and upon their high expoſed heathy mountains, where there is very little green herbage, much more profitable; while the Cheviot farmers aſſert, that theirs are equally hardy, and that the greater value of the fleece gives them a decided ſuperiority. We have before ſtated that the fineneſs of wool is not a proper criterion, by which the merits of a breed of ſheep are to be determined; it can only be done by fair experiment, in which all the circumſtances of the caſe are included; but we do not find that this has ever been done by either party, and tho' it is only opinion a⯑gainſt opinion, yet both parties are ſo poſitive, that they are ready to quarrel with any perſon who happens to ex⯑preſs an opinion of his own: we ſhall therefore content ourſelves with ſtating, that the queſtion can only be pro⯑perly decided by a parcel of each kind of ewes (ſuppoſe 100) being depaſtured and kept in every reſpect equally alike, upon ſome of thoſe high, expoſed ſituations, the height of which is much more elevated, and the herbage much coarſer than the Cheviot paſtures; and almoſt to⯑tally covered with Heath or Hather (Erica Vulgaris.) And at the end of five, ſix, or ſeven years, that breed which has brought the greateſt number of ſheep to mar⯑ket, and made the moſt profit, will deſervedly be deemed the hardieſt, beſt, and moſt eligible, for ſuch ſituations.

Until ſome experiment of this kind determine the matter; we hope, we ſhall not give offence to either party by ſtating, that we have ſeen the heath ſheep bred with advantage upon higher and coarſer paſtures than Common Burn, or thoſe others around Cheviot, which are deemed improper for a breeding flock of the Cheviot kind; and that it may probably turn out, that each breed is particu⯑larly adapted to particular ſituations, the one to coarſe expoſ⯑ed [132]mountains, where the luxury of green herbage is thinly ſcattered, or rarely to be found: the other, to hilly paſtures, where conſiderable portions of verdant ſurface predomin⯑ate, ſuch as characterize the paſtoral diſtricts around Cheviot.

The long-woolled ſheep,—which formerly occupied the lower diſtrict of this county, were called Muggs, probably from their faces being covered with a muff of wool, cloſe to their eyes. Theſe being a ſlow feeding tribe, have given way to the Diſhley breed, which were firſt intro⯑duced into this county in the year 1766,^* and by their ſuperior merit have ſo far made their way againſt every prejudice and oppoſition, that it is probable in a few years there will be a difficulty in finding a flock that is not more or leſs related to the Diſhley blood.

The improved breed of long-woolled ſheep—are diſtinguiſh⯑ed from other long-woolled kinds by their fine lively eyes, clean heads, ſtraight broad flat backs, round barrel-like bodies, very fine ſmall bones, thin pelts; and that ſin⯑gular property of making fat at an early age, perhaps more than any thing elſe, gives them a ſuperiority over the other breed in this iſland.

The weight of the carcaſe in general is, ewes three or four years old, from 18 to 26 lb. per quarter; the wool upon an average, 7½lb. a fleece; the length from 6 to 14 inches; ſold in 1792, at 10d. per lb.

The moſt approved mode of management of this breed of ſheep is as follows: The ewes generally lamb in March, when we give them a few turnips to increaſe their milk. The latter end of June or beginning of July the lambs are weaned, and ſent to middling paſture; but a good paſture would certainly be a more eligible practice. The ewes are milked two or three times to eaſe their udders, and ſuch []

[133]as are not intended to be continued for breeding, are cul⯑led or draughted out, and put to clover: when this fails, they get turnips, and are ſold about Chriſtmas to the butchers, very fat; the price from 34 to 40s. each; fre⯑quently meaſuring four or five inches thick of fat on the ſides, and two or three inches down the back, all the way from head to tail. And though this breed be not emi⯑nent for much tallow, yet ewes under ſuch circumſtances have been known to produce from eighteen to twenty-four pounds of tallow each.

The lambs, after being weaned, take the name of Hogs. They are generally put to turnips the beginning of Novem⯑ber, and continue at them till the middle of April or be⯑ginning of May; when the wether hogs are put upon good paſture, or ſecond year's clover. The ſecond Win⯑ter they have turnips until the clovers are ſufficiently grown to receive them, which is generally about the middle of April: they are clipped or ſhorn about the middle of May, when we begin to ſell them, and are moſt⯑ly all ſold by the middle or end of June. Morpeth is our beſt market, where the two ſhear wethers are generally ſold for from forty to fifty ſhillings a head; in 1797, they ſold for 3l. per head on an average. At this age they are equally fat as the ewes before deſcribed:

Of late years it has been cuſtomary to fell the ſhearling wethers, in June or July, to the butchers, fatter than moſt other breeds will be at two or three years old; the weight of theſe ſhearling wethers is from 18 to 21 lb. per quarter.

We generally reckon one third of the ewes to have twin lambs. They are put to the tup, ſo as to have lambs at two years old, and kept for breeding until three or four years old, except ſuch as are of particular good forms, or have other valuable properties: theſe we keep as long as ever they will breed. Such as are defective in [134]ſhape, ſuſpected of being ſlow feeders, or other unprofit⯑able qualities, we never put to the tup, or attempt to breed from them.

Letting Tups—to ſerve ewes for the ſeaſon, has been a practice in this county for near 30 years, and is becoming more prevalent daily; the prices vary from five to one hundred guineas, for the uſe of one ſheep; and ewes are frequently taken in to be ſerved by a favourite ram, at as high rates as from 3 to 5 guineas each. The number of ewes to be ſerved by a ſhearing tup, is generally ſtipulat⯑ed not to exceed 80, and for an aged ſheep 120.

At the firſt introduction of this breed of ſheep, a great prejudice was raiſed againſt them, and clamorous outcries made, that their adoption would be the ruin of the country, and no means were left untried to depreciate their value: but every obſtacle has been overcome by their ſuperior merit, which ſeems now to be univerſally acknowledged, as may be judged from the following cir⯑cumſtance.

In October 1795, Mr Thompſon of Chillingham Barns, having quitted a farm, he advertiſed to ſell by auction, 500 ewes, in lots of 5 each.

Several lots of the gimmers ſold for above 35l. each lot, one in particular for 38l. or 7l. 12s. each ſheep.

The higheſt lot of ewes was 28l or 5l. 12s. each.

The purchaſers amounted to upwards of 50, amongſt whom were ſeveral, that a few years before, were the moſt violent, and loudeſt exclaimers againſt any "change or innovation," in the eſtabliſhed breed of the country.

Breeding Sheep—of the long-woolled kind, to be ſold to [135]graziers to fatten, is practiſed by the occupiers of ſuch farms as do not afford a ſufficiency of turnips, or ſuch as do not produce any: thoſe who are in the latter predica⯑ment, either take turnips for wintering their hogs, or put them upon good old graſs paſtures. The wethers are generally ſold in September and October, being then ſhearlings, for, from 22s. to 26s. each; and the ewes three and a half years old, from 18s. to 24s. each; in 1796, they were as high as 2l. each.

There are few or no ſheep bred in thoſe parts of the county, called Caſtle-Ward, Bedlingtonſhire, and the ſouth eaſt corner of Morpeth Ward.

The modern maxims of breeding were introduced in⯑to this county by one of Mr Bakewell's firſt diſciples, up⯑wards of 30 years ſince; previous to which, "big bones" and "large ſize" were looked upon as the principal cri⯑teria of excellence, and a ſacred adherence to the rule of never breeding within the canonical degree of relation⯑ſhip; but thoſe prejudices are at this period, in a great meaſure, done away; and the principal farmers of this diſtrict may now be claſſed amongſt the moſt ſcientific breeders in the kingdom, who have purſued it with an ardour and unremitting attention that have not failed of ſucceſs.It is this knowledge of breeding, and the nice diſcrimination of ſelecting proper ſtock for grazing, added to their improved mode of cultivation, that gives them a celebrity of character, for their extenſive knowledge in rural affairs, and that has for ſome years back made this diſtrict a School for Agriculture, where pu⯑pils from various parts have come to be inſtructed.

Salving—was formerly univerſally practiſed, and it was thought the ſheep could not do well without it. In the lower diſtricts it is now almoſt totally diſuſed; and ſome of the hill farmers have laid it aſide, and find their flocks do equally well as before; and the wool ſells for a much better price than when it is ſalved; but it is of leſs weight, [136]as may be naturally expected, from the want of near ¾ of a pound of ſalve upon each fleece.

This ſalve is compoſed of 12 lb. of butter, and 4 quarts of tar, mixed well together while warm, which quantity ſerves 24 ſheep, the number a man will ſalve in a day.

Milking.—It uſed to be a general practice through all this county to milk ewes after the lambs were weaned, for ſix, eight, or ten weeks; from this milk great quantities of cheeſe were made, and ſold for about 3d. per pound. When kept to three or four years old, it is exceedingly pungent, and on that account ſome people prefer it to cheeſe of a much better quality.

To milk ewes two or three times after the lambs are weaned is a uſeful practice; but when continued to eight or ten weeks, it becomes very detrimental, keeps the ewes lean, and ill prepared for meeting the ſeverities of Winter.

This cuſtom has been long diſuſed by the intelligent farmers in the lower diſtricts; and we are glad to ſind it much laid aſide by the moſt conſiderable hill farmers. The profit of milking ewes for ſix or eight weeks is eſti⯑mated at 8d. per ewe; and it is generally agreed they are decreaſed in value, at leaſt 1s. 6d. per head; of courſe there is a loſs of about 1s. per head by milking. In one in⯑ſtance of milking long-woolled ewes, laſt Summer, there was a loſs of at leaſt 3s. per head.

SECT. 3.—Horſes.

The beſt draught horſes uſed in this county are brought from Clydeſdale, in Scotland; they are in general from 15½ to 16 hands high; ſtrong, hardy, remarkable good and true pullers; a reſtive horſe being rarely found a⯑mong them.

Thoſe bred in the county are of various ſorts, deſcend⯑ed from ſtallions of different kinds, from the full blood [137]racer, to the ſtrong, heavy, rough-legged black. From the full blood ſtallions and country mares, are bred excel⯑lent hunters, road and carriage horſes; and from the o⯑ther kinds of ſtallions are bred the draught horſes, which in general, are middle ſized, active animals, well adapted to the huſbandry of the country.

We have before obſerved, that ſince the price of horſes had been ſo very high, ſeveral oxen had been uſed for the draught; but whether with propriety or advantage, will appear from

SECT. 4.—Swine.

The Berkſhire pigs, and the large white breed, were formerly the moſt prevalent in this county; but the ſmall black Chineſe breed has in a great meaſure ſupplanted them, eſpecially upon the large farms; and theſe are likely to give way to a ſmall white breed lately introduced, remark⯑ably quiet, inoffenſive animals; on which account they are principally preferred to the Chineſe breed.

SECT. 5.—Rabbits.

Rabbits are found in conſiderable numbers among the ſand hills along the coaſt, and are probably the moſt eligi⯑ble ſtock for ſuch ſituations, having been ſold of late years for 25. per couple.

SECT. 4.—Goats.

Goats—are kept in ſmall numbers, on many parts of the Cheviot hills, not ſo much as an object of profit, but the ſhepherds aſſert, the ſheep ſlocks are healthier where a few goats depaſture. This probably may be the caſe, as it is well known, that goats eat ſome plants with impunity, that are deadly poiſon to other kinds of domeſtic animals.

The chief profit made of theſe goats, is from their milk being ſold to invalids, who come to Wooler in the Sum⯑mer ſeaſon.

SECT. 7.—Poultry.

Poultry,—in a diſtrict like this, where they are ſold ſo low, are the moſt unprofitable ſtock kept upon a farm; the value of the corn conſumed by them, being generally double to what they are ſold for; and the labouring people are ſo well convinced of their inutility, that they con⯑ſtantly and univerſally ſell them, knowing from experi⯑ence, that if the value received for them be laid out in either beef or mutton, it will be much more ſerviceable; and this piece of economy is ſo well underſtood, that we believe there is ſcarce an inſtance of a labouring perſon ever making uſe of poultry for his own family; they are always conſidered as articles purpoſely bred to pamper luxuty.

SECT. 1—Labour, &c.

THROUGH the greateſt part of this county, and eſ⯑pecially upon the large farms, there are very few ſer⯑vants kepts in the houſe; ſeldom more than two men and two maids: but the ploughman, carters, barnmen, ſhep⯑herds, &c. have each a houſe and garden or yard to them⯑ſelves, and are generally married. The conditions of ſervitude for one year are:

They are bound to ſind a woman labourer to work for the following wages: for harveſting 6d. per day, for hoe⯑ing [146]turnips,^* hay-making, ſcaling, weeding corn, &c. uſed to be 4d. per day, but was laſt year raiſed to 6d. per day.

In addition to the above conditions, the ſhepherd gen⯑erally has as many ſheep kept as are worth four or five pounds a year; but, if he has any under-ſhepherd to keep to aſſiſt him, the number is increaſed accordingly. In the hilly diſtricts, their ſheep ſometimes amount to hun⯑dreds, beſides ſix or eight neat cattle.

An overſeer or head ſervant has, in addition to the a⯑bove, as much money as to make his place worth from 20l. to 30l. a year.

Threſhing is moſtly done by the piece; a twenty-fifth part of the corn threſhed, being the general cuſtom, if the ſtraw be taken away unfolded; but if the threſher folds the ſtraw, he has a twenty-firſt part, and finds a woman to dreſs the corn, and to work at all other work, for the ſame wages as the others; he has ſtraw for his cow in Winter, but pays for her Summer's graſs.

The yearly wages of houſe ſervants are, for men, from 8l. to 12l. for women, 3l. to 5l.

The wages of day labourers, without victuals or any al⯑lowance of beer, are,

Upon ſome of the large farms, a carpenter and ſmith are hired by the year.

The hours of working are from ſix in the morning to ſix in the evening, when the length of lay will permit, with the following intervals of reſt:

SECT 2.—Proviſion.

The price of grain in this county fluctuates very much: betwixt the markets of Newcaſtle and Hexham, and thoſe of Alnwick, Berwick, and Wooler, there is always a conſiderable difference;^* the prices in the northern parts being in general the loweſt, on amongſt the loweſt, in the kingdom, owing to the produce being ſo much greater than the home conſumption. This ſurplus affords large quantities to be yearly exported from Berwick, Ale⯑mouth, and other places along the northern part of the coaſt

The average prices of grain at Berwick, in 1792, were,

Fat ſtock being eaſily driven from one place to another, keeps the price of butcher's meat more upon an equality in all the markets of the county.

The average price of butcher's meat is from threepence-halfpenny to fourpence-halfpenny per pound; but in May and June it generally gets to fivepence, and the two laſt years has been ſixpence and ſevenpence.

SECT. 3.—Fuel.

Upon the edges of the moors, towards the weſtern parts of the county, a few peats are burnt; but in every other part, we believe, coals are univerſally uſed.

The quantity conſumed by a poor family, is from 5 to 7 cart loads a year.

SECT. 1.—Roads.

THE turnpike roads are moſtly in good order; thoſe that have an opportunity of getting whinſtone, or limeſtone, are the beſt; but they certainly would be better if the ſurveyors would order the ſtones to be bro⯑ken ſmaller and the roads made wider. One great ob⯑jection to ſome of theſe roads is the many ſteep banks they are diſgraced with, ſome of the worſt might have been avoided; but it ſeems the original ſetters-out of theſe roads had a predilection for climbing and deſcend⯑ing ſteep banks: this is notorious on both the roads up⯑on Rimſide-Moor, without even the plea of being near⯑er; as the leveller road would have been nearer, travelled in much leſs time, and with far leſs fatigue. Some ſimilar caſes appear on the poſt road, which we hope will be remedied in the next application to Parliament for a new act.

The townſhip roads are in ſome places good, but by far the greateſt-part are deſerving of a different appellation; the cauſe of this deficiency is in moſt caſes to be attributed to the neglect and manner of performing the ſtatute-work.

One mode of remedying this neglect, would be to ap⯑point a ſurveyor, with a ſmall ſalary, who ſhould be em⯑powered to collect the compoſition due for ſtatute-work, [150]and [...]mploy th [...] money for repairing the road where moſt neceſſary for the public in general, without having regard to the convenience or influence of individuals.

A book ſhould be kept by the ſurveyor, and yearly ex⯑amined, ſettled, and ſigned by a committee of inhabitants, before it went to the magiſtrates. We know from expe⯑rience, that by this means the road would be much bet⯑ter made, and in near double the quantity: for when a farmer ſends his cart to perform ſtatute-duty, it ſeldom carries more than half a load, and the ſervants practiſe every manoeuvre to put off time, and do as little as poſſi⯑ble which would not be the caſe with hired carts, as every inhabitant would be ready to report any mal-practices.

SECT. 2—Canals.

In this county there are no Canals; and notwithſtand⯑ing heir manifeſt utility to a diſtrict like this, where ſuch immenſe quantities of heavy articles are to be conveyed; yet we believe, no attempt was ever made, or even ſo much as a canal projected, in any part of the county before 1792, when ſome gentlemen on Tweedſide had it in con⯑templation to make a navigable canal, from the collieries and lime works near Berwick, to Kelſo in Scotland, and from thence up the Tweed and Tiviot; but a ſurvey be⯑ing made by Mr Whitworth, it was dropt, probably on account of the great expence.

The next public notice we can trace, was given by Mr Dodd, in 1794, of a canal from Newcaſtle to Carliſle, or M [...]ryport, in Cumberland, to join the eaſt and weſt ſeas. This was to paſs on the ſouth ſide of Tyne: but Mr Chap⯑man propoſed a line to paſs on the north ſide of Tyne, the peculiarity of which was, that it ſhould come from Hay⯑don-Bridge, to the upper parts of Newcaſtle, upon one level without a lock, and the goods conveyed from thence [151]to the river, either by a kind of ſtair-caſe of locks, or in waggons on an inclined plane. By this propoſal, the principal ſupporters of the grand canal were divided into-two parties; the conſequence of which was, that the money to compleat the great deſign of uniting the two ſeas, could not be raiſed, and of courſe it was given up; one on the north ſide, propoſed to ſtop at Haydon-Bridge, and another on the ſouth ſide at Hexham. The ſubſcriptions for defraying the expence of the north line, we were informed were filled; and application was made to Parliament in 1797, to obtain an Act for making a canal on the north ſide, but it met with ſo ſtrong an oppoſition from the land owners, that it was thought pro⯑per to withdraw it.

The ſubſcribers for a canal on the ſouth of the river ſtill perſevere in their endeavours to accompliſh the line to Hexham, or Haydon-Bridge; and we have not heard that any oppoſition to the meaſure is intended by the pro⯑prietors of lands, through which it is to paſs.

SECT. 3—Fairs.

The principal Fairs in this County are:

• 4th—Wooler—for a few cattle, ſheep, horſes, hiring ſervants, &c.
• 10th.—Allendale—for cattle.
• 12th.—Alnwick.—A large ſhow of both fat and lean cattle.
• 14th.—Haltwhiſtle—for cattle, chiefly cows for graz⯑ing.

• Tueſday before Belford.—A few cattle and ſheep.
• Whitſuntide. Belford.—A few cattle and ſheep.
• Wedneſday before Morpeth—for fat cattle, ſheep, &c.
• Whitſunday. Morpeth—for fat cattle, ſheep, &c.
• [152]Whitſun Eve.—Stagſhaw-Bank, (near Corbridge)—ſo cattle, ſheep, horſes, &c.
• Whitſun-Tueſday—Whitſun Bank, (near Wooler.)—A large fair for cattle, horſes, and great numbers of ſheep, principally long-woolled hogs, and ewes and lambs; and a hiring for ſervants.
• Friday in Trinity week. Berwick—a few lean and fat cattle.

• 4th—Stagſhaw Bank, (near Corbridge.)—This is one of the largeſt ſheep fairs in the north of England;^* principally of the black-faced heath ſheep, which moſtly come from the ſouth weſt of Scotland: there are alſo great numbers of cattle, horſes, and ſwine.
• Wedneſday be⯑fore the 22d.Morpeth—for fat cattle, ſheep, &c.
• Laſt Monday,—Alnwick,—fat and lean cattle.

• 5th.—Hexham—Cattle, horſes and ſheep, chiefly lambs both of the Cheviot and heath kind; from the vicinity of Langholm, (in Scotland.)
• 12th.—Newcaſtle—holds 9 days for horſes; and for fat and lean cattle, on the laſt or 12th.
• 23d.—Belford—A few cattle and ſheep.
• 24th.—Whittingham.—for fat and lean cattle, and a few horſes. The beſt ſhow of fat cattle of any fair in the county.^†
• 26th.—Elſdon,—a few cattle.

• Saturday af⯑ter the 15th Bellingham,—a few cattle, chiefly ſmall cows.
• [153]19th.—Harbottle,—for a few cattle, moſtly ſteers and heifers.
• 27th—St. Ninians, (near Wooler)—a very large ſhow of ſheep and cattle, with a few horſes.—The ſheep are-moſtly draft or caſt ewes, and ſhearing wethers.

• Firſt Tueſday—Alnwick—for fat and lean cattle.
• 2d.—Rothbury,—for cattle, moſtly for ſteers and heifers.
• 17th.—Wooler,—for very great numbers of ſheep, of the Cheviot and long-woolled kinds: a few cattle and horſes.
• 29th.—Newcaſtle,—for horſes, cattle, and ſwine.

This is one of the largeſt fairs in the north of England. The horſe fair begins nine or ten days before the 29th, and continues every day in the town, where great num⯑bers of remarkable ſine horſes, for the field, the road, and the carriage, are ſold daily. The abundant choice of e⯑very kind, brings great numbers of dealers from London and various other diſtant places: its celebrity has increaſ⯑ed very much of late years, and we believe it may be juſt⯑ly claſſed amongſt the firſt horſe fairs in the kingdom.

The ſhow of cattle is alſo very great, not only for the breed of the country, but alſo for large droves of kyloes, (Scotch cattle) which are purpoſely driven from the High⯑lands, to be ſold at this fair.—The fair on the 29th, is held on the Town-moor, and is called the Cow-hill fair.

• 1ſt.—Rothbury—for young cattle.
• 8th—Hexham.—Cattle.
• 14th.—Allendale.—Cattle, moſtly ſmall cows.
• 22d.—Newcaſtle.—Fat cattle, chiefly cows: this fair is held in the town, and is called the "Stones fair."
• 22d.—Haltwhiſtle.—A few fat cows, and lean cattle for wintering.

SECT. 4.—Markets.

Tueſday.—Hexham,—for corn and other proviſions.

Ditto—Belford.—The chief ſupport of this market, is the ſale of corn, great quantities of which are ſold by ſam⯑ple, for exportation.

Ditto.—Newcaſtle,—a ſmall market for proviſions of various kinds.

Wedneſday.—Morpeth,—for corn, butcher's meat, butter, &c and for fat cattle and ſheep: of the former on an average not leſs than 80 weekly; and of ſheep, and lambs 1600;^* which are bought up for the conſump⯑tion of Newcaſtle, Shields, Sunderland,^† &c.

Thurſday.—Wooler,—principally for corn, conſiderable quantities of which are ſold by ſample, moſtly for expor⯑tation.

Friday.—Rothbury.—This market is little more than nominal, there being only one butcher who ſells a few carcaſes, and which conſtitutes nearly the whole of the market.

Ditto.—Allendale,—for corn, butcher's meat, and con⯑ſiderable quantities of potatoes and garden ſtuff from Hexham; all for the ſupply of the mining diſtrict to the weſtward.

[155]Saturday.—Newcaſtle.—A very large market, and well ſupplied with corn, butcher's meat, fiſh, poultry, but⯑ter, &c.

Dr Hutton, in his Plan of Newcaſtle, in 1772, ſtates the annual conſumption of this place to be 5000 catttle, 10000 calves, and 147000 ſheep and lambs.

Ditto.—Alnwick,—a large market for corn and pro⯑viſions of various kinds.

Ditto.—Berwick,—for corn, butcher's meat, and other articles of proviſions; at both this market and Alnwick, conſiderable quantities of corn are ſold by ſample for ex⯑portation.

SECT. 5.—Commerce.

The commerce of this county is derived principally from the coal trade: the ſhips belonging to the port of Newcaſtle, in 1772, are ſtated by Mr Pennant, to be 3948, their tonnage, 758214—The principal exports are coals, lead, lead ſhot, wrought iron, grindſtones, pottery, glaſs, &c.

The exports from Berwick, are chiefly corn, flour, oat⯑meal, ſhilled barley, potatoes, fiſh, eggs, wool, &c. coaſt⯑ways; which has increaſed very much of late years: the foreign trade is chieſly to the north of Europe.

The number of veſſels belonging to this port is about 40, making upwards of 3000 tons: the receipts of the cuſtoms are, upon an average, about 3000l. per ann.

The port of Alemouth alſo employs a few veſſels in ex⯑porting corn, flour, &c.

And a few veſſels are employed in the Summer ſeaſon, in carrying lime, from the neighbourhood of Bambro', to different parts of Scotland.

SECT. 6—Manufactures.

This county is not diſtinguiſhed by any ſtaple manu⯑factures; [156]the principal are derived from, or connected with the coal trade and mines; as ſhip-building, roperies, forges, founderies, copperas, coal tar, ſoda, or marine alkali, white lead, potteries, glaſs works, &c.

Hexham has been long famed for its manufacture of gloves, which employs about 300 hands.

To eſtabliſh manufactures of Woollens, two or three eſſays have been lately made at Alnwick, Mitford, and Acklington; and a cotton Mill has been lately erected at Nether-Witton; all of which, from preſent appearances, we hope are doing well.

There is one ſpecies of manufacture carried on in this diſtrict, with an agricultural production of ſmall value, viz. that of ſtraw, which is not only made uſe of as a covering for the heads of the wives and daughters of the humble cottager, but has alſo lately been converted into orna⯑ments that might accompany the richeſt and moſt ſplen⯑did dreſs, which the palace or the drawing-room ex⯑hibits; and, for the honour of the plough, has not only been converted into buttons for the men, but alſo into rings and ear-rings for the ladies.

Agriculture is certainly benefited by manufactures in the conſumption of its produce, by the great number of people employed: but we do not find any new modes of practice or improvements in agriculture, introduced in their vicinity, or reſulting from the exertions of thoſe connected with them.

SECT. 7—Poor.

We do not find any mode of managing the poor in this county, different from that generally uſed in other diſtricts.

In thoſe townſhips where they are collected and main⯑tained in poor houſes, the rates are eaſier, than where they are relieved at their own houſes. We are inclined to be⯑lieve [157]that work-houſes, under proper regulations, would not only conſiderably leſſen the rates, but the poor might be ſupported more comfortably.

SECT. 7.—Population.

Of the population, we could not collect ſufficient da⯑ta, from whence even a tolerable gueſs could be made.

SECT. 1.—Agricultural Societies.

THERE never was any Agricultural Society in this county; and if any ever had exiſted, it probably would have been ſoon diſſolved, if we may judge from the ex⯑periments that have been made in ſome neighbouring diſ⯑tricts, where we find, that after a few years continuance, they have been given up; but whether from a radical de⯑fect in the inſtitutions, the non-attendance, and indiffer⯑ence of members, or the injudicious diſtribution of prizes, we are not prepared to ſay; but think that public farms are much more likely to promote improvements in the Science of Agriculture.

SECT. 2.—Weights and Meaſures.

Weights and meaſures—are in a ſad ſtate of confuſion; a pound, a ſtone, a buſhel, a boll, are rarely the ſame in different markets, and frequently vary in the ſame mar⯑ket for different articles.

[160]A ſtone of wool in ſome parts is 24 lb. in others 18 lb.; and a ſtone of every other article is 14 lb.

The Board of Agriculture could not do the public a greater ſervice, than by bringing forward a regulation of weights and meaſures. One weight, and one meaſure, derived from the ſame root, and increaſing or decreaſing in a ten fold ratio, would introduce ſuch ſimplicity, eaſe, and perſpicuity, into all tranſactions of buſineſs, (where calculations are neceſſary) as would prevent the number⯑leſs miſtakes and errors which are daily happening.

Preparations for remedying this great inconvenience, have been made at different times; and we believe here are ſufficient materials for perfecting the meaſure, when⯑ever it is thought proper to bring it forward.

SECT. 3.—Vermin.

Moles and rats—are two ſpecies of vermin which we think capable of being in a great meaſure extirpated, or ſo far reduced, as to render their depredations of little conſequence. In Cumberland, a mole is rarely to be ſeen: this is in conſequence of every occupier of land contribut⯑ing his due proportion towards their deſtruction. A ſimilar plan eſtabliſhed in this county for deſtroying ver⯑min, we believe, would readily be complied with by every good farmer; and the bad ones ought not to have it in their power to injure their more induſtrious neighbours.

Crows—of late years, have become a very great nui⯑ſance, not only for rooting up wheat, and other grain, in a ſprouting ſtate; but clover and protatoes, corn ſtacks, and young plantations, are greatly injured by them. Laſt Spring, a collection of ſixpence a plough was made by a few farmers in Glendale Ward, for pulling down their neſts. Many thouſands were deſtroyed by this means; and we hope the practice will be continued until they are found leſs pernicious.

[161] Foxes—are very numerous, and very deſtructive to young lambs, in a diſtrict like this, where ſo many ſheep are bred; but while they are ſo anxiouſly preſerved for the chace, we deſpair of ſeeing any regulations take place for reducing the numbers of this miſchievous animal.

Dogs—in every place are ſwarming: two thirds of them at leaſt are kept by people who have no manner of uſe for them; and are conſtantly complaining of their ina⯑bility to obtain food for their families. It would be do⯑ing theſe people an act of juſtice, to exempt them from doing ſtatute duty on the high-ways, on condition they did not keep a dog; and to ſupply the deficiency by lay⯑ing a tax upon dogs, which tax ſhould be applied towards repairing the roads.^*

SECT. 1.— Situation and Extent.

THE county of Cumberland is ſituated between the latitudes of 54 deg. 6 min. and 55 deg 7½ min. North; and the longitudes of 2 deg. 13 min. and 3 deg. 30 min. Weſt from London. Its length from St. Bee's Head, in a N. E. direction, to Butter Burn, is 58 miles; and its mean breadth, in a N. W. direction, is 30 miles.

and contains 1516 ſquare miles, or 970240 acres.

SECT. 2.—Diviſions.

This county is divided into five wards, viz.:—Cumber⯑land Ward; Eſkdale Ward; Leath Ward; Allerdale Ward above Derwent; and Allerdale Ward below Der⯑went.

SECT. 3.—Climate.

In a county like Cumberland, enjoying ſuch an extent of ſea-coaſt, and where ſo large a portion is occupied by mountains, and thoſe reckoned amongſt the higheſt in the kingdom,^* the climate muſt be various. Along the coaſt, and for a conſiderable way up the rivers, the ſnow ſel⯑dom lies above twenty-four hours; but upon the moun⯑tains the ſnow will continue for ſix or eight months: of court, the lower parts of the county are mild and tem⯑perate, while on the higher grounds, and upon the moun⯑tains and their vicinity, the air is cold and piercing; but the whole is healthy, though ſubject to great and frequent falls of rain, particularly in the Autumn, which makes their harveſts very precarious and expenſive. This exceſs of wet, we believe, is more or leſs the caſe upon the whole of the weſtern coaſts of the iſland.

[173]We have been favoured with the following Table, ſhewing the perpendicular height of rain that has fallen at Keſwick, the laſt ſeven years; by the ingenious Mr P. Croſthwaite, owner of the curious muſeum there.

SECT. 4.—Soil and Surface.

The ſoil is various, but may be claſſed under four diffe⯑rent heads.

1ſt. Fertile clays, or rather rich ſtrong loams, occupy but a ſmall portion of this county: formerly this kind of ſoil was generally employed in grazing, or the dairy; but ſince the introduction of growing wheat, it has been con⯑verted into tillage, and produces excellent crops of grain.

2d. Dry Loams, including the various degrees from the rich brown loam, to the light ſandy ſoils. This is the moſt prevalent, occupying a greater portion of the county than any other; not only the lower diſtricts, but the fteep ſides of the mountains, are in general of this ſoil; and in many places, even their ſummits are covered with a dry ſound earth, producing green ſward, with little [174]heath: we ſuppoſe at leaſt one half of the lower, or cul⯑tivatable diſtrict, is of this valuable ſoil, excellently adapt⯑ed to the culture of turnips, artificial graſſes, the various ſpecies of grain, and of breeding and feeding the moſt improved kinds of ſtock, particularly ſheep, it being per⯑fectly ſound, or ſafe from the rot.

3d. Wet Loam, generally on a clay bottom. The fer⯑tility of this ſoil is various, depending on the thickneſs of the ſtaple, and the nature of the clay below: it is danger⯑ous for ſheep, but may be applied with advantage to keep⯑ing cows for the dairy, breeding young cattle and horſes, and to the culture of wheat, oats, clover, and ray graſs.

4th. Black Peat earth, is moſt prevalent on the moun⯑tainous diſtricts, particularly thoſe adjoining Northumber⯑land and Durham: it is alſo found on moors or com⯑mons, in the lower parts of the county; in ſome places only a few inches thick, upon a white ſand, well known, by thoſe whoſe lot it has been to cultivate it, to be an ungrateful and unprofitable ſoil.

The ſurface is beautifully diverſified with level plains, and riſing eminences; deep ſequeſtered vales, and ſtupen⯑dous mountains; open, braky, heathy commons, and ir⯑regular incloſures, in ſome parts enriched with tufted groves and riſing plantations; the whole watered with innumerable ſtreams and extenſive lakes, abounding with fiſh of various denominations, which, with plenty of game, add to the recreation and luxury of the inhabitants.—It naturally divides into two diſtricts; the mountainous, incapa⯑ble of being improved by the plough; and the cultivatable, or all ſuch parts as have been, or can be improved by tillage.

The mountainous diſtricts are ſeparated into two divi⯑ſions, one of which bounds the eaſt ſide of the county, and is the higheſt part of that ridge of mountains, that divide the eaſtern and weſtern coaſts of the iſland, from Derbyſhire in England, to Linlithgow in Scotland. Croſs-fell, [175]Hartſide-fell, Geltſdale-foreſt, and Spadeadam-waſte, are the names of that portion of the ridge which paſſes through this county. Theſe mountains are compoſed of ſtrata of different kinds of ſtone, and are rich in coal, lime, and lead-ore; but are no way remarkable for any ſtriking irregularities of ſurface.

The other diviſion of mountainous diſtrict occupies the ſouth-weſt part of the county, known by the names of Skiddaw, Saddle-back, Helvellin, Wreynoſe, Hardknot, Sca-fell, &c. &c. remarkable for their ſteep, broken, rocky ſides, and romantic ſhapes; and are in ge⯑neral one maſs of that kind of ſtone, which produces the beautiful blue ſlate, ſo much and ſo deſervedly eſteemed for covering the roofs of houſes. They are deſtitute of coal, lime, or metallic ores; but in ſome meaſure repay this defect, by affording ſuch valuable ſlates; and produc⯑ing that ſingular mineral ſubſtance, blacklead, which is found in Borrowdale, and, it is ſaid, no where elſe in the ſouthern part of the kingdom.

The height, ruggedneſs, ſteepneſs of the ſides, (in ſome places ornamented with wood and projecting rocks) the varied forms, ſublime aſſemblage, and pictureſque beauty of theſe mountains, and the lakes they environ, form ſcenes that few other places, if any, in the iſland can equal; and have at different times exerciſed the pens of many deſcriptive writers:—it comes only within our province to remark, that this kind of ſlaty ſtone appears to be very friendly to vegetation: the ſoil which covers the ſteep ſides of theſe mountains, and found in conſiderable depth at their baſes, is in great part decayed ſlate; and the moſt fertile ſoils in the vales, we ſuſpect, have a large portion of this ſlaty matter in their compoſition; this is the caſe in the vale of Keſwick, and particularly at Mill-beck, and along the weſtern baſe of Skiddaw.

From a map of Cumberland, publiſhed by Meſſrs Hodg⯑kinſon [176]and Donald, laid down from a ſcale of two miles to an inch, we calculate, that

SECT. 5.—Minerals.

This county abounds with coal, lime, and lead-ore; it alſo produces blacklead, copper, gypſum, lapis caliminaris, and excellent ſlate.

Coal.—as obſerved in the laſt ſection, is found in many parts of the eaſtern mountains; and, with not many ex⯑ceptions, all along that tract (extending in different degrees of breadth,) from Sebergham to Whitehaven, and along the coaſt to Maryport, forming a diſtrict of about 100 ſquare miles.—Cannel coal is got in large quantities in the pariſhes of Caldbeck and Bolton.

Limeſtone—abounds in moſt parts of the eaſtern moun⯑tains, and in the pariſhes of Grayſtock, Dacre, Penrith, Broad field Common, &c. and in the neighbourhood of Egremont and Whitehaven.

Gypſum—is got in the pariſhes of Wetheral, and St. Cuthbert's, Carliſle; but has never been applied there as manure.

Lead-Ore—is got in great abundance in Alſton Moor; and, in a leſſer degree, in the pariſhes of Caldbeck, and Melmerby.—In the lead mines is alſo found the lapis ca⯑liminaris.

Copper-Ore—is found alſo at Caldbeck, Melmerby, and [177]at Heſket, but at preſent not worked with that ſucceſs which formerly attended them.

Black-Lead,—is found only in Borrowdale, a few miles weſt of Keſwick.

Blue Slates—of an excellent quality, are gotten in Bor⯑rowdale, and inferior ſorts in ſome of the neighbouring mountains.

Freeſtones—abound in moſt parts of the county; ſome of which ſplit into good ſlate: but are more heavy, leſs durable, and require ſtronger timber to ſupport them, than the blue ſlate, and are alſo more ſubject to imbibe moiſture.

SECT. 6—Waters.

Tho' this county enjoys an extent of 67 miles of ſea⯑coaſt, yet it cannot boaſt of its navigable rivers; the tide flowing not more than two or three miles up the greateſt part of them; even the Eden, by much the largeſt, is perplexed with ſhoals, and its navigation cannot be ſaid to reach beyond Sandsfield, though the tide flows a few miles further.

There are few places where water is ſo abundant and good, as this diſtrict is bleſſed with; for beſides the large rivers Eden, Derwent, Eſk, &c.—every village, and al⯑moſt every farm, enjoys the benefit of a pure ſpring, or is viſited by a rivulet. The larger rivers abound with Sal⯑mon, Trout, and various other kinds of fiſh, and the ſmaller brooks with Trouts and Eels. It is alſo orna⯑mented with many beautiful and extenſive lakes; which, with their pleaſing accompaniments, have of late years made the tour of the lakes a faſhionable amuſement, and from whence conſiderable emoluments have reſulted to the neighbouring inhabitants.

SECT. 1.—Eſtates.

THERE are probably few counties, where property in land is divided into ſuch ſmall parcels as in Cumberland, and thoſe ſmall properties ſo univerſally occupied by the owners; the annual value of theſe tenements, varies from 5l. to 50l. a year: but the generality are from 15l. to 30l. ſome few extend to 100l. or a little more.

The rental of the largeſt eſtate in the county, is ſaid to amount to about 13,000l. per annum.

SECT. 2.—Tenures.

By far the greateſt part of this county is held under lords of manors, by that ſpecies of vaſſalage, called cuſtom⯑ary tenure; ſubject to the payment of ſines and heriots, on alienation, death of the lord, or death of tenant, and the payment of certain annual rents, and performance of various ſervices, called Boon-days; ſuch as getting and lead⯑ing the lord's peats, ploughing and harrowing his land, reaping his corn, haymaking, carrying letters, &c. &c. whenever ſummoned by the lord.

We cannot pretend to be accurate, but believe, that two-thirds of the county are held by this kind of tenure, prin⯑cipally in thoſe ſmall tenements deſcribed in the laſt chap⯑ter. —The remaining part is moſtly freehold, which has increaſed with the incloſure of commons, and ſometimes whole pariſhe [...], or manors, have been enfranchiſed on theſe occaſions. Copyhold and leaſehold, are rarely met with.

SECT. 1.—Houſes of Proprietors.

DESCRIPTIONS of Gentlemen's ſeats, we preſume, come more under the notice of a topographical ſurvey, than an agricultural one; we therefore muſt refer to different touriſts, and more particularly to Hutchinſon's Hiſtory of Cumberland, now publiſhing.

SECT. 2.—Farm Houſes, &c.

Through the greateſt part of this county, the farm-houſes are remarkably well built of ſtone;^* the blue ſlate roofs, and white daſhed walls, give them a look of neat⯑neſs, that is peculiarly pleaſing, and prepoſſeſs a ſtranger with a favourable idea of the cleanlineſs of the inhabitants; an idea which he finds well-founded, on further inveſti⯑gation.

Theſe houſes have, for the moſt part, a kitchen and a parlour in front, a toofall, back-kitchen, and milk-houſe behind, with four or five lodging rooms above; the front contains five middle ſized ſaſh-windows, two below ſtairs, and three above.

Where farms are ſo very ſmall, no great extent of farm-offices [180]are wanted; a barn, a byer for houſing their cattle in winter, and a ſmall ſtable, are in general all that is ne⯑neceſſary: no regular plan for the form or ſcite, ſeems to have been adopted, every one building according to what he thinks the moſt convenient for his ſtock and ſituation; but they are moſtly built at each end of the farm-houſe. Fold-yards, ſurrounded by proper offices, with a ſhed for cattle, are very rare in many parts of the county; we be⯑lieve they are moſt prevalent in the pariſh of Heſket, and its vicinity; the beſt and largeſt we noticed was at Lord Muncaſter's.

We obſerved, in ſome parts of the county, a ſingular practice of covering the perpendicular walls of their houſes with blue ſlate, to prevent (we ſuppoſe) any kind of moiſ⯑ture from penetrating them.

Repairs are generally made at the joint expence of landlord or tenant; the former ſupporting walls, doors, and timber; and the latter thatch, ſlate, glaſs, &c.

SECT. 3.—Cottages.

Of this deſcription of buildings, there are not many purpoſely erected for labourers in agriculture, very few of that claſs being wanted in this county: as the farms are ſo ſmall, the occupiers and their families are generally ſufficient for the work without any foreign aid.

SECT. 1.—Size of Farms.

ON the large eſtates, there are ſome farms from 100l. to 150l. a year, few reach 200l. and we only heard of four or five, that got as high as 3 or 400l. a year, and one of 600l.; but the moſt general ſize of farms in this coun⯑ty, is from 15l. to 50l. a year.

Cumberland farmers may be divided into three claſſes: the occupiers of large farms; the ſmall proprietors, (pro⯑vincially "Lairds or Stateſmen;") and the ſmall farmers.

It is to the firſt claſs, and the gentlemen farmers, that this diſtrict owes the introduction of any of the modern improvements in agriculture; and we were glad to find a ſpirit of enterprize ariſing amongſt them, for the adop⯑tion of new modes of culture, and improved breeds of ſtock.

To the ſmall Proprietors,—agriculture, we preſume, is little indebted for its advancement: theſe "ſtateſmen" ſeem to inherit with the eſtates of their anceſtors, their notions of cultivating them, and are almoſt as much at⯑tached to the one as the other: they are rarely aſpiring, and ſeem content with their ſituation, nor is luxury in any ſhape an object of their deſires; their little eſtates, which they cultivate with their own hands, produce almoſt every neceſſary article of food; and cloathing, they in part manufacture themſelves; they have a high character for ſincerity and honeſty, and probably few people enjoy more eaſe and humble happineſs.

[182] The ſmall Farmer—is obliged to raiſe ſuch crops as will pay him beſt for the preſent, and avoid every expence, of which he does not receive the immediate advantage, by which means, his farm, and himſelf, are always kept in a ſtate of poverty: many of theſe ſmall farmers are alſo mechanics, and agricultural labourers, that farm from 5l. to 10 or 12l. a year.

SECT. 2—Rent.

In the vicinity of towns, land lets from 2l. to 4l. an acre; farm; at a diſtance from towns, from 5 to 30s. per acre; in general the average may be ſtated at about 15s per acre; rent is almoſt univerſally paid in money.

SECT 3—Tithes.

Tithes are moſtly taken in kind; a few pariſhes pay a modus in lieu of tithes, and others are tithe-free, in con⯑ſequence of a portion of common being given to the im⯑proprietor.

SECT. 4—Poor Rates.

At Carliſle, 2s 0d.—Wigton, 2s. 6d—Aldſton, 3s. 0d—Harnington. 1s 6 [...]—Kirkoſwald, 1s 8d.—And in m [...]ny of the country pariſhes, they vary from 6d. to 10d. per pound.

SECT. 5.—Leaſes.

The noblemen and gentlemen who enjoy the moſt con⯑ſiderable landed property in this county, let no leaſes; ſome have verbal contracts for ſeven years, which are next to none; and of thoſe who let leaſes, the term is on⯑ly for five, ſeven or nine years; beſides the uſual reſer⯑vations of mines, wood, &c. the tenant convenants to pay [183]the rent, ceſſes, taxes, and to keep all in repair; ſome are confined to a certain quantity of tillage, and to fallow one-fourth yearly; others are under no reſtraint of this kind; a few others are conſined to lay on a certain quan⯑tity of lime, and to ſow with white clover and hay-ſeeds, the lands that are laid to graſs: theſe are the principal covenants that affect agriculture. To enumerate ſuch as are of a local nature, reſpecting the performance of cuſ⯑ſtoms, ſervices, grinding corn, payment of chickens, &c. would add little to the improvement of agriculture, or enlargement of rural Science.

SECT. 6.—Expence and Profit.

For the mode of inveſtigating this ſubject, we muſt re⯑fer to the Northumberland Report, page 33.

SECT. 1.—Tillage.

TILLAGE-LAND is here commonly ploughed by horſes; a team of oxen, we believe, is not to be found in the county: the horſes are yoked double, and driven with cords by the ploughman. An acre is accounted a good day's work; and on light ſoils, an acre and a half.

The ridges are very narrow, from 5 to 7 feet, being the common breadth, whether in corn or in graſs.

Fallows for wheat or turnips,—are ploughed once in the Autumn, by the beſt cultivators, and four or five times in the courſe of the ſucceeding Summer.

Barley—is ſown on one ploughing after turnips: but after a white crop, (as in rotation firſt) they plough twice, and manure with 20 or 30 cart-loads of dung: ſome add lime.

Oats—are always ſown on one ploughing.

SECT. 2—Fallowing.

Fallowing for wheat and turnips, is practiſed in many parts of this county; four or five ploughings and harrow⯑ings, is the general practice: we ſaw ſome very clean, and well managed, gathered up into neat narrow ridges, on which the wheat was looking very healthy.

SECT. 3.—Rotation of Crops.

The moſt prevalent ſyſtem, through a great part of this county, is, to have a crop of white corn every year [189]while in ploughing: ſuch cultivators make no fallows, except ploughing twice, and manuring for barley, can be deemed ſuch.

Where a field is ploughed out from graſs, they have oats—oats,—barley,—oats; or, oats,—barley,—oats,— oats, &c. &c. for nine or twelve years, and then left to graſs for ſeven or nine years. Some few ſow hay-ſeeds and a little white clover; but the greateſt part leave it to nature.^*

Where they fallow for wheat, the rotation is,

• 1 Fallow
• 2 Wheat
• 3 Oats, or Barley
• 4 Oats,—for 3 or 4 rotations, and then left for graſs, for ſeven or nine years; ſome few ſow clover and hay ſeeds.

In thoſe places where the turnip culture is practiſed, the rotation is,

• 1 Turnips
• 2 Barley
• 3 Clover
• 4 Ditto
• 5 Oats.
• 6 Ditto.

Or,

• 1 Turnips
• 2 Wheat
• [190]3 Barley
• 4 Clover
• 5 Ditto
• 6 Oats.

We are glad to find, that two or three individuals have adopted the idea of not taking two white crops in ſuc⯑ceſſion, and purſue the excellent rotation of turnips,— barley,—clover two years,—then oats, or wheat.

SECT. 4.—Crops commonly cultivated.

Wheat is a modern production here; a general opinion uſed to prevail, that wheat could not be grown in many parts of this county. We were informed that it is not much more than 40 years, ſince Summer fallows for wheat were firſt uſed; and it is not twenty years ſince Lord Muncaſter introduced Summer fallows, and the cul⯑ture of wheat, in the neighbourhood of Ravenglaſs, where it is now grown in great abundance, as well as all along the coaſt to Scotland, and in the neighbourhood of Car⯑liſle. The wheat that is ſown after turnips or clover, is trifling, the main ſupply is from Summer fallows; they generally ſow two buſhels and a half per acre, in Septem⯑ber or October, as the ſeaſon ſuits, and they reap from ſixteen to thirty buſhe's per acre.

Barley and Oats, being the grains from which the bread of the inhabitants is made, were probably the firſt, and only corn, grown in this county for many centuries; bigg or bear, with four rows of grains on the ear, was the kind of barley formerly cultivated; but lately, the common early ſort, with two rows, has been introduced. They ſow two and a half buſhels per acre, in April or May, and reap twenty-one buſhels on an average.

The Common Oat, was the only variety grown in this county, and is now by far the moſt prevalent; but of late [191]years, a few enterpriſing individuals have introduced the early varieties of this grain, with great advantage; they are diſtinguiſhed from the common oat by the name of layland oat, and are the Dutch or Frieſland oat.^*

The quantity ſown,—is from four to ſix buſhels per acre.

The time of ſowing,—March or April.

The Produce—from 15 to 40 buſhels per acre; but the average of the county was ſtated to us, to be only 20 buſhels per acre.

Peaſe.—In a climate where ſo much rain falls, and where the harveſt is ſo precarious, the culture of peaſe would be attended with ſo many chances of loſs, and ſo few of gain, that we were not ſurpriſed to find them ſo generally neglected. The difficulty of harveſting them, has probably firſt ſuggeſted the idea, of building their ſtacks in the cloughs ^† of trees, and afterwards in ſlender high pyramids round the boles of tall trees, to prevent them from blowing over: by this method, they can alſo lead and ſtack them, in a damper or moiſter ſtate; and as they do not come near the ground by five or ſix feet, they are ſeldom troubled with mice. The greateſt diame⯑ter of the ſtacks is not more than ſix or ſeven feet; the height of many twelve or fifteen; if the tree has not a ſufficiency of convenient branches to bear the bottom, they nail a ſtick or two acroſs, to form a baſe. When finiſhed, they have a very ſingular appearance.

Turnips, were firſt cultivated in this county, to any ef⯑fect, for the uſe of cattle, by Philip Howard, Eſq of Cor⯑by [192]in the year 1755: his firſt eſſay was drilled at four feet diſtance; the crop amazingly good; the weight on an average, 10 lb. each turnip; ſome weighed 25 lb; he afterwards continued to grow them at two feet, and two and a half feet diſtance, with conſtant ſucceſs, for eight or ten years, before any farmer followed the example; at laſt, Mr Collins, of Wetherall, made a trial, and ſuc⯑ceeded; others ſoon followed him

It is, therefore, about thirty years ſince a few farm⯑ers firſt began to cultivate turnips; and conſidering with what tardineſs new modes of practice generally make their way amongſt that uſeful claſs of ſociety, it is no wonder that the growing of turnips ſhould, in a great meaſure, be ſtill confined to the vicinity where their cultivation originated, and we ſuppoſe, by the mode of practice, that from this ſource may be traced the various patches of turnips we obſerved at Netherby, Burgh, Dalton, and a few other places.

The land, after being made ſufficiently fine by repeated ploughings and harrowings, is ſet up in one-bout ridges^* at 30 inches diſtance; the dung is put in the bottom of the hollow intervals, and covered with earth by the plough; the top of the one-bout ridge is flattened by trailing a piece of wood over it, and on the flattened top the turnip ſeed is ſown by a drill, which a man puſhes be⯑fore him like a wheel-barrow.

The drilled turnips are hoed, and ſet out a about eight or nine inches diſtance in the rows, which are ploughed between by a ſmall plough.

Hoeing broad-caſt turnips is not underſtood; if any are ſown this way, they go unhoed; and if too thick, are [193]hand-weeded. Meſſ. Williamſon and Monkhouſe paid 20s. per acre this year, (1793) for hand-weeding their broad-caſt turnips.

The value of this excellent vegetable is not ſufficiently underſtood in this county, otherwiſe it muſt have made a more rapid progreſs. Probably this may be owing to its being applied to feeding their own breed of ſheep. We ſaw ſeveral acres of turnips this year, that were ſold for, from 3l. to 3l. 10s. per acre, which a Northumberland grazier would have thought worth five or ſix pounds an acre, for feeding the improved breed of long-woolled ſheep.

Potatoes are cultivated in one-bout ridges, by almoſt every farmer, not only for the uſe of their own families, but for ſale, where the ſituation is not too diſtant from a good market. It is only upon the eſtate of Sir James Graham, at Netherby, that they are applied to feeding cattle and ſwine: and by Lord Muncaſter, to feeding cattle, who alſo gives them to his horſes; Mr Lamb and Mr Blalock favoured us with the following particulars:

Mr Blalock feeds cows, and ſays, that 120 buſhels of potatoes, with 16 ſtones of oatmeal, will fatten a cow in three months, equally well as turnips, of 3 or 4l. value.

The ſmall farmers apply potatoes to feeding ſwine: thirty buſhels of potatoes and ten of corn, made in⯑to meal, will fatten a ſwine of eighteen or twenty ſtones weight, equal to corn of 1l. 15s. value. The potatoes are boiled, and meal mixed with them.

From theſe data, the value of potatoes may be nearly eſtimated:

From the above it appears, that potatoes for feeding cows, or ſwine, are worth no more than 4d. per buſhel. They eſtimate a fair average crop of potatoes to be 240 buſhels per acre; the value at 4d. per buſhel, is only 4l. out of which the ſeed ought to be deducted, the other expences attending the cultivation of potatoes and turnips being much upon a par

The land on which theſe potatoes are grown, is a moſt excellent turnip ſoil, and would produce turnips, almoſt any year, worth 5l. per acre for feeding cattle or ſheep.^* From the above ſtatement it appears, that an acre of po⯑tatoes is of leſs value, than an acre of turnips for feeding cattle. Mr Lamb has been long convinced of this, and ſays, that the practice of applying potatoes to feeding cattle and ſwine, is every year loſing ground, and the cul⯑ture of turnips, which was pretty general here twenty years ſince, (but gave way to potatoes) is now, in its turn, regaining the ſituation it ſo juſtly deſerves.

SECT. 5.—Crops not commonly cultivated.

Beans—we were informed are ſeldom cultivated with ſucceſs; the failure may probably be owing to their being ſown broad caſt, without manure, and not hoed: we would recommend, to ſome ſpirited cultivator, to try them in drills at 30 inches intervals, ſo as to admit of be⯑ing [195]horſe-hoed, and ploughed between; this mode we can recommend, on the ſucceſsful practice of ſeveral years.^*

Cabbages—have been cultivated by Lord Muncaſter' Dr Harriſon of Penrith, and a few others in that vicinity.

Carrots—have alſo been tried by Lord Muncaſter, who found them a very troubleſome and expenſive crop, owing to the abundance of weeds, occaſioned by the great rains and moiſture of the climate.

Flax—is cultivated in ſmall quantities, on the northern extremities of the county, for family uſe; but much leſs now than formerly

SECT. 1.—Natural Meadows and Paſtures.

NATURAL meadows are generally found in narrow ſtrips by the ſides of rivers. "The largeſt tract of na⯑tural meadow, in this county, is in the pariſh of Scaleby, which lets for 28s. per acre: alſo between the lakes of Keſwick and Baſſenthwaite, there is a conſiderable extent of natural meadow.

Natural paſtures are not very numerous in the cul⯑tivateable diſtricts of the county; unleſs ſuch may be called natural paſture, which is left to nature to cover with herbage after having been exhauſted with growing corn. If by natural paſtures be underſtood ſuch as have [196]never been diſturbed by the plough, there will be found great abundance in this county; as not only all the com⯑mons in the cultivateable diſtricts, but the mountains may come under that denomination.

SECT. 2.—Artificial Graſſes.

Artificial Graſſes, are here confined to a ſmall number —red clover, (trifolium pratenſe) white clover (trifolium repens) common hay-feeds, with a little rib graſs (plan⯑tago lanceolata) and ray-graſs, (lolium perenne.)

We were informed, that in 1752, no perſon in the county had thought of ſowing a field down with clover, or even hay-ſeeds; and that Philip Howard, Eſq. of Cor⯑by, was the firſt who ſowed a field with clover, and taught his countrymen the uſe of artificial graſſes; yet it is but a few that have benefited by his laudable exertions.

Red Clover, is principally ſown where the turnip culture, and ſummer-fallowing for wheat, are practiſed, and the land continues only two years in graſs: it is generally mown the firſt year, and depaſtured the ſecond. The great objection to growing this valuable graſs, is the hov⯑ing of cattle, which may be obviated by depaſturing it with ſheep, or by a little caution in having the cattle pretty full, before they are turned into it, and to take care to put them to it on a dry day. Some object to it, becauſe they have taken a fancy that it impoveriſhes the ſoil. Old Ellis ſays, "Clover is the mother of corn." We believe that, could the Cumberland farmers be induced to make an experiment, they would be of the ſame opinion, and would find their profits ſo ſuperior to what they are at preſent, that they would become converts to the cauſe. We hope we do not exaggerate when we ſay, that the profits of red clover for two years, would be double to that derived from the ſame quantity of ground ſown with [197]white clover, rib graſs, and hay-ſeeds; and that the pro⯑fits of the ſucceeding crop of corn would be nearly in the ſame ratio.

White Clover, has many advocates, and is certainly a valuable plant, where land is intended to continue in graſs for a few years, which is generally the caſe here; and by thoſe who ſow any kind of graſs ſeeds, it is in great repute; it is ſeldom or never ſown alone, but ac⯑companied by what is here called common hay-ſeeds, which are generally harmleſs, from the heat they moſtly get in the ſtacks, and their vegetative powers thereby deſtroyed: where that is not the caſe, we fear more weeds than uſe⯑ful plants would be the produce; for when it is conſider⯑ed, that of the uſeful plants which compoſe a good mea⯑dow, ſcarce two of them flower and ripen at the ſame period; and as the time of mowing is governed more by the weather, or other circumſtances, than the collection of uſeful ſeeds, it may happen, that not one valuable plant may then have its ſeeds in that ſtate of perfection, which is neceſſary for the reproduction of its ſpecies; at the ſame time it is probable, that you may obtain the ſeeds of many plants, which you would wiſh to avoid.

Rib Graſs, is ſown in ſome places where land is intend⯑ed to continue in graſs.

Ray-graſs, has here but few advocates; a general pre⯑judice againſt this plant ſeems to have taken place, we think unjuſtly, for we are convinced, from long experi⯑ence, that under proper management, it is a valuable graſs; it grows in all ſoils, and in all ſituations; early in the Spring, and late in Autumn; and even thro' Win⯑ter, on dry ſoils and in open weather: the only reaſon⯑able objection we know of, is the great propenſity it hath to run to ſeed; but this may be eaſily obviated, by eating it bare with cattle, or by mowing the paſture juſt before [198]it begins to flower, which increaſes the eatage, by the quantity of bottom graſs it ſends forth after the opera⯑tion.

It is the propereſt graſs we know, to ſow along with red or white clover; and we would beg leave to recom⯑mend it, inſtead of common hay-ſeeds, ſo univerſally ſown in this county, with clover, both red and white.

SECT 3.—Hay Harveſt.

The hay harveſt is here in the months of July and Auguſt; the modes of management various, according to the nature of the graſs, weather, and notions of the farm⯑er: we do not find any thing peculiarly excellent in their practice; the only ſingularity is, that the occupiers of ſmall farms, in ſome parts of the county, put the whole of their hay into barns; the larger farmers ſtack their's at the door.

SECT. 4—Feeding.

The moſt general ſyſtem of grazing is,—on the richeſt grounds, cattle with a few ſheep; on the leſs luxuriant, ſheep only.

The kinds of cattle uſually fatted are the native coun⯑try breed, and Scotch cattle, both Kyloes and the Gal⯑loway kind. Of theſe, they ſind the Kyloes the quickeſt feeders, the Galloway next, and their own country breed of long horns the ſloweſt.

The proſits of grazing cattle depend much on the ſkill of the buyer, in ſelecting the quickeſt feeders; and, when fat, in ſelling them for their full value; alſo, not unfre⯑quently, on the ſtate of markets.

The beſt grazing lands we ſaw were at Pap Caſtle, near Cockermouth, let at 3l per acre; and the holm lands on both ſides the Eden, near Carliſle, let at 2l. 10s. per acre, for the purpoſes of grazing only. Mr Tealſon, of the [199]former place, buys in oxen and heifers in October, keeps them all Winter upon the paſtures out of which his fat ſtock has been recently ſold, and gives them a little hay in bad weather. After keeping them near twelve months, they leave, on an average, a profit of 5l each; their weight, from fifty to ſixty ſtone. But this interligent gentleman was candid enough to confeſs, that he thought ſheep, mixed amongſt cattle, a more profitable ſyſtem; and we were glad to find this mode practiſed by all the beſt gra⯑ziers in the county.

Of Sheep-grazing, there are two branches; firſt, feed⯑ing wethers; and, ſecondly, ewes for fat lambs: they are both bought in the Autumn, are kept on graſs the whole time, and get no other food, except hay in ſtormy wea⯑ther.

There are a few who buy in wethers, to feed upon tur⯑nips, [200]and ſell them in the Spring, to Mancheſter and Liverpool.

The kinds of ſheep grazed are, the country breed, the true black-faced heath ſheep, and the Cheviot ſheep. The moſt experienced graziers all agreed, that the true black-faced heath ſheep were quicker feeders, and a hardier race, than the Cheviot.^*

SECT. 1.—Draining.

DRAINING, is one of thoſe improvements which has been introduced of late years into the northern counties; and where it is done with judgment, is, in many ſitua⯑tions, of the greateſt conſequence.—Cumberland has not been behind its neigbours in adopting this beneficial mea⯑ſure: we were glad to obſerve, in many places, great ad⯑vantages gained, both by hollow and ſurface drains; ſome done with great art, by one or more hollow drains run⯑ning in the direction of the outburſt of water, and cut deep enough to get through the bed of ſand or gravel in which the water runs, and by that means arreſt the ſource, which drowns the land below it; but the like intelligence has not in all places prevailed, for we often ſaw the drains running in parallel directions, perpendicular to the ſource, and at ſuch diſtances, as the drainer thought the nature of the ſoil required; this is more particularly the caſe, where ſurface drains are uſed. The hollow drains are [205]filled with ſtones when they can be got, otherwiſe with ſods.

SECT. 2.—Paring and Burning.

This operation is ſeldom performed in this county, ex⯑cept on heathy, or coarſe grounds: the expence about 15s. per acre.

SECT. 3.—Manuring.

Farm-yard dung, is here, as in moſt other places, the chief reſource of the farmer: where turnips are grown, it is wholly applied to their culture; where they are not grown, it is uſed for the various purpoſes of dreſſing graſs land, and for the barley and wheat crops.

Lime, is found in great abundance in many parts of this county, and of an excellent quality. The quantity laid upon an acre varies from ſixty to an hundred and fifty buſhels; we found it a general opinion, that lime did lit⯑tle good to land that had been long accuſtomed to it; and that thoſe who had uſed the large quantity of 150 buſhels per acre, found their lands greatly exhauſted, and were now fully convinced of their error in continuing it ſo long, eſpecially in ſuch large quantities. We have had many opportunities of obſerving the abuſe of lime, which, moſt probably, is one of the beſt manures known, for particular ſoils and ſituations, and under peculiar circum⯑ſtances, and proper reſtrictions; yet, like many other good things, a ſuperabundance may be prejudical; or rather, we are ſenſible, that too often repeated, and in large quantities, it becomes hurtful.

Lime is moſtly laid on, while the land is in a ſtate of fallow; but in ſome places, we found it laid upon the graſs land, one or two years before they intended to plough it out. We doubt the propriety of the latter mode.

[206] Tangle, or Sea-Weed, is uſed along the coaſt, wherever it can be got; the quantity per acre is fifty or ſixty cart-loads. This is known to be a valuable manure, either for corn, turnips, or graſs, wherever it can be had.

Slake or Mud, left by the tide, is uſed in the neighbour⯑hood of Ravenglaſs, with good effect, on the graſs lands, fifty or ſixty cart-loads per acre.

Muſcles, are alſo uſed in the neighbourhood of Raven⯑glaſs, for manure, after the rate of five or ſix cart-loads per acre; they are got on the ſands adjoining the coaſt.

Sea Sand.—An accidental experiment of Lord Muncaſ⯑ter's ſhewed its utility in deſtroying moſs, but it is not uſed as a manure.

Compoſt.—It ſeems a general practice through every part of the county, to make a compoſt of lime and earth, in the proportion of one cart-load of lime, to four or five of earth; they uſe it as a top-dreſſing to their graſs lands, and find it very beneficial.

SECT. 4.—Weeding.

All kinds of grain are ſown broad-caſt; the only weeding it gets is by hand: hoeing a crop of corn, we be⯑lieve, was never once practiſed in the county. Turnips and potatoes are the only crops in which weeds are de⯑ſtroyed by hoeing.

SECT. 5—Watering.

The only attempts we ſaw of this ſpecies of improve⯑ment, that had the leaſt reſemblance to a watered meadow laid out by art, was at Bleatarn (about ſix miles eaſt of Carliſle,) belonging to Mr Richardſon of Rickerby, to whom his country is highly indebted, for the ſpirited ex⯑ample he has ſet in many other improvements. We were [207]ſorry to find, there was little more water than what was collected by rains; the ridges narrow and long; the trenches ſmall, and inadequate to carry a ſufficient quan⯑tity of water, for the purpoſe intended. It is unfortu⯑nate, that the firſt attempt ſhould have been made in ſuch a ſituation, and under ſuch circumſtances, in a county ſo pregnant with favourable ſituations, and the water of ſuch an excellent quality, uncontaminated with mineral particles, or infuſions that are ſuſpected to be inimical to vegetation.

SECT. 6.—Improving Heath Lands.

The beſt mode of improving peat earth, being a deſi⯑deratum of great conſequence, the more facts that can be collected upon this head, the more light will be thrown on the ſubject, and the more likely we ſhall be to obtain the object ſought for.

At Bleatarn, Mr Richardſon has made great improve⯑ment, on a poor black moory ſoil, growing very ſhort heath, in its original ſtate, not worth ſixpence per acre. He ploughs in Autumn, and lets it lie till the Autumn following; then ploughs acroſs; and the next Summer makes a complete fallow, which he limes, after the rate of one hundred and fifty buſhels per acre; and in April or May following ſows it with graſs-ſeeds (without corn) in the following proportion per acre: white clover, 8 lb.; red, 4 lb.; rib-graſs, 4 lb.; ray-graſs, 1½ buſhels; and common hay-ſeeds, 6 buſhels.

Another mode is to plough up in the Winter, and leave it in that ſtate thro' the Summer, to rot, until next Spring, when it is ploughed acroſs, and made ſufficiently fine by repeated harrowings, ploughings, and burning of the ſods, to ſow with turnips in June: to the above quantity of lime is added 30 ſingle-horſe cart loads of dung. On a part of the fallow this year, we ſaw ſome drilled turnips, [208]worth 3l. an acre: in addition to the lime, they had fifty ſingle-horſe cart-loads of dung per acre: but as dung is rarely to be procured for improvements of this kind, we think, that a crop of rape might be got for Spring ſeed, without dung, which would certainly be better than a naked fallow, as in the firſt mode. The lands that have been laid down two years, were full of graſs,^* and excellent paſture for ſheep; but to make them thus pro⯑ductive, they are loaded with the following expences, which, according to Mr Richardſon's eſtimate, including the various ploughings, harrowings, lime, dung, graſs-ſeeds, intereſt of money, &c. amount to 11l. 11s. 6d. per acre: from which taking the value of the turnips 3l. leaves 8l. 11s. 6d. the expence per acre, on the graſs.

Near Naward Caſtle, Mr Ramſhay has made great ex⯑ertions in reclaiming peat-moſs, by throwing it up with a ſpade, into round ridges ſeven yards wide; the top being from twelve to eighteen inches higher than the furrow, which is cut deep enough to act as an open drain. In this ſtate it lies all Winter: In the Spring following, he covers it nearly an inch thick, with a compoſt, formed of five loads of earth, to one of lime; and upon this dreſſ⯑ing, ſows,

Where the land is dry enough, they plough; and, to the above quantity of graſs-ſeeds, add a few pounds of white clover.

Mr Ramſhay uſes few hollow drains. Thoſe that re⯑quire to be three or four feet deep, he ſlopes off at the [209]into which the furrow drains empty. We ſaw ſome lands that had been done two years; the ray-graſs and rib-graſs growing well; the woolly holcus (holcus lanatus) in abundance: it comes naturally on all ſuch ſoils; but is a graſs that few kinds of ſtock will eat, un⯑leſs compelled by hunger.

Mr Ramſhay informed us, the expences of making theſe improvements amounted to 10l. an acre; of courſe, both this and Mr Richardſon's, to pay common intereſt for the money expended, ought to let at 10s. an acre for a term of 21 years.

SECT. 1.—Cattle.

THE Cattle, are a ſmall breed of long horns, with a few exceptions of the Galloway breed intermixed, particularly along the coaſt from Whitehaven to Carlifle.

This breed of long-horns is not diſtinguiſhed by any pe⯑culiar good qualities, which is not to be wondered at, when it is conſidered that, probably at this time, there is not one perſon in the county that pays any attention to its improvement. Twenty years ago Mr Hazle, of Dale⯑main, had made ſome progreſs in this buſineſs, and gain⯑ed a very uſeful breed of long-horned cattle; but his ſuc⯑ceſſors neglected them, and the labours of the good old man are totally loſt.

[210]The long-horned, and the Galloway polled cattle, are probably the beſt adapted to this county of any other; but the kind of long-horns that occupy it at preſent, may certainly be much improved, by paying proper attention, to breed always from the beſt males and females that can be ſelected. This end would be the readieſt attained, by getting good bulls and heifers from the midland counties, where the long-horned breed are brought to great per⯑fection.

The Dairies are ſmall, and moſtly employed in making butter, of an excellent quality. Thoſe that are ſituated in the vicinity of towns, ſell it weekly, by the pound, to ſupply the conſumption of the inhabitants. In other ſituations, it is put into firkins of 56 lb each, and ſent to diſtant markets.

The average quantity of butter from one cow, is generally eſtimated from one to two firkins: ſome cows will give twelve quarts of milk at a meal, and make ſeven pounds of butter per week; but the moſt general average is, ſeven or eight quarts of milk at a meal, and from 3 to 5 pounds of butter per week, through the Summer.

Skimmed milk cheeſe, is the principal kind made here, and chiefly conſumed at home.

On thoſe farms that have a right of common, the graſs lands are employed through the Summer in growing hay, depaſturing their cows, and ſometimes young cattle; but the latter are more generally ſummered on the commons, and in Autumn brought into the old incloſures, till the approach of Winter, when all the cattle are houſed.

SECT. 2.—Sheep.

The ſheep bred in this county are only of two kinds, []

[211]and theſe two are probably ſomething related; one of them is peculiar to that high, expoſed, rocky, mountain⯑ous diſtrict, at the head of the Duddon and Eſk rivers, more particularly known by the names of Hardknot, Sealefell, Wrynoſe, &c.

Of this breed of ſheep, (commonly called Herdwicks,) the ewes and wethers are all polled or hornleſs, and alſo many of the tups; their faces and legs ſpeckled; but a great portion of white, with a few black ſpots on thoſe parts, are accounted marks of the pureſt breed, as are alſo the hornleſs tups; they have ſine, ſmall, clean legs. We were told that the lambs, when dropt, are well covered; the wool is ſhort, and form as thick matted fleece, much finer than that of the black-faced heath ſheep; with which variety they ſeem to have been croſſed, as we ſuſ⯑pect, from ſome of the rams having ſpiral horns, and from ſome kemps or hairs being intermixed amongſt ſome fleeces of the wool: they are a lively little animal, well adapted to ſeek their food amongſt theſe rocky mountains, in many places ſtony and bare; and where covered, the ſoil is thin, but the herbage moſtly green, though heath is found on their ſummits. They have no hay in Win⯑ter, and ſupport themſelves in the deepeſt ſnows, by ſcratching down to the heath, or other herbage; indeed it ſeldom happens, but that ſome parts of the mountains are blown bare, which the ſheep find out. They do not face the coming ſtorm as reported, but, like other ſheep, turn their backs on it; and, in ſuch weather, they gener⯑ally gather together, and keep ſtirring about; by which means they tread down the ſnow, keep above it, and are rarely over-blown.

The loſs per cent per ann. is of hogs ^* from 5 to 10.— Ditto ditto of old ſheep—2 to 5.

[212]The ewes are kept as long as they will breed lambs, and are often from ten to fifteen years of age before they are ſold: the wethers go off at four and a half years old. Both ewes and wethers are ſold from theſe mountains, and killed without being put on any better paſture: we ſaw a carcaſe of one of the wethers at Ravenglaſs, very good mutton, which weighed 11 lb. a quarter, and had 10 or 12 lb. of tallow. The ewes weigh from 6 to 8 lb. a quar⯑ter; the fleece weighs 2 lb. and ſoid laſt year at 6d. per lb. which we think much below its value.

The mountains on which theſe ſheep are bred, happen not to be common, but belong to Lord Muncaſter; as do alſo the ſtock that depaſture them, which have, time im⯑memorial, been farmed out to herds, at a yearly ſum. From this circumſtance, theſe farms (three or four in number) have obtained the name of Herdwicks; that is, the diſtrict of the herds; and the ſheep, the appellation of Herdwick ſheep. They have obtained ſuch a character for hardineſs of conſtitution, that Mr Tyſon,^* who farms the principal flock, ſells a number of tups every year into va⯑rious parts of the county, to improve the hardineſs of other ſlocks; the price is often as high as two guineas and a half.

The ſheep, through the whole of this county (except the Herdwicks) have been deſcended from the black-faced, coarſe-woolled, heath ſheep; but by croſſing with ſome o⯑ther kind, (probably the Herdwicks) many of them have acquired a large portion of white on their faces and legs; ſome have thoſe parts ſpeckled, and others totally black; they are in general horned, high ſhouldered, narrow back⯑ed, flat ſided, ſtrong boned, and many with thick, rough, hairy legs. The wool is coarſe and long, but falls ſhort in [213]both theſe reſpects to what is produced by the black-faced ſheep from Moſſat and Linton in Scotland, and the Kent⯑more ſheep in Weſtmoreland; the fleece weighs from 3 to 4 lb. which ſold in 1793 for 5½d. per pound.

The management of ſheep, over all this county, is very ſimilar; through the Summer the whole flock is depaſ⯑tured on the commons, and range at large without any perſon to look after them: in November, the whole are gathered together and ſalved;^* the old ſheep are turned again upon the common, but the hogs are kept in the old incloſures; ſome part of which has been kept uneat⯑en, to ſupport them through the Winter: on the approach of ſnow, the old ſheep are brought to the incloſures, or to ſome part of the common adjoining, and are daily fod⯑dered with hay, while the ſtorm continues. Thoſe who have not a ſuſſiciency of incloſed ground for wintering their hogs, take wintering for them, in thoſe parts of the low country where they do not breed ſheep; the price, 2s. per head, to have hay in bad weather.

In Eſkdale and Mitredale, they formerly kept their hogs in the houſe all Winter on hay, and drove them to water once a day; but this practice is now laid aſide, and they winter them upon the incloſed grounds, which are previouſly kept freſh for that purpoſe. They give no hay to their ſheep here, which are a good deal of the Herd⯑wick blood.

The ſheep are ſold in Autumn, to graziers. The price of thoſe from the eaſtern part of the county, are,

We have no heſitation in ſaying, that the breeds may be improved, for there are few places where they have been more neglected. At Penruddock we obſerved ſome ſingularly rough legged, ill-formed ſheep; on aſking an old farmer, from whence they had that breed, or where they got their tups? He innocently replied, Lord, Sir! they are ſik as God ſet upon the land, we never change any! The latter pare of this ſimple ſtatement we readily believe; but that God ſet upon the land ſuch ill-formed, unproſita⯑ble animals, we cannot ſo readily aſſent to; and rather think, they have acquired their preſent ill-form, and bad properties, by the indolence and ignorance of the owners. We wiſh we could avoid adding, that the ſame practice which guides the men of Penruddock, is too prevalent in every part of the county

We found, in general, that the ſheep breeders here, like thoſe in moſt other countries, are very much attach⯑ed to their own breed. As they have never tried any o⯑ther, they cannot be admitted as proper judges, of the comparative merit of different kinds of ſheep; but ſup⯑poſing, for the preſent, their own breed to be well adapt⯑ed to their ſituation, why not improve them, by ſelecting the beſt males and females, and rear a better offspring of their own kind? or, by hiring, or buying, ſome of Mr Tyſon's BEST FORMED and FINEST WOOLLED Herd-wick tups, inſtead of getting tups from Kentmore in Weſtmoreland, which appeared (from what we ſaw) to have nothing to recommend them, (in our opinion) but ſize and c [...]rſeneſs. The ſhape of theſe ſheep is, in every reſ⯑pect, the reverſe of what it ought to be; the back nar⯑row, [215]the carcaſe long and thin, ſupported upon large rough legs, with coarſe hairy wool hanging down from their throats all the way to their breaſt, which, on a wet day, gives them as much the appearance of goats as ſheep.

Within the laſt three years, a few long-woolled ſheep have been introduced into this county, from the York⯑ſhire Wolds, by Lord Muncaſter; from Northumberland, by Mr Blacklock, of Corby; Mr Richardſon, of Rickaby; Mr Porter, Carliſle; Mr Falder, near Roes Caſtle; Mr Lamb, Netherby; and probably a few others:—and ſince our viſiting this county in 1793, to the above names we are happy to add thoſe of Mr Graham, of Barrock Lodge; Mr Loſh, of Woodſide; Mr Stalker, of Lambsknow, &c.; who have not only hired tups at conſiderable prices, but even purchaſed ewes at as high prices, as from 4l. to 5l. each.

SECT. 3.—Horſes.

The Horſes are middle ſized, from fourteen to fifteen and a half hands high, of various colours; but bays and cheſnuts ſeem the moſt prevalent; for a ſmall farm, where horſes muſt anſwer for both draught and riding, they are probably moſt ſuitable; but certainly might be improved, by ſtallions from the North-Riding of Yorkſhire, the beſt breed of horſes we know for the double purpoſe above-mentioned.

About 70 or 80 years ſince, teams of oxen, or oxen yoked with horſes, were very common; from that pe⯑riod, draught oxen gradually decreaſed; and for ſome years paſt we were informed, there has not been an ox team in the county.

Almoſt every ſmall farmer breeds his own horſes, and generally more than are neceſſary, for the cultivation of his farm; theſe are often purchaſed by dealers, for the pur⯑poſe of ſupplying the light horſe regiments.

SECT. 4.—Swine.

Swine are bred and fed here in conſiderable numbers; every farmer fattens one or more of theſe animals, and moſt labourers and mechanics rear and feed each a pig; at about 10 months old they are confined in the ſty for the purpoſe of fatting on barley or oatmeal, and potatoes: their weight is from 15 to 20 ſtone.

SECT. 5.—Rabbits.

Some narrow tracts of light ſandy ground along the coaſt, from Harrington to Abbey-holm, are occupied by rabbits. There are alſo warrens in the pariſhes of Wyber⯑thwaite, Drig, and Heſkit.

SECT. 6—Poultry.

The minute diviſion of landed property occaſions a⯑bundance of poultry: the numerous waters, lakes and commons, facilitate the keeping of large flocks of geeſe; which are fed on the ſtubbles, and ſupply the market plentifully, from the latter end of October, to Chriſtmas.

SECT. 7.—Pigeons,

Are rarely found with the farmers; they are principally kept and bred by gentlemen of property, as articles of luxury.

SECT. 8—Bees,

Are found thro' every part of the county, and in ſome ſituations are very profitable. It is a prevailing opinion, that they thrive beſt in the vicinity of Heath (erica vulga⯑ris) Hence it would appear, that this plant abounds with their favourite food; but as it is late of flowering, they ſhould alſo be in the neighbourhood of a ſheltered [217]early ſituation, to enjoy the benefit of the Spring flowers: where theſe cannot be united, it would probably be right to remove them from one to the other, to ſuit the ſea⯑ſons.

SECT. 1.—Labour.

FROM the number of ſmall farms, there is an uncer⯑tainty of a day labourer meeting with conſtant employ⯑ment; as the occupiers want aſſiſtance only on particular occaſions.

On this principle we account for the high wages given in this county; through the whole of which, there is an univerſal cuſtom of giving the labourers victuals, both men and women; the wages are,

For men, per day, 10d. and victuals; in harveſt, 1s. and victuals—For women, hay-making, 8d. and victuals;—harveſt, 10d. and victuals.—The hours from 6 to 6.

The victuals are eſtimated at 8d. per day for men, and 6d. for women. Servants kept in the houſe, are only hired for half a year, to prevent gaining ſettlements.—Their wages for that time are, a man, from 5l. to 7l.—Women, 2l. to 3l—Maſons, without victuals, are from 1s. 8d. to 2s. per day; Carpenters, 1s. 6d.

When work is done by the piece, the prices are as fol⯑lows:

SECT. 2—Proviſions.

Grain of all kinds is generally very high; the average price in 1793, was,

Poultry—A ſtubble gooſe, 2s.—duck 8d. a fowl 6d.—eggs from 3d. to 6d. per dozen.

Fiſh.—Salmon, 6d. per lb.—trout 3 d.

We ſuſpect the butchers' meat, through all the markets of the county, is not overloaded with fat: what we ſaw at Carliſle and Whitehaven was lean indeed!—At the latter place, we did not ſee one carcaſe of decent mutton,—the greateſt part of it would not have be [...]n ſuffered to appear in Newcaſtle, and many other markets, that are accuſtom⯑ed to ſee good mutton; a joint of lean Whitehaven mut⯑ton, is deater at 3d. p.r. lb than the ſame joint of a good ſat ſheep is at 5d. on account of the greater proportion of hone to eatable meat, in the former, to what it is in the latter.

The bread, geneally uſed in this county, is made of bar⯑ley, or a mixture of bar⯑ley and rye; oatmeal is made into [219]haſty-puddings, and eat with butter, treacle, milk, or beer, for breakfaſt, and often for ſupper.

Potatoes, for ſeveral years, have been in general uſe, as a principal article of food; few families dine without them; and we believe many a dinner and ſupper are made of potatoes, with a little butter, or cream, for ſauce; and in many caſes, only milk, or, where this cannot be had, a little ſalt.

SECT. 3.—Fuel.

Coals are cheap and plentiful in moſt parts of the coun⯑ty; in ſeveral places from 15s. to 30s. will procure a year's fuel, for a ſmall family.

Peat and turf alſo abound, and are uſed inſtead of coals in ſome diſtricts.

SECT. 1.—Roads.

THE roads are in general very good, both parochial and turnpikes, except the road from Carliſle to Newcaſtle; ſome parts of which are very bad, and very different to what the ſame road is, immediately on entering Nor⯑thumberland.

The materials are excellent; in general lime-ſtone; but, in almoſt every inſtance, not broken ſmall enough by one half. If theſe hard ſtones were broken ſo ſmall, [220]as to paſs through a ring two inches in diameter, and the roads made wider, and flat, or very nearly ſo, few coun⯑ties in the kingdom would be able to vie with Cumber⯑land for excellent roads.

SECT. 2.—Canals.

There are no canals in this county; in 1795, one was projected from Maryport by Carliſle, to Newcaſtle, but did not take place; owing to a difference of opinion, whether the canal from Newcaſtle, ſhould paſs on the North or South ſide of Tyne.

SECT. 3.—Fairs.

• 20th.—Wigton,—for horſes.

• 5th.—Wigton,—for cattle.
• 24th—Penrith,—for cattle.
• 25th.—Boon Wood,—for cattle.

• Firſt Wedneſday, and every fortnight till Michaelmas. —Cochermouth,—for cattle.
• 1ſt, 2d, and 3d Fridays.—Heſket-New-market,—for cattle.
• 28th.—Aldſton,—for cattle.

• 3th.—Ravenglaſs,—for cattle.
• Tueſday before Whitſuntide.—Abbey-holm,—for cat⯑tle and horſes.
• Whitſun Monday, the Monday fortnight, and Mon⯑day month after.—Rosſ [...]y-hill.—A very great fair for cattle and horſes: and cattle are ſhewn here every fortnight after, till Michaelmas.
• [221]Whitſun-Tueſday: and every fortnight after.—Pen⯑rith,—for cattle.
• Second Wedneſday after Whitſuntide.—Brampton, —for cattle, horſes, and ſheep.

• 4th.—Ravenglaſs,—for cattle.
• 26th.—Carliſle,—for cattle and horſes.

• 2d. Wedneſday.—Brampton,—for cattle, horſes, and ſheep.
• 18th.—Egrement,—for cattle.
• 19th.—Carliſle,—for cattle and horſes.
• 26th, 27th.—Penrith,—for cattle.

• 10th.—Cockermouth,—for cattle and horſes.
• 1ſt, 2d, 3d Saturdays, after Old Michaelmas—Car⯑liſle,—for cattle and horſes: theſe are called Emptons, probably from the cattle being bought to drive to the great fair of Hempton Green, in Norfolk, held the 22d of November.
• 29th.—Abbey-holm,—for cattle and horſes.

• 21ſt.—Wigton,—for cattle and Chriſtmas cheer, from whence it is commonly called "Wallet-fair."

SECT. 4.—Markets.

Monday.—Cockermouth,—for corn, butchers' meat, &c.

Tueſday.—Penrith.—A large market for corn, and all kinds of proviſions.

• Wigton,—for corn, butchers' meat, &c.
• Brampton.—A ſmall market for corn and o⯑ther proviſions.

[222]Wedneſday.—Workington.—A large market for all kinds of proviſions.

Thurſday.—Whitehaven,—for corn and proviſions: a large market.

Longtown,—butchers' meat and butter; no corn.

Kirkoſwald.—A ſmall market for butchers' meat, &c.

Friday.—Maryport,—for proviſions all kinds.

Heſket-New-market.—A ſmall market for corn, butcher's meat, &c.

Ravenglaſs.—A ſmall market for provi⯑ſions.

Saturday.—Carliſle.—A very large market for corn, cattle, ſwine, butchers' meat, and proviſions of all kinds.

Keſwick.—A ſmall market for butchers' meat, butter, &c.; and a few oats and barley.

Egremont,—for corn, and other pro⯑viſions.

SECT. 5.—Commerce.

The Commerce of this county conſiſts, principally, in the exportation of coals from Whitehaven, Workington, and Maryport, to Ireland, &c. The number of veſſels employed in this trade amounts to upwards of 300, from 60 to 120 tons burden. This lucrative trade has ariſen to its preſent importance, within the laſt hundred years; it originated at Whitehaven, from the exertions of Lord Lonſdale's anceſtors, to whom the coal in that neigh⯑bourhood principally belongs.

Mr Curwen is the principal coal-owner at Workington, and Mr Senhouſe at Maryport. At all thoſe places, coal cannot be wrought faſt enough to ſupply the demand; veſſels have frequently to wait ſix or eight weeks before [223]they can get a loading; a certain ſign of an increaſing trade.

"We have not been able to aſcertain at what period navigation was advanced in Cumberland. A ſurvey was taken by commiſſion from the crown, in the year 1566, of the trade and ſhipping of this county, (inter alia;) Whitehaven was then ſo far from promiſing it would ever arrive at its preſent wealthy and flouriſhing ſtate, that it conſiſted only of ſix cottages, ſcattered on the beach, and hidden in the creek from the eye of an enemy, and to this dejected port one ſmall bark only belonged, of nine or ten tons burthen. Nay, it is not more incredible than true, that there was at that time only one veſſel ap⯑pertaining to the whole county, that was of ten tons bur⯑then. The whole exports of this extenſive county, were nothing but a ſmall quantity of herrings and cod fiſh; and the inhabitants knew ſo little of the luxuries and enjoy⯑ments of life, that the whole of this great coaſt receiv⯑ed no other imports than a little ſalt.

About the year 1582, the Earl of Lincoln being Lord High Admiral, cauſed an account to be taken of the ſhips and mariners within this county; when all the veſſels a⯑mounted only to twelve, and not one carried eighty tons. The number of mariners and fiſhermen were 198, of whom many had never navigated a veſſel ſuperior to an open boat.

In 1607, Workington was the chief haven, and the place from whence certain criminals, ſentenced to baniſh⯑ment, were exported to Ireland.^*"

Maryport, in the year 1752, conſiſted of only one farm-houſe; in that year another houſe was built. It is now a neat, well built, middle-ſized market-town, with a ſmall and good harbour, incloſed by two piers; and in [224]1793, contained 3445 inhabitants, which increaſe about 100 yearly. The ground upon which the town is built, belonged to Humphry Senhouſe, Eſq. To encourage ſet⯑tlers, he ſold off houſe and yard ſteads, reſerving a ground rent. The land around it lets for 2 or 3l. an acre, which would not have been worth more than 1l. had things re⯑mained as they were in 1752.

The quantity of coals exported from theſe ports, taken on an average of 11 years, (from 1781 to 1792) is as fol⯑lows:

The receipt of cuſtoms at Whitehaven, from 17th June 1794, to 5th January 1795, (29 weeks) was 19832l. 17s. 8d.

The duty on coals exported from theſe ports, is 1s. 2d. per chaldron to Ireland, and 5s. to foreign ports.

Butter, bacon, and hams of an excellent quality, form a part of the commerce of this county. The article of butter, is ſaid to amount to 30000l. per ann: the whole chiefly for the London market; to which place, alſo, con⯑ſiderable quantities of freſh ſalmon are ſent from Carliſle.

SECT. 6.—Manufactures.

The Manufactures are not extenſive: printing cottons at Carliſle, and a check manufacture (on a ſmall ſcale) in moſt of the market towns, with four or five cotton mills, erected of late years near Carliſle, Dalſton, and Corby, with a ſmall factory of corduroys at the latter place, is all this county has to boaſt of.

[225]Whether the coal trade and manufactures have occa⯑ſioned any improvements in the agriculture of the county, is doubtful; but they certainly have encouraged it, by making a very increaſed demand for its produce.

The lead mines on Aldſton-moor affect the agriculture of this county very little, being more intimately connected with Northumberland.

SECT. 7.—Poor.

In moſt of the country pariſhes, the poor-rates are low, from 6d. to 9d. per pound; which, we believe, is partly owing to a ſort of pride exiſting amongſt the lower claſſes, of not applying for parochial relief, till they can⯑not poſſibly ſubſiſt without it; and alſo to the number of Friendly Societies, which have been eſtabliſhed, and we hope are ſtill increaſing. Such uſeful inſtitutions are de⯑ſerving of encouragement, by every perſon whoſe proper⯑ty is chargeable with poor-rate.

SECT. 8.—Population.

In Meſſrs Nicholſon and Burn's Hiſtory of Cumber⯑land, publiſhed in 1777, the number of houſes are eſti⯑mated at 20,000, and the inhabitants at 100,000: by Houſeman's notes, in Hutchinſon's Hiſtory of Cumber⯑land, now publiſhing, they amount to 97,200.