v-i^ 'M N TME CUSTODY OE THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. SHELF N° ADAMS 0^ \ GENERAL VIEW OF THE AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET; WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE MEANS OF ITS IMPROVEMENT BY JOHN BILLINGSLEY, Esq, ASH1VICK GROVE. DRAWN UP FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUR. AND INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT. LONDON: PRINTED BY W. SMITH. M.DCCXCIV. *-AMM*nM Cntereb at stationers flail. • TO THE READER. IT is requested, that this Paper, may be returned to the Board of Agriculture, at its Office in London, with any addi- tional remarks and observations, which may occur on the perusal, written on the margin, as soon as may be convenient. It is hardly necessary to add, that the Board does not consider itself responsible for any fact or observation contained in this Report, which, at present, is printed and circulated, for the purpose merely of procuring farther information, respecting the Husbandry of this district, and of enabling every one, to contribute his mite, to the improvement of the country. The Board has adopted the same plan, in regard to all the other Counties in the united Kingdom; and will be happy to give every assistance in its power, to any person, who may be desirous of improving his breed of Cattle, Sheep, &c. or of trying any useful experiment in husbandry. London, November, 1794. [ 7 ] INTRODUCTION. 1 N mildness of climate, fertility of soil, and general produce, the County of Somerset stands eminently high in reputation. The richness of its pastures furnifhes not only a sufficiency for its own consumption, but also a considerable surplus for other mar- kets.— London, Bristol, Salisbury, and other parts of the kingdom are annually supplied with fat Oxen, Sheep, and Hogs, together with Chcefc, Butter, and many other articles in great quantities. — Nor are its internal riches of less importance — From its bowels are dug Lead, Copper, Iron, Lapis Calaminaris, Coal, Fullers Earth, Marl, Lime Stones,. Paving, Freestone Tiling Stone, &c. &c. in great abun- dance.— In short, it may justly be denominated a highly produtl'vve county. Its dimensions are about 80 miles by 36, and its circumference about 200 miles. In such an extent of ground, it may naturally be supposed, that the soil and climate are various. Near the sea coast winter is scarcely felt ; and from Minehead and Dulverton on the west, to Milborne Port and Wincaunton on the east, the climate (Quantock Hill excepted) is temperate, and the soil, for the most part, rich and fertile. As you approach the northern district and ascend Poulden Hill, the climate changes, and becomes more cold and boisterous ; and when you proceed farther northward, and gain the summit of Mendip Hills, you feel yourself comparatively in Lap- land. The perpendicular altitude of Mendip Hills, compared with the town of Taunton, I conceive to be at least three hundred yards. For the sake of perspicuity, I shall divide the county into three diftric~ts. The first comprehending that tract included between the ports of Uphill and King Road on the west, and the towns of Bath and Froome on the east. This I shall call the North East District. The next division I shall call the Middle Division : and is that portion of land which is bounded, by the Mendip Hills on the B 2 north, [ 8 ] north, Bridgwater Bay on the west, and the town of Chard on the south. The South West Division will occupy the remainder. NORTH EAST DISTRICT. THE surface of this district being very irregular, and intermixed with lofty hills, and rich fertile plains, the climate is consequently exceedingly varied. On the western side, including the hundreds of Winterstoke and Portbioy, the soil is, for the most part, a deep, and rich mixture of clay and sand ; being originally a deposit by the sea, which, in ancient times, flowed up a considerable way into that part of the county. These Moorlands, as they are called, are at the present time subject to frequent inundation ; and sometimes, in rainy seasons, are covered with water for four or five successive months. The luxuriant herbage produced by these lands, when cleared from stagnant water, is such as to induce, in the mind of a man fond of national improvement, an ardent wish to see them completely drained. This I think might be effected in the following way. Let a sluice or dam be built at the outlet of the river Yeo or Yow, the apron of which should be placed near low water mark. It is not necessary to describe these sluices or outlets, as they are common to most counties bordering on the sea. Suffice it to say, that these buildings are furnished with folding doors, which shut at the influx of the tide, and open on its retreat. From a sluice thus erected, let the bed of the river be lowered to an inclined plane of one foot in a mile. This is sufficient to produce a current, and it will prevent any great deposit of sediment. Let the bottom be contracted in its breadth, so that the water in time of floods may run with sufficient rapidity to cleanse it of mud. In regard to the dimensions and ex- pence of such a main drain, the reader shall be informed when we come to treat of Sedgmoor. In the parishes of Congresbury, Yatton, Banwell, Winscombe, Churchill, and Puxton, there are not less than three thousand acres subject to frequent inundation. All these lands discharge the greatest part of their waters into the river Yeo, and are under the inspection [ 9 ] inspection of the Commissioners of Water Sewers; but the powers, vested in these commissioners by parliament, are not sufficient to enable them to divert the course of the river, or to effect a radical cure. The tide flows nearly seven miles up the river Yeo : and at six miles from the mouth 01 the river, the spring tides flow five feet above the level of the adjacent lands. This would be effectually prevented by the dam before men- tioned ; and by cutting proper lateral drains, the whole district might be advanced in value 10s. or 15s. per acre: and all this might be done at an expence which two years profit would reim- burse. Nothing is neceffary but effectual draining to make it as good land as any in the county. It requires no dung or any extra- neous manure ; but may be kept in good heart by the contents of the ditches. To the northward of this district lie the parishes of Kenn, King- ston, Seymour, Cleveden, Nailsea, Chelvey, and Claverham, pos- sessing near four thousand acres, alike subject to inundation. These parishes are secured from the sea by a wall, built with stone and lime, and elevated ten feet above the level of the land within. High tides sometimes overflow this wall, and when a strong westerly wind prevails at the equinoxes the wall is frequently broken down by the impetuosity of the waves, and large portions of the land are covered. Should this happen at the autumnal equinox, little injury is done. But if in the vernal, it kills the best grass, and the crop of the ensuing summer is worth but little. These lands discharge their waters by two rivers called the little Yeo's. At the mouth of these rivers are sluices, such as before described, which prevent inunda- tion from the sea : but being not made deep enough at their outlet, and the rivers, by which the waters are conveyed, not being pro- perly bottomed, the country is subject to frequent land floods* This level is susceptible of the same improvement, by a complete drainage, as the former. Proceeding northward from hence you ascend Leigh Down, This is a tract of elevated land, extending from Cleveden to the Hot Wells, near Bristol. It is principally fed with sheep, and consists of about three thousand acres. A large portion of this 2 Down [ 10 ] Down will not admit of cultivation; the Limestone Rock being within two or three inches of the surface. It is probable that this land will pay more as pasture than any other way. But the chief inconvenience arises from the unlimited right of stocking ; by which it is burthened with double the number it ought to have, the breed of neat cattle is greatly injured, and, in respect to sheep, the quantity of wool lessened, though it must be admitted that the quality of such wool is improved in respect to fineness. To illus- trate this observation respecting over-stocking, I shall state a case in point. A farmer of this district some years since put twenty- five head of steers and heifers into a piece of commonable land. The spring being unfavourable to the purchase of cattle, and a considerable fatality having prevailed the preceding winter, the common was ?noderately stocked ; in consequence of which a profit of 2I. per head was made between the months of April and November. Encouraged by this success, and flattering himself with the prospect of similar profit, he purchased the next year 100 head: but others following his example, he, to his great mortifi- cation, found that, instead of profit, he suffered a loss of nearly one hundred pounds. From these premises may it not be fairly inferred, that the in- closing and dividing of commons, even in cases where the plough cannot prudently be introduced, is beneficial both to the individual and the public ; as the owner can then apportion his stock to the quantity and quality of his land, and can have them at all times under his eye. But of this subject more by and by. At Clapton, a village lying to the. north west of Leigh Down, there is a coal work which possesses the advantage of a land-level of forty-four fathoms. At this pit are landed about 240 bushels dai4y. The best coal is sold at threepence-halfpenny per bushel, and the small is shipped at Portishead point for Wales, where it is used for burning lime. South east of Leigh Down is a vale of rich grass land, extend- ing from Bedminster at the north east, to Brockley and Nailsea at the south west. Under this level are supposed to be inexhaustible veins of coal. At present they land 2roo bushels a day. The best coal is sold at .threepence-halfpenny, the middle sort at threepence, and the small at 0 »■ ] at twopence, per bushel. One of the works is under contract to serve the glass-houses, some time since erected in the parish of Nailsea, at one penny farthing per bushel. These glass-houses consume about 2000 bushels weekly. The deepest work is 42 fathom. The principal vein is five feet thick ; sometimes more. The coal takes a south pitch or inclination never exceeding two feet in a fathom. Little timber is used ; but they are much incommoded with water ; for the rock which lies above the coal so abounds with fissures, that there is no method of preventing the land water from pervading the bottom of the works. When the top veins are exhausted and the proprietors are corn- compelled to go deeper, it is a matter of doubt whether any power of a steam engine may be competent to the task of keeping them dry. A scheme is on foot to make a canal from the city of Bristol through this vale to Loxtone, near Axbridge ; and from thence to the town of Taunton : but whether it will be carried into execu- tion, or abandoned, time only can tell. The lands in this vale are very fruitful ; and a considerable part thereof are the property of two gentlemen of fortune and respecta- bility. These gentlemen, from the the bell of motives, have been long in the habit of letting their estates at the old rents, though the price of the articles of produce has in the course of thirty years advanced one third at least. How far such acts of kindness may be considered as just to a man's family, or conducive to the public weal, I much doubt, , from the experience which I have had in the agricultural world, I have invariably found lands so occupied, in a much worse estate, - than those of neighbouring farmers, moderately advanced. An equitable partition of the advantages, resulting from an increase of trade and population, cannot by any reasonable tenant . be objected to. The one system produces care and exertion — the other indolence and sloth. Let us now return to the south-west, and survey the parishes of Churchill, Hutton, Banwell, Locking, West-Super-Mare, and Uphill, See. Sec, Sec, These ,• [ w I These lands are for the most part occupied by dairy or grazing farmers ; and are subject to frequent overflowings of the river which runs through a dam or sluice at Uphill. It is presumed that if the bed of the river at Uphill, and the sluice through which the water is discharged, were deepened three feet, the evil would in a great degree be removed. Mr. Good, who occupies a large farm in Hutton, has a method of making cyder, which it may not be amiss to describe. The apples are ground by a horse-mill. The pummice is then wrung in hair-bags ; after which it is put into a tub and chopt. It is then ground over again, and made into a cheese, which stands in the press all night. In the morning the press is strained as tight as it will bear by a lever or cap staff: by these means the cheese is made so dry, that it is cut into narrow strips, tied up in faggots, and burnt. He can make one hogshead upon eight more than by the common method. Two men make and tun five hogsheads in a day, and the horse will grind the apples in three hours. Query. Is not the quality of the cyder injured by such close expression ? As we are now about to quit what is called the North Marsh, I shall advert to the queries proposed by the board. The soil of this district 1 have atready described. As to the climate it is rendered so mild and temperate, by the vicinity of the sea, that neither frost or snow are of long duration ; and, unless chilled by too much moisture, it may boast a perpetual verdure. Part is possessed by large proprietors and leased out on lives, part is in demesne and let out for short terms, and no small quantity is the fee of the occupiers, constituting a most respectable yeomanry, whose sway is strongly felt at a contested election. The farms are not large, seldom exceeding two hundred pounds a year, and accompanied with a very small proportion of arable. The artificial grasses are broad clover, marie grass, (Trifolium Alpestre) white Dutch and ray gralTes. The stock, partly cows for the dairy, and partly oxen for fatting — both good of their kind. As [ *3 J As corn is but little attended to, it is scarcely worth while to take any notice of their course of cropping, or of any thing that relates to tillage. There are many woods in this district, the largest is Kingswood, which covers about 230 acres. Fences very much neglected, and over many of the woods the cattle freely range. The timber is chiefly oak, but does not get to any large size ; the woods being, for the most part, situate at the declivity of the hills, where there is but little depth of earth. The underwood is cut for wreaths or faggots. The valleys are in general richly laden with elm which grows spontaneously in the hedge-rows, and gets to a good size. The method practised here of lopping off the side branches, to what is called a besom head, cannot be too much execrated. It is destructive to the growth of timber, and by lessening the agitation produced by winds deprives it of what may be deemed its salutary exercise. The effect of cutting off the lower branches is a premature decay which first takes place in the top of the tree, a general check is given to the circulation of the sap, and it reduces the tree nearly to the state of a pollard. Neither the roads nor farm houses can be boasted of. No manufactures. The poor principally employed in husbandry, fishing, &c. The principal improvement that can be suggested is that of draining their /ot lands, and folding sheep on the high land. The next portion of the northern district of which I shall treat, is bounded on the west by Bristol and Wrington, and terminates at the eastern boundary nf rhe. county; and on the south by the Mendip Hills, (inclusive.) The soil of this district frequently changes, but the climate can vary but little ; and the uniformity of atmospherical influence is preserved considerably by the land rising rather gradually north- ward and southward, and the western breezes blowing on the vale greatest part of the year. On the whole the region is fa- vourable to vegetation and agriculture in general; under great part is good marie at no great depth : many great proprietors from 2 to 6000 pounds per annum, but still the greatest part is possessed by the middle class, holding from 50 to 500 pounds per annum. It is also principally occupied by middling farmers, £cw renting C more [ H ] ' more than two hundred pounds a year, and is in mixed hus- bandry. The artificial grasses are sainfoine, ray, broad clover, marl grass, white Dutch and hop clover, or trefoil. The stock — cows, oxen, horses, sheep, pigs. As the cows are all devoted to the dairy,' preference is given to that sort which gives the most milk and of the best quality ; or, in the farmer's language, to that stock which makes the most goods, whether it be butter, or cheese, or both : hence it follows, that in point of car- case they are very deficient. They are mostly of the short horned' breed ; and though the fine long horned cows of north Wiltshire have been tried, and strongly recommended by some, yet the ge- neral run of dairy men are strongly attached to their own breed. As this is a subject of some magnitude, let us bestow on it a kw moments attention. In the choice of stock, the buyer should principally attend to the purposes for which that stock is designed, and to the nature and quality of his land. If his principal object be rearing, either with a view to fat him- self or to sell to others, the form, or shape of the parent stock should first be regarded. That frame of body which is accompanied with the greatest por* tion of valuable flesh, and the least ofFal, is to be preferred. An aptitude to fat in youth is also an object of great importance, By an attention to these points, the great farmers of Leicestershire and other counties, have so attracted the notice of emulous breeders, as to sell their stock at a price, scarcely credible to a plain old fashioned farmer. But however we may admire their care and ingenuity, does it follow that we are to be led astray by the extravagant ideas which some people entertain of their superio- rity. A heifer of three or four years old, which discovers a dispo- sition to fat, seldom proves a good milker, and is by our farmers turned out of the dairy. Beside, I have been informed that the great breeders are frequently obliged to have the assistance of Welsh nurses for their calves, through a deficiency of milk in the parent animal. Is this a recommendation of them to the dairy- man ? As a confirmation of the idea that handsome stock are sel- dom good milkers, I shall advert to the North Devon breed, and I believe f 15 ] I believe in all other respects, there is not a more valuable in the kingdom. In that part of the kingdom little attention is paid to cheese or butter, but if a cow produces handsome stock it is all that is re- quired of he* ; and it frequently happens that a farmer, with ten or twelve cows, has but little more of those articles than is suffi- cient to supply his family. The Somersetshire dairy-men generally keep their good cows till they are ten or twelve years old ; at which time their value is re- duced to four or five pounds each. A long horned cow at that age might be worth eight or ten pounds ; (I mean of the middling breed) here is then an apparent deficiency of four or five pounds; but when we reflect that the keeping of one is worth ten shillings a year more than the other, the loss is not fo apparent; and if we admit that the short horned will make half a hundred of cheese more per year than the long horned, the ballance of profit is then in favour of the former. I do not mean by what I have said to detract from the merit of Mr. Bakewel, or other great breeders of the north.- I only wish to recommend a discriminating principle, and to deter the credulous farmer from too hasty a dereliction of principles and practices, founded in experience, and to which he has been long accustomed. I may be here told that the foregoing premises, from which con- clusions are drawn unfavourable to the long horned cow, are delu- sive ; that a north country breeder will laugh at the idea of keep- ing a cow till she is ten years old ; that at six years, or at the far- thest at seven, she ought iu be in *Vu» possession of the butcher. But coolly and calmly ; ask a practical cow-keeper at what period of life a cow makes the most goods, and he will tell you between the age of six and twelve years old. I have known cows continue good milkers till they have past their twentieth year. I beg pardon of my readers for this digression, and will now return to my survey. When cheese only is made, the annual produce per cow is from three to four cwt. Many dairies, in the vicinity of Bath and Bristol, make butter sad half skimmed cheese ; in either way the annual produce per C 2 cow [ 16 ] cow is from seven to ten pounds, including the calf and profit of pigs. From three to four acres of land will keep a cow throughout the year. The watering of pastures is not much known, though the advan- tage resulting from that practice in neighbouring counties is not questioned. The intermixture of lands embarrasses the operation of individuals in that respect, and this seems likely to prevent a practice from be- coming more general, which numerous springs and rivulets would otherwise favor. The water issuing from Mendip Hills is unfit for this purposes- carrying with it noxious mineral particles destructive to- vegeta- tion. Grain principally cultivated are wheat, beans, pease, oats1, and a little barley : but for the latter, the soil is for the raoft part un- favorable. In the parishes of WringtOn, Blagdon, Ubly, Compton, Martin, and Hartry, teasels are much cultivated. The head of this plant, which is composed of well turned vegetable hooks, is used in dres- sing of cloth; and the manufacturers of this county and Wilts are for the most part supplied from these parishes. Large quantities are also sent (by water conveyance from Bristol) into Yorkshire. As this is a plant not generally known I will describe its culture. The most favorable soil is a strong rich clay, or what is gene- rally denominated good wheat laml. Sometimes an old ley is broke up, and sometimes a wheat stub- ble, the seed is sown (after the rate of two pecks per acre) in the month of April. During the summer the land is worked over three or four times with long narrow spades to destroy the weeds. In the month of November, if the plants are too thick, they are drawn out to fill up vacancies ; and the plants are set at a foot dis- tance. If after this thinning too many plants remain, another field is prepared, into which they are transplanted; but those plants which are never moved produce the best heads, As [ *7 ] At the next spring and ensuing summer, the land is worked over three or four times with the narrow spades ; by which it is kept thorough clean, and the plants earthed up. In the month of July the uppermost heads begin to blossom, and as soon as the blossom falls, they are ripe. The gathering is per- formed at three different times. A man, with a knife made for the purpose, cuts the heads which are ripe, and ties them up in hand- fuls. After a fortnight, he goes over the ground again, and at a third cutting the business is compleated. On the day of cutting they are carried into a house ; and if the air is clear they are taken out daily and exposed to the sun, till they are compleatly dry ; but great care must be taken that no rain falls on them. The crop is very hazardous. A wet season rots them, particu- larly when there is much rain at the time of blossoming. In the year 1792 there were few worth harvesting. The crop this year is but indifferent. When dry they are separated into three different parts called kings, middlings, and scrubs ; and are after that made into packs, containing of kings 9000 heads, and of middling, 20,000. The scrubs are but of little value. The ave- rage price is forty shillings per pack ; and sometimes the produce is fifteen or sixteen pack an acre, at other times a total blank. There is an amazing inequality in the produce of different plants ; some stocks will send forth 100 heads, others not more than three or four. Should not great attention therefore be paid to the selection of seed, namely by taking it from those plants which appear to be most prolific ? This Uwver ic not done ; but the seed is taken in- discriminately from the whole crop. As the goodness of the crop chiefly depends on the care taken to keep the land free from weeds, leaving the plants at proper dis- tances, and earthing them up well ; and as most of the common workmen will pay more attention to their own, than to another person's interest, it frequently happens that a partnership is formed between master and man. The former finds ground and ploughing) and the latter seed and labour. At harvest the crop is divided, and each party takes a moiety. The expence and produce of teazels may be thus estimated per acre, T« [ >8 ] !To two Year's Rent . To Plowing . . . To Workmen's Labor To making out in bun- "] dies, tying together, and I o 14 teazle bands, 2s. per pack J £. s. J. 300 0 15 from whence the coal is raised, generally receive an eighth of the gross receipt of sale ; but, to encourage the proprietors to greater depths of working, have occasionally complied with a proportion- able reduction of this quota, on account of the increase of expences in working ; whereby they have derived a profit from coal which, otherwise would have been irrecoverably lost. Some through ig- norance and stubbornness have withheld this concession, and thereby incurred the loss.. Average price of coal five-pence per bushel at the pits. The southern district is on a more limited scale of working. The strata of coal form an inclination of the plane from eighteen E z te. t J» 3 to thirty inches in the yard ; in some the plane is annihilated, and they descend in a perpendicular direction. There are in number twenty-five ; in thickness from six inches to seven feet ; seldom worked under eighteen inches ; in depth from thirty to sixty fa- thom at the present working. By the steam engine which is now erecting in this district, a much greater depth will be attained. Profits in the aggregate of working very trifling, if any, owing to the consumption of timber, and the expence of drawing water. The coal of various quality ; some nearly equal to that of the northern district ; but the greatest part less firm, of shorter grain, and less calculated for distant carriage ; but free to burn, wholly divested of sulphureous stench, and durable. The small coal excel- lent for the forge, and when reduced to a cinder, called coke, by a process of very ancient usage, it furnishes a fuel for drying malt, which from its purity and total exemption from smoke cannot be excelled, if equalled. The south western parts of Wiltshire, the northern of Dorset, and the east and southern parts of Somerset, are the markets for consumption. The quantity now raised is from eight hundred to a thousand ton weekly, which, in the course of a few years, might be extended to two thousand ton, if sale could be found. Boys and men employed at present amount from five to six hundred. An improved method of working has been lately adopted in some parts of this district, by which the springs are prevented from inundating the deep working; whereby its extent and duration will be considerably promoted. A canal to the works in this district, which might be cut at an easy expence, has been for some time in contemplation ; and which not only would benefit the proprietors of the works, by extending the consumption ; but also reduce the price to the more distant consumers more than half. The average price of coal in this district is 3fd. per bushel. Should the works in the northern district be stopped, the proba- ble increase of the poor rates would be 2000I. per annum. In the southern (much more burthened with poor) to seven or eight shillings in the pound. It may be said that this district cannot boast of any practices in agriculture which are peculiar to itself; the cultivation of teazles and woad excepted. Its [ 33 ] Its advances in receiving the improvement of more enlightened agriculturists are very slow, notwithstanding it has the advantage of a very respectable agricultural society, which has been esta- blished at Bath for the western counties upwards of sixteen years. From the tardiness before-mentioned it seems difficult to devise any new means to engage a stronger desire of improvement. More frequent marling naturally presents itself as the first object of no- tice, and it is especially desirable that the practice might become strongly urged if any means could be happily found to do it effectually. ttc [ 34 ] The next SYSTEM of Improvement to which T shall direct my attention, is the Li MING SYSTEM, and in this investigation I a?n naturally led to a SURVEY OF MENDIP HILLS. THIS chain of mountainous land extended, according to the ancient boundary, from Cottles Oak, near the town of Froome, to a place called the Black Rock, in the Bristol channel near Uphil, being a distance of more than thirty miles. A great portion of this land having been inclosed, divided and cultivated in the course of the last forty years, and nearly an equal portion still remaining in its open uncultivated state, I cannot forward the views of the respectable Board, under whose auspices this report will be brought forward to the public in a better way than by a minute description of the origin, progress, and success of these undertakings. And first let us begin with taking a view of the objections which have been started to this species of improvement, and see if we cannot prove them to be for the most part either false or frivilous. ist. — Invasion of the rights and interest of the cottagers. 2d. — A supposed injury done to the breeding system. 3d. — -The expences attending the act of parliament with those of commissioners, and other subordinate agents employed in its execution.. 4th. — The expence of buildings, such as farm-houses, barns, stables, stalls and pools, for the purpose of creating dis- tinct farms, superadded to the expences of cultivation, and fencing, altogether constituting an expenditure which the improved value will not reimburse. 5th. — Injury done to the woollen manufacture by lessening the number of sheep, and deteriorating the quality of the wool. 6th. — A supposed diminution of the rent of the old farms, to which such commons are appurtenant. The foremost of these objections carries with it the appearance of a humane attention to the comfort of the poor, but a brief in- vestigation will refute it. There are but two modes of inclosing commons. First. — By unanimous consent of the parties claiming rights, who delegate power [ 35 ] power to commissioners, chosen by themselves, to ascertain their validity, and divide accordingly, under covenants and agreements, properly drawn and executed for the purpose. Or secondly, by act of parliament obtained by the petition of a certain proportion of the commoners, both in number and value, whereby a minority sanctioned only by ignorance, prejudice or selfishness is precluded from defeating the ends of private advantage and public utility. In point of ceconomy, (he first of these methods is the most eligible, as it saves the expenee of an act of parliament, with equal security to the proprietors. But it is seldom practiced, unless in commons, on a small scale, from the difficulty of procuring the consent of every individual claimant without which it cannot be accomplished. In either of these methods it is manifest that the right of the cottager cannot be invaded, since, with respect to legal, or equita- ble construction, he stands precisely on the same ground, with his more opulent neighbours ; and as to his interest, I can truly declare that in all cases which have fallen within my observation, inclosures have meliorated his condition, by exciting a spirit of activity and industry, whereby habits of sloth, have been by degrees overcome, and supineness and inactivity have been exchanged for vigor and exertion. No stronger proof can be given of this than the general reduction of the poor's rate, in all those parishes, wherein such in- closing has taken place. Upland commons are principally depastured in the summer with sheep, and if a cottager were able to stock ever so largely, the winter keeping, and his total inability to furnish them with food between the fifth of April, and the twelfth of May (before which time these commons ought not to be stocked) would be such a drawback, as effectually to exclude every idea of profit. On the moors, cottagers within a moderate distance from the common generally turned out, a cow or two, perhaps a few geese, and I believe the latter are the only profitable stock. Not one in ten rented land to" raise winter subsistence. In summer, the moor commons were frequently inundated. The cattle must be removed, and temporary pasturage hired on extravagant terms. On the other hand, should the season be favourable, the redundancy of stock from an unlimited right of feeding, by reducing the produce of the [ 36 3 the cottager's COW so much below what it ought to be, deprives him of every real advantage. Proprietors or occupiers of large estates in the vicinity of a com- mon, by turning out great quantities of stock by day, and taking them home to feed by night have derived the only benefit which an overfed common could afford. The cattle of the cottager, as well as of the distant commoner un- der this competition, must unavoidably suffer. The latter may be recruited by occasional removal to better pasturage ; the former having none, must hire, or leave them on the common either in a stunted or starved condition. These are facts of general noto- rity, on which it will not be easy to deduce {commuaibus aunts) any material benefit to the cottager from stocking; but when the ex- pence of winter support is added, the question is decided, and the presumed advantage, is converted into a positive loss. For ten or twelve shillings per annum a common might be rented. Nothing gives with greater accuracy the value of a thing, than fair and unrestrained competition, if so, when the privilege of stocking a common for a year, might be obtained for ten or twelve shillings, by a farmer in possession of means to accommodate stocking to every variety of season, what can the value be to a cottager de- prived of these ? instead of ten or twelve shillings, the annual ■neat value of commons inclosed has been raised from 3I. to 20I. per annum, which as an unquestionable fact establishes without scruple, or hesitation, the private as well as public importance of the in- closing system. Most of the stocking cottagers have rights ap- pendant to their cottages, without land, under the denomination of auster tenemants. To these, allotments are made equal in quan- tity, and quality, as to farms of the greatest extent. Here, the cottage claimant, by relinquishing a privilege, injurious rather than lucrative is placed in a better situation than the proprietor of an extensive farm, who surrenders every advantage of stocking which capital, situation, and convenience might give him, for an equality of allotment with the former, who has no sacrifice to make but ignorance and prejudice, and derives from his allotment a clear undiminished profit. Besides, moral effects of an injurious tendency, accrue to the tottager from a reliance on the imaginary benefits of stocking a 2 common. [ 37 ] common. The possession of a cow or two with a hog, and a few geese, naturally exalts the peasant in his own conception, above his brethren in the same rank of society. It inspires some degree of confidence in a property, inadequate to his support. In sauntering after his cattle he acquires a habit of indolence. Quarter, half, and occasionally whole days are imperceptibly lost. Day labour becomes disgusting, the aversion increases by indulgence, and at length the sale of a half-fed calf, or hog, furnishes the means of adding 'intemperance to idleness. The sale of the cow frequently succeeds, and its wretched and disappointed possessor unwilling to resume the daily and regular course of labour from whence he drew his former subsistance, by various modes of artifice and imposition exacts from the poor's rate, that relief to which he is in no deoree intitlcd. 0 This description is by no means exaggerated. The parish of Wedmore, abounding with cottage commons, and one of the largest and most opulent in this county, will illustrate its truth and justice. Within twenty years there have been inclosed upwards of 3000 acres of rich moor land, heretofore when in commons ren- dered unproductive by inundations and their consequences, six or seven months in the year, and when pascible for the remaining months, of little value from being overstocked ; which land is now set with liberal allowance of profit to the occupier from ten to fifty shillings per acre. These inclosure are made by ditches, which by annual cleansing and spreading the contents over the surface afford an excellent manure, with a new and extensive source of labour of the most productive kind, whereby the poor's rate have been gra- dually reduced one third of their former amount, before any in- closure had taken place. The second objeclion to inclosing is the supposed injury done to the breeding system. Few observations will suffice on this head. Commons are in gene- ral overstocked. Young cattle abridged of theirfood become stunted in their growth, and injured in shape and form. To restore them in these respects by better keeping is sometimes impracticable— always expensive. It is more than problematical with many in- telligent farmers in the neighbourhood, whether from the circum- stances, before mentioned, the breeding system on an average of F seasons [ 38 ] seasons and years has yielded any profit. But this is undeniably certain, that the same land when inclosed and improved, will main- tain at least three times the stock breeding, or any ether, than it did in a state of nature. Suppose every acre of waste land in Great Britain by inclosure was improved threefold, what would be the consequence ? a declension of the breeding system? The very con- trary, an extension of it very probably in the same proportion. Without breeding can you graze or make cheese and butter ? Ace not these different modes of occupation most intimately connected with and dependent on each other ? Is not the same land conver- tible to all and every of these purposes subject to the control and re- gulation of the market for each ? Can young stock be kept too well ? Should the breeding of cattle exceed the demand, and from a re- duction of price no longer pay the rent of land, will the farmer repine because his land is susceptible of other methods of application no less beneficial ? Surely not. Could he hesitate what to do when its high state of culture would direct him either to dairy, or gra- zing, as attendant circumstances might require. And should the market be glutted with the produce of dairy and grazing firms, the farmer would naturally recur to breeding stock, or raising corn, so that all these articles would find their natural level, which the de- mand for each, whether inadequate, moderate, or excessive, wouhi invariably regulate, But waste and uncultivated lands being solely appropriated to the breeding of stock, and not convertible to any other purpose^ is without remedy, whenever the market is over- charged with its produce. The same reasoning applies to hilly lands in their improved stare, by substituting corn instead of dairy or grazing. From the fore- going premises I think it may be inferred, that since commons of every description when inclosed and cultivated, are capable of sup- porting at least three times more stock than they did in a state of nature, no serious apprehensions should prevail with respect to the diminution, or injury of the breeding system. I do not mean to deny that some local disadvantages may occur, but these are too trifling and limited to merit attention, and still less to impede the progress of an improvement of the greatest national importance.-— The preceding remarks more particularly apply to the moor, or low lands. In addition thereto I have to observe, with heartfelt satisfaction*; I 39 3 satisfaction, its happy effects on the health and comfort of the in- habitants of the adjacent villages. Agnes, and low fevers from the humidity of the air, impregnated with exhalations from the stag- nant contents of the marshes, prevailed very generally during the vernal and autumnal seasons, and these for the most part were ob- stinate and more frequently subdued by the drought and heat of summer, and frost of winter, than by the most judicious medical treatment. Inclosing and draining have rendered these diseases as scarce in the / seldom recruit its vigor sufficiently to produce even a moderate crop of oats, which, if followed by a second of the same grain, would scarce return the seed. Feed during the two last years of rest, not worth more than nine shillings per acre. No turnips for want of dung : ho fold because the land is too much impoverished to maintain it ; straw carried off, and clover hay only partially consumed on the premises by reason of the exposed situation. In this unproductive state, the land must remain during the last nine years of the term, reduced to the value of eight or tea shillings per acre, and without the least prospect of melioration. Painful and disgusting as this representation must be to every ju- dicious farmer, it is nevertheless strictly conformable to fact ; and many instances might be adduced, to establish its veracity in every point. Such has been, and most probably ever will be, the situa- tion of Mendip inclosures, without buildings, and more judicious course of crops. With buildings, we have to contemplate effects di- rectly opposite, under a similar term of twenty-one years. Lime, in the proportion of twenty quarters per acre will sustain the land with little abatement of its fertility, for the first six or seven years. During this period, Barton manure will be plentifully supplied, and may be devoted to turnips, cabbage, and potatoes, on a consi- derable scale, as it will not be wanted either for corn or clover for several succeeding years ; it may be appropriated to turnips and clover, assisted by the fold, which a feed of clover and ray grass of the second year will sufficiently maintain. Should these re- sources be thought inadequate to support the whole of the land, from the ninth or tenth year, piece after piece in succession might be broken up, and limed afresh, with an effect, very little, if at all inferior to that of its first application ; as dung and the fold are found excellent preparatives for the repetition of this manure. By the alternate use of lime, dung, and the fold, together with the following rotation of crops. ist Year . Oats on the Lay 4th Year , Artificial Grass 2d ... . Winter and Spring Vetches Seeds mowed folded off, and turnips 5th. . . . Ditto Fed 3d ... . Oats and Artificial 6th ... . Ditto Ditto Grass Seeds, which r 47 i which the improved husbandry of the last twenty years has sug- gessed, and which is gradually extending to the mutual interest, and satisfaction of landlord and tenant, it must be evident, that the land under a term of 14 or 21 years, cannot sustain the least injury. By the preceding observations, I trust the propriety and ad- vantage of buildings, erected on a scale of Mendip inclosure of 100 acres, and upwards, are fully established to the conviction of every unbiassed mind. Under this statement, what plan of management should be adopted for smaller inclosures ? Separate occupation, at a distance from the barton and farm yard, by theexpence of carting, so as to preclude the return of produce in dung, must necessarily impoverish. Must inclosures of this description then be abandoned to the fate of a wretched and ruinous husbandry ? By no means. A remedy as a palliative, if not wholly effectual, may be found. In the greater part of Mendip inclosures, either by allotment, or purchase, or both, a sufficient portion of land has been vested in an individual, to induce the necessity of building, with local residence and occupation of the farmer. The smaller inclosures should be let to the tenant or tenants of these farms, for the same term, and sub- ject to the same covenants and restrictions, under which such farms are respectively held, with however a proportionate abatement of rent, byway of an equivalent for the want of buildings. If the lands with the latter, be rented at one pound per acre, the former should at fifteen shillings, or at most at sixteen shillings ; and if either price be obtained, smaller inclosures would be provided for, on a footing without buildings, equally, if not more advantageous than larger, with them. Perhaps it may be objected to this plan, that by such additions, Mendip farms would become too extensive, and unwieldy for general occupation. Under an improved system of management, it is now well known, that the most profitable de- stination of these farms, must be with little variation, to corn and sheep ; and for these purposes, it is no less obvious, that farms can- not be well too large, provided tenants can be found of sufficient ability and capital to occupy. This at first may create some diffi- culty and inconvenience, in letting to farmers in a neighbourhood where the largest farms seldom exceed 200I. per annum. This however can only be temporary ; since the quality of the soil, and the situation are favourable to corn, and sheep, and begin to attract the G 2 notice [ 48 ] notice of farmers, who have been accustomed in other counties to occupy farms of this description on a very large scale. These, by a system of management adapted to the foregoing purposes, founded on experience, and prosecuted with vigor, will soon convince those of the neighbourhood, that Me ndip farms, thus appropriated, of al- most any extent, may be occupied with as much safety and advan- tage as can be reasonably expected or desired. Having stated 300I. as the sum requisite for buildings to accom- modate 100 acres of land, I would observe, that 400I. would ac- commodate 200 acres, 500I. 400 acres, and 6ot>l. 500 acres ; so that this expence decreases by an inverse ratio as the farm is aug- mented : and in like manner that of fencing, as a large farm re- quires less subdivision than a small one. Both these circumstances further tend to justify the predilection for large farms. I shall conclude this head, by adducing an instance to ex- emplify the necessity and importance of raising Mendip inci- sures to separate and distinct farms. About 20 years since near 600 acres of Mendip land were in- closed, the property of a gentleman of large landed estate in the neighbourhood. For situation and quality, it could not be sur- passed by any land of this sort. The contiguity to markets with good roads was another privilege ; the quantity was equal to a re- spectable farm, and 700I. was judged sufficient to provide the ne- cessary buildings, in the opinion of those who recommended the measure. A gentleman farmer from Norfolk, of considerable pro- perty, was so much struck with the soil, situation, and other cir- cumstances, as to declare, that as a farm he would give 15s. an acre for a term of 21 years; this was refused, nor have any buildingi been erected since. The land was let to the proprietors tenants of the adjacent farms in different proportions, at not more than 1 2s. per acre for the first 9 or 10 years, but since, for not more than 10s. Great expectations were formed on the improvement of the old farms, by the produce of die new inclosure being entirely consumed thereon. These however are not realized, for the straw was for the most part sold to the adjacent towns, and during the first 7 years of tillage, it was no unusual practice to crop with cats 3 and 4 years successively ; yet such was the fertility of soil, and its aptitude for this species of grain, that the produce in favourable seasons r 49 j seasons with a single plowing, has been occasionally 6 qrs. per acre. The consequences of chis wretched husbandry, with regard to the soil, are too apparent tovparticularize, and too absurd and ruinous to need any further comment. I shall only subjoin, had a distinct farm been made in this case, 7 per cent, would have been paid for the buildings, exclusively of an increase of rent of upwards of 100/. per annum, and the land under a proper lease, instead of its present reduced rent of 10s. or 12s. per acre, would have attained a perma- nent value of a guinea per acre. The 5th objection involves two distinct relations : 1st. Deterioration of the quality of wool. 2d. Dimunition of its produce by lessening the number of sheep, With respect to the first, by way of preliminary, it may be ne- cessary to enquire, to what degree has this deterioration of quality manifested itself by a reduction of price on wool from sheep of the same species, fed on improved and cultivated lands, or on common and waste lands ? Was this point, so essential to the present discussion, ever ascertained by fair and accurate experiment ? If not, the ob- jection is wholly hypothetical. If it have, the result ought not only to be known, but established as data to argue from. Nothing of this kind however, has fallen within my observation ; I must therefore proceed assumptively, and grant, for the sake of investi- gation, a deterioration of quality as far as six-pence in the pound by depasturing sheep, which afford the finest English v/ool on cultivated land, instead of waste or barren. If the concession as to price be sufficiently liberal, let us enquire how far the public, or indivi- duals, are obnoxious to injury therefrom. The clothier may mix somewhat less of- this sort of wool with Spanish, the better to dis- guise the alteration in quality ; or if used by itself, some very trif- ling difference in the texture or feel of the cloth might be the con- sequence. But if the alteration be universal, in neither point of view, could any particular clothier, nor the trade collectively, be affected by it ; and it is at least probable, the public at large would not be endued with sufficient knowledge of the manufacture to de- tect it, 01 if they did, would regard it as too frivolous to merit notice. Allow for a moment, the finest English wool to be worth 2s. per pound, from sheep fed on commons or waste land;, and is, 6d. if fed on cultivated land. In the former case the ma- nufaclurer I 5° ] mifecturer of cloth would be a gainer, by Tiaving 4Tb. of wool for the same money as 31b. and he eould not complain of a propor- tional reduction of price ; a benefit might therefore, but no possible injury could accrue, to this party in the business. Let us now ad- vert to the farmer, who not only represents himself, but the nation at large as being deeply interested in the increased produce of land, not only in this, but in every possible variety of its application. Enquire of the farmer, and he will tell you, that on an acre of cul- tivated land, by the aid of turnips and grasses, he can keep four sheep instead of one on waste, or land in common, and this too with an undoubted augmentation both of fleece and carcase. He has therefore four fleeces and four carcases instead of one, with a manifest improvement in the value of each. Must he then, from a mere phantom of a grievance which bewilders the imagination of the manufacturer, relinquish advantages of decided and unspeak- able importance both to himself and the public ? Surely not. The foregoing remarks apply principally to the small breed of sheep producing the finest English wool ; but this sort is apparently on the decline in favor of the improved breeds of Dorsetshire, South down, and other larger sorts, as being more productive in wool, (quality and quantity considered) in size of carcase, and in requi- ring a less given time to graze. Let it be admitted from these con- siderations, that in course of time the former breed should become extinct. What then ? Should a real degeneracy of the quality of wool, magnified by the fears of the manufacture, be permitted to militate against the solid benefit enumerated as above ? The quality of cloth as to fineness is comparative. Distinction would vanish, pride and vanity would cease to murmur, if the wool destined to the manufacture of cloth were of the same quality, however coarse. The more opulent classes of society might still be gratified with cloth made entirely of Spanish wool ; the middle with a mixture of Spa- nish and English, and the lower with that wholly manufactured of English wool. But all this being uniform in its operation and effect, and being evidently calculated to advance national prospe- rity, as well as individual advantage, could create no symptoms of mortification or disgust. Let us contemplate the subject under the ptill more interesting claims of humanity. Can the little farmer &nd the artificer, the labouring manufacturer, and the husbandman, be [ 5* 1 be fed with the fleece ? Suppose this valuable species of animal food were confined to the small breed, would there not be a diminution of its quantity so considerable, as might probably advance the price of mutton from 4d. to 6d. per lb. ? Let it be remembered too, that in proportion to the increased value of the fleece the farmer will be enabled to reduce the price of the carcase ; for his profit is derived from the whole animal, not as separated into parts. There- fore the more valuable the fleece the cheaper he can afford to sell the carcase. The next article under this objection is the diminution of the produce of wool by lessening the number of sheep. This takes for granted what still remains to be proved, namely, that the inclosing of commons, fed principally by sheep, has a tendency to lessen the breed. I shall consider this objection as applicable to sheep in general, and not to any particular description or species. Here 1 have not only my doubts as to the truth of The position, but I am inclined to think, that the number of sheep will be increased thereby, and this too, in a very considerable degree. For perhaps four years after inclosing, an exception may be pleaded, since this portion of time must be allotted to a course of tillage necessarily previous to the cultivation of sheep feed. This circumstance as being altogether temporary, should not in the least operate as a deduction from the validity of the opinion. From this period, when turnips and artificial grasses are brought forward, I would date my calculation. Recurring to a former observation, that Mendip or upland in- cisures were most profitably applied as corn and sheep farms, I will suppose one of this sort to consist of 400 acres. In its cul- tivated state 100 acres may be allowed to sustain as many sheep as the whole did when in common, and a less proportion of land than this will scarcely be allowed for sheep feed. If this be admitted let me ask, what becomes of the futile apprehension of lessening the number of sheep. Let the manufacturer no longer repine, nor the timid senator be the victim of groundless distrust : the farmer will have the same quantity of wool provided from a fourth portion of land as was before devoted to the purpose, and the latter will have the consolation to reflect that the other three fourths are raised from t 5» I " -from a static totally unproductive to a capacity of supplying its owner with corn, and pasturage for cattle. I have some reason to believe that unfavourable impressions have been made on the minds of both houses of parliament against a general inclosing system, and these may have arisen from the magical influence of anexpression long sanctified by the public mind, namely that of the woollen manufacture being the staple trade of the nation, to which even the land, in all its diversity of produce must ever be subordinate under every kind of parliamentary regu- lation. A little consideration will serve to detect the fallacy of this opinion. But to recur. In this farm of 400 acres, suppose i,50^hould be appropriated to sheep. On the same ground of reasoning this would increase the number by the addition of a moiety. Perhaps this proportion of sheep food, is much nearer to the standard of practice than the former ; if so, in any ratio, the manufacturer instead of being abridged of his supply of wool, by inclosing, will have con- siderably more, and probably too at a reduced price. Such are the facts relative to wool, the conclusions are simple and obvious. The suspicious and clamorous manufacturer actuated by a spirit of monopoly which the legislature has ever been too much disposed to countenance, may rest satisfied that he can receive no injury, but may great benefit from the inclosing system. For arguments sake give me leave to reverse every thing that has been urged relative to the present subject, and allow, contrary to the most ample conviction, that the clothier would be exposed to some loss by a general adoption of the inclosing system. This induces a comparison between the clothier and farmer under their respective formation of collective bodies in the great mass of blended society. Let us appreciate by the rule of impartial discrimination the value of each thus united in number, in the amount of capital employed, in the quantum of labour furnished, and in the supply of means for levying the national revenue. First in number. Here accuracy cannot be expected, nor is it necessary, it will be sufficient to observe that the clothing manu- facture in coarse and fine articles is principally, if not wholly con- fined to the countries of York, Glocester, Wilts, Somerfet and .Devon, By residing near a considerable clothing town, from which % I derive [ 53 3 1 derive my data of calculation on this and the subsequent dfvi i of the subject, and so far as conjecture may assist I should state the number in all those places not to exceed 2000. In Yorkshire I am obliged to coniider the merchant as the clothier, although in fact the weaver or piece maker is, who sells his goods by the piece, to the former at a common hall. The latter are so numerous, as to defy computation, at least with repect to myself, living at a distance of 250 miles, but this will make no difference in the conclusions to be drawn, since the capital vests in the merchant, on whom devolves the office of finishing the goods from the rough state in which they are purchased from the piece maker. With respect to the number of sheep and corn farmers in Great Britain, it will be impossible to state with any kind of certainty without much trouble and expence. There seems to be no better general clue to the discovery than tracing the landed rental (houses excluded) of the whole kingdom through its various modes of occupation, and then allot the proportionate sums to make up the amount. Let this rental of England be estimated at 18,000,000!. per annum, bestow 6,ooo,oool. of this sum on grazing, dairy and breeding cattle farms, the remaining 8,oco,oool. on farms for the production of corn, out of which deduct 1 2,000, oool. for such as raise this commodity without the aid of sheep, and there will re- main as appropriated to the corn and sheep farms 9,000,000!. per annum. In England sheep and corn farms are for the most part large; let us strike the average rent of each at 200I. per annum, which to make up the rental of 9,000,0001. will furnish 45,000 corn and sheep farms, exceeding in the proportion of 20 to 1 the number of clothiers. The next subject of examination is the capital emplcyed, I will allow the clothier who makes all superfines 600I. to each scrib- ler ; a mixed trade from 12s. to superfines 450I. from 8s. to 12s. 300I. and from 4s. to 8s. 150I. these sums averaged will give 37 5I. to each scribler. I must here disclaim the most distant pretensions to accuracy ; but from the foregoing premisses, derived from some general knowledge of the manufacture, I have reason to believe that the capital employed in the clothing manufactory H docs r 54 ] does not exceed 14,000,0001. which divided among 2000 manufac* turers allots to each 7,0001. I shall state on a very moderate estimate that 600I. will be re- quired to stock a corn and sheep farm of 200I. per annum, this under the calculation of 45,000 occupants will produce a capital of 27,000,0001. exceeding that employed in the clothing manufactory in the proportion of nearly 2 to 1 . We now proceed to ascertain the quantum of labour furnished by each, hoping that due allowance will be made for the unavoidable intrusion of error and imperfection, which calculation on general principles must be subject to. In Yorkshire, where almost every branch of the manufacture is executed by machinery, manual la- bour is in a great measure annihilated] or it is no further employed then to regulate the action and application of the former. The progress of machinery in the west is rapid ; its adoption there in a short time must become universal on a principle of self- defence; without it, the trade must migrate from that district to the* north. An estimate of the number of persons at present employed in the manufacture, including as a basis the almost complete esta- blishment of machinery in the north, with its progreffive advance in the west, I think cannot exceed 100 to each clothier with a capital of 7,0001. comprehending men, women and children, and this will make the aggregate number 200,000. It is a received maxim that a farmer should make three rents ; one for his landlord, one for the wages of labour, provision and liquor to servants, and implements of husbandry ; and the third for profit on his capital. My attention will be limited to that destined for the wages of labour, &c. and after deducting 50I, for implements of husbandry, I shall consider the remaining 150I. as wholly reserved for that express purpose. Allow two weeks of suspension during festivals and holidays in the course of a year, the weekly disbursement will stand at 3I. Men, women and chil- dren at an average of 6s. per week to the number of 10 will make up the weekly amount of 3I. 45,000!. sheep and corn farms will therefore employ 450,000 persons. We are now arrived at -the fourth and last article of discussion, namely, the supply of means for levying the national revenue. With 4 C 55 ] With the exception of dye-stuffs, oil, and foreign soap, all of which are subject only to custom duties, the clothing manufac- ture has never been contributory on this occasion. As forming no inconsiderable part of what is usually denominated the staple trade of the nation, it has hitherto maintained its claim to an exemption from every mode of specific taxation. Not only so, but as a security against an indirect attack in this way, a draw-back of the excise of soap employed therein, is allowed: the policy of this indulgence I do not mean to controvert, since the quantity of soap used being known only to the manufacturer, he might have levied on the consumer in the price of his goods four times its value without risque, or being subject to any other re- straint, than what competition might impose. Thus it appears that the clothing manufacture furnishes but little aid towards levying the national revenue. How very different with the corn and sheep farm. Sheep furnish duties on parchment, leather, and candles. Corn is a most prolific source of revenue. Barley in malt, beer and spirits, wheat in starch, all which are wonderfully productive, and in amount must be acknowledged to be the very pillars of the great and com- plicated system of taxation. Let us now examine how the account stands. Sheep and Com, 45,000 27,000,000 450,000 The principal. Clothing Manufacture, Individals exercising it ... . 2000 Capital employed . . . _£. 14,000,000 Labour to individuals .... 200,000 Means of taxation scarce any It is evident from this statement, which is neither partial nor exaggerated, whether we regard the interest of individuals or that of the empire, under a comparative view, how much the prepon- derance is on the side of the sheep and corn farmer. I mean not to detract from the importance of the clothing manufacturer ; It is confessedly great, and extensive, independently considered. The legislature thinks differently, or else under an almost yearly multi- plication of taxes, how comes it to pass, that it has hitherto escaped the vigilance of finance. The poor man under the pressure of a nu- merous family, with circumscribed means of support, is rendered H 2 tributary [ 56 ] tributary in the articles of shoes, soap, and candles, which he can- not do without ; the rich man in his coat of superfine, is indulged with an exemption. The woollen manufacture comprehends besides the clothing, many other valuable branches of trade, viz. Norwich stuffs, stockings knit and wove, carpeting, camlets, serges, duroys, &c. &c. to all of which I would assign, on the foundation of conjecture only, three fourths of the capital, before allotted to the clothing manufacture, and it will stand at 10,500,0001. In the whole of the woollen manufacture, let the capital be esti- mated at 25,000,0001. Its distribution in the foregoing trades must be much more extensive than in the clothing ; but in what proportion I am not able to to determine ; perhaps it maybe as that of 5 to i. To obviate cavilling or misconstruction, I again disclaim all pre- tensions to accuracy, as having few means of information, either to guide, or regulate my enquiry. I should not only chearfully sub- mit to, but easnestly solicit correction from those who are in pos- session of means more ample, and documents less confined. I will therefore state the number of manufacturers at 10,000, ca- pital to each 1000, making in the whole io,ooo,oool. Number of persons employed by each manufacturer 30, the aggregate body 300,000 ; no greater aid, derived from any of those branches of the woollen manufacture to the revenue, than from the clothing. GENERAL STATEMENT. Sheep and Corn. 45,000 £. 27,000,000 450,000 The principal. Waollen Manufacture in all its Branches. Individuals exercising it ... . 1 2,000 Capital employed ...,£. 25,000,000 Labor to individuals 500,000 Means of taxation scarce any. Permit me here to observe, that I do not mean to derogate from the importance of any of the foregoing branches of the woollen manufacture, separately considered, or in combination. I will ad- mit it on a very extended scale of interest, both private and public ; but comparatively with sheep and corn, in both respects, its supe- riority is not so manifest, if the preceding calculations* approach in any tolerable degree, towards certainty. Justice [ 57 ] Justice and impartiality compel me to remark, that the woolkn manufacture, in almost all its branches, has been for some years past, and is noma rapidly decreasing in its heretofore most fertile source of national benefit ; namely, in furnishing labor adapted to the different periods and stages of life. Machinery must and nuill be universally introduced, otherwise the districts, where it is mi used, must be sacrificed to those where it is. Would the legislature interfere to suspend its operations, or limit its progress ? This would be incompatible with its wisdom and justice. To allow only its partial establishment would be oppressive ; to admit of none, would be ruinous ; because, such machinery, with its appendant branches of manufacture, and a few individuals allotted to each, is not only susceptible of, but it is presumed will shortly be, in a state of migration. In Yorkshire, where it has received a degree of perfection, and an extent of establishment beyond that of any other part of the kingdom, I have been informed from indisputable au- thority, that before the present war, the great demand for the produce of the manufactures, left but fenxi in comparison to resort to agriculture for support. What the present situation, may be in this momentous relation to national profperity, I am not able cir- cumstantially to describe, but general rumor states it as a melan- choly reverse. The sixth objection supposes a diminution of the rental value of estates to which commons are appurtenant. In theory this may appear in some degree specious, because an in- creased produce without an increased consumption, would more or less countenance such an inference. But admitting the premises, it induces the necessity of investi- gating the relative operation of the cause presumed. Let us sup- pose a farm with common appurtenant to be worth 100I. per year, and that by a deprivation of the common, its value be reduced 5I. per year. If the common inclosed be worth 10I. per year, the ob- jection must give way. This statement however bestows a degree of importance on the objection, which it scarce deserves ; for in fact, the inclosing both of the low and uplands, has been uniformly accompanied with an increased produce from both; and it is no less true, that scarce an instance [ 58 I instance can be produced of the least abatement of rent, on the oU estates, in consequence of the tenants being deprived of their cam- aims by inclosing. The foregoing disquisition will, I fear, appear to many of my readers too diffuse and prolix, but as the subject is of the highest importance, and as it has been the custom of many to decry all im- provements of this kind, particularly when applied to lands similar to those of Mendip hills, I trust it will not be thought altogether impertinent. I shall now proceed to a minute delineation of the general prac- tice of farmers occupying land in this forest ; and endeavour to shew how far the general end of improvement has been kept in view, how far it has been deviated from, and in what respects the general system is susceptible of amendment. It appears by the foregoing statement, that the expences of the act of parliament, commissioners fees, roads, dividing and allot- ting fencing, drawing, and inrolling the award, and all other in- cidental expences, ought not to exceed 2I. 10s. per acre ; to this must be added twenty shillings per acre for raising the quick set hedges to maturity ; and to avoid objections, I will say fifty shil- lings per acre for necessary buildings, pools, &c. Let us now endeavour to state the " cut bono" of such specu- lation. In its open, uncultivated state, the value of this waste could not be estimated at more than three shillings per acre ; indeed it is a matter of doubt, all circumstances considered, if it be worth any thing to the possessors. In its inclosed state, and previous to its cultivation, it might be let for eight shillings per acre ; and when cultivated and manured with lime, its value will be advanced to fifteen shillings. let [ 59 J Let us state the account both 3 15 o purchafe . To inclosing, dividO ing, without build- ? 3 10 o ings .... J ings Profit. 2 15 o Cr. By value at 8s. per"! acre, 25 years pur- > 10 © o chase ... J £. 10 00 In this instance the profit is ?iot despicable. Or, Secondly, Dr. To above cost with-1 out buildings . J To buildings, &c. . To sundry plowings," J> 4 5 o 7 5 0 2 10 o harrowings, and liming, 20 qrs. per acre .... From which must be . deducted the value of the first crop, ex- clusive of seed, in- terest of money, and all other charges 14 o o 3 12 o • 10 Profit 8 8 0 7 0 £.18 15 0 Cr, alue at 1 5s. perl iy 25 years pur- > se , , . J By value at 15s. per' acre, 25 years pur- J> 18 15 © chase There are few ways in which money or industry can be employed to greater advantage than this, or in which the public good can be more promoted ; and yet I have frequently heard men, in other respects [ 6o ] respects of sound understanding, ridicule such speculations as alto= gether visionary, and absurd. Were it even admitted that the adventurers in these schemes, are for the most part sufferers, yet it cannot be denied that the community is benefited, inasmuch as the land is made to produce ten times as much as it did in its primitive state ; and the amount of labor is nothing 'but an addition to the capital stock of the nation. Notwithstanding these improvements on the forest of which we are now treating, have been carried on with unabating ardor and activity, yet it will appear by the following statement, that much is left to be done. Inclosed Parishes Leigh . . . Ashwick . . Cranmoor, &c. Charterhouse . Hay den . . Ubly . . . Blagdon Doulting and Stoke Shepton . . . Shuters Bottom . Westbury West Hartry Compton Martin Blagdon . . . Old Down . . Dinder and Croscomb 800 Chilcot and Horrington 800 Wells .... 2800 Acres 100 350 300 1000 400 95° 1000 800 800 600 35o 900 700 800 100 TJn 'in 'closed Parishes Acres Chew ton .... 2000 East Hartry . . . 1100 Priddy and Stoke . . 1200 Cheddar 2^00 Axbridge .... Compton Bishop Winscomb and Shipham Rowboro' and Churchill Berrington . . . Charter House . . . Banwell, Lockstone, Curston, Locking, and Hutton . . . } 300 500 800 1000 1000 35° 800 1 3»55o n>550 The [ 6i j The soil of these hills is for the most part deep, loamy, and of .1 good consistence; and were the climate more genial, could not frnl of being highly productive in all season's. Occasionally are to ' be found spots of land less valuable, being of a light, spungy na- ture, black in color, and totally unproductive of corn on first cul- tivation. Nature however has wisely provided a manure within itself, for uft3er the surface, at the depth of a foot, is generally found a strong ' c'ay, which being spread after the rate of thirty or forty earth- per acre, gives such a tenacity to the soil, as enables it to produce corn, or any crop in great abundance. And here let me advise a general investigation of the substrata of all soils, about to be improved ; for I verily believe, that in most instances, a manure may there be found, near at hand, and congenial thereunto. Do we not frequently find clay under sand, and sand under clay ; under flint, chalk; under white lias, or stor.^ brash, marie ; under red earth, limestone; under peat bogs, sea mud or clay. Are not these circumstances sufficient indication to the wary husbandman, to examine minutely the interior quality of his land, previous to applying extraneous, and expensive manures. The climate of these hills is cold, moist, and boisterous during the winter season, and frequently immersed in fogs ; but in sum- mer, the air is clear, salubrious, and invigorating. And it fre- quently happens that potatoes, French beans, and other spring crops, are destroyed in the vale, by frost in April or May, when those on the hill are in no degree injured. The favorite corn crop is oats, which are produced in great abun- dance, and of good quality. The wheat and barley are inferior, being thick in the skin, and of a dark color; however the defect in quality is amply made up by the quantity, for it is no unusual thing after the land is manured with lime, to get from twenty to thirty bushels (Winchester) of wheat, and forty or fifty bushels of barley per acre. As to oats, the usual crop is from forty to sixty bushels. But the most eligible mode of conducting a farm on lands of this description, is to grow comparatively, but little corn, and that little in the highest perfection. To have a great breadth of turnips, cabbages, potatoes, vetches, artificial grasses, and consequently to I maintain [ 62 ] maintain a great stock. To provide all necessary buildings for shelter in the winter, and for the purposes of making mountains of dung, which the large produce of straw will enable the occupier to do. If sheep be kept, let the choice be of wedders, or wethers, (a breeding flock on such exposed situations is hazardous) and let them be folded every day in the year. Ey these means, lands of this description may be carried on in a progressive state of improvement ; and if the present price of the different articles of produce be not greatly reduced, neither the proprietor, nor the tenant, will have any reason to complain. Let us now proceed to a description of the fences, buildings, re- servoirs or pools, limekilns, roads, and all other the needful ap- pendages to such undertakings. There are various modes of fencing, and each has its advocates, but the two principal are walls and quick set hedges. WALL FENCE. In most instances, the outside bounds are a wall fence, five feet six inches high, two feet and a half wide at bottom, and fifteen inches at the top, which is covered with a turf of six inches put on in the form of an arch, making together an heighth of six feet. This wall is partly dry, and partly cemented with mortar, or what is commonly called a list wall. In some instances where a flat bed of stone can be procured, it is made without cement, and if well built, such a wall is very durable. When the ground is level, the foundation of the wall is laid on the turf, and this is to be preferred, as it will not be so apt to sink as when a trench is dug. The ex- pence of a list wall may be thus calculated per rope of twenty feet ninning length. £. s. d. To quarringor digging 8 load of stone^ (25cwt. each) at3d. o 2 o To hailing the same supposing the distance § a mile, at 6d. o 4 o To building per rope, ( 20 feet) . . . . at 3s. 6d. 036 To 3 bushels of lime at 3d. o o 9 To covering with turf (if done very well) .... 003 £• o 10 6 •■ DRY [ *3 ] DRY WALL. To quarring as before 020 To hailing ditto 040 To building , at 2s o 2 o To turfing ..,.003 8 When stones can be got within a wheeling distance, or about sixty or seventy yards, the cost will be reduced about two Shillings per rope, and if the wall be wholly made with cement, it will be enhanced about 2s. 6d per tope. QUICKSET HEDGES. These hedges, if rightly managed and attended to, whilst young, are in themselves, great advantage and profit ; they afford good shelter for the cattle, and they furnish fuel and writh for the ne- cessary purposes of the occupier. The first thing to be done, is to mark out the course of the ditch. The dimensions of the bank on which the quick sets are planted is generally seven feet at the bottom, three and a half feet at the top, and two feet high. On each side is a ditch 3 feet wide, and 2 feet deep ; the sides being made sloping, and the bottom not wider than six inches ; this is to prevent the cattle from walking in the ditch, and cropping the young shoots- In making t^e Hitrh, the men should be particularly careful, not to throw any bad earth from the bottom of the ditches into the centre of the bank. If this be done, the growth of the quick will be greatly retarded. The making this bank will cost nine pence per rope, (twenty feet). Let the sets be taken from a nursery formed on a good soil ; let them be straight in their growth, having been once transplanted from the seed bed, and four or five years old. The shoots should also be smooth on the bark, and well rooted. These sets are worth about one shilling per hundred. I 2 The [ 64 ] The bank being thus prepared, and the quick ready, let a trench be cut in the middle of the bank, and let the sets be cut off, and laid with the head inclining a little at the distance of about three inches from plant to plant. Let the roots be then covered with a little of the best mould, after which fill up the whole trench with rotten dung, or compost, strewing a little more good mould on the top. The digging of the trench and planting will cost two-pence per rope. Nothing more is necessary but to secure them from injury. For their defence therefore, and shelter, two dead hedges must be made, about six inches distant from the outside edges of the bank. These hedges are about three feet high, and composed of wreath, or bush wood, with a proper number of stakes ; the expence of materials and labor is about 2s. lod. per rope. Time of planting the quick either in the months of October, February, or March. It is the practice of some to plant two rows of quick instead of one, but I have not found this plan succeed so well. Some also recommend the planting at greater distance than three inches, under an idea that thick planting retards their growth ; but I have invariably found that the hedges planted thick thrive- the best. Some advise the planting of timber trees in the hedge, but I think it a bad practice, as the dripping from them frequently kills the thorn plants, and makes a vacancy in the hedge. After this the young quick must be carefully weeded, and hoed twice a year, and particular care must be taken to prevent their being cropped either by cattle or sheep, both of whom are very fond of the tender buds ; and if by any accident they have gained access to them, and gnawed them, they must be cut down within 3 \ inch of the ground. In cold, exposed situations, two sets of dead fences are requisite, to bring the quick to maturity, and the cost may be thus calculated. Making [ 65 ] Making the bank 009 Quick sets 80 in a rope 009 Planting and dunging 002 2 Dead hedges 025 (X. B. One waggon-load of writh will cost 17s. 6d. and make about 15 rope of single hedge.) Making two dead fences 005 046 Weeding plants for three years 003 2 Additional dead hedges 0210 077 -V. B. The old wood will pay for sundry repairs of the hedges injured by sportsmen, &c. Having now stated the different expence of a mortar, and list tvall, a dry -vail, and also of raising a bank, and planting quick. It may not be amiss to enumerate the comparative advantages and disadvantages. A wall is certainly the best fence for a given number of years. It covers less ground, it does less injury to the crops than hedges. If part by accident fall, it is easily repaired, cattle are kept more secure, sportmen are excluded. These are the principal advan- tages, which in a great degree compensate for the want of shelter and durability, and in most instances where stone can easily be got, and I think in all cases, where land is poor and exposed to violent winds, it is no ineligible fence. On the other hand, quickset hedges are beautiful to the eye, and if the climate, quality, and depth of soil, be such as to throw out a vigorous shoot, and minute attention be paid to them in their in- fancy, they are less expensive, and at the end of fourteen or fifteen years, will yield a sufficient produce when cut down, and plashed to pay all the expences incurred by the first making, and this cutting may be repeated afterwards every twelve or fourteen years without in- jury to the stocks : and here let me remind the farmer, that the proper time to cut and plash his hedges, is when the ground is to be ploughed, or if it be pasture, when the crop is to stand for hay ; for cat- tle are very fond of the young branches, and by cropping them in the summer will greatly injure the shoots. 4 But [ 66 ] But may not these too modes be so combined, as to reap the advantage of both, that is, by making both a wall and hedge ? to this there can be no objection, but the expence. A dry stone-wall, \\ feet high, with six inches turf on the top, may be built on a similar calculation with the foregoing, for six shillings per rope, and a low bank may be rose under it, on which quick may be planted. The growth encouraged by shelter and warmth will be rapid, and in four or five years time, the wall may be taken away, and the stones converted into lime, or used on the public roads, or for any other purpose. If this fence be made at the time when the land is converted into tillage, one dead fence will be sufficient, and that need not be an expensive one. The dissursment iaiU be as follows : Building 4_f feet of wall, stones and hailing included 060 Turfing 002 Making bank and planting quick 004 Sets o o S 1 Dead fence on the inside .012 Weeding 002 086 From which deduct the value of the stones at 3d. reiO , j r° * 6 curt load J 070 This I think a more eligible mode of fencing than either of the preceding, but still there is another method which I prefer to all others in situations, such as that on which we are now treating. This is making a bank four feet high, and planting on it full grown sloe or black thorn, setting them very thick, and cutting off the top to the height of three feet. The principal objection that can be started to this plant is the running of its roots, which are said to obstruct the plough, but I can declare from long experience, that in banks, such as I describe, accompanied with ditches, i\ feet deep, no such inconvenience has occurred. In most countries great quantities of this black thorn might be found in coppices, borders of fields, commons, &c. and the owners will be obliged 4 by [ 6? ] by your digging them up ; one good waggon-load of these plants, will be sufficient for twelve rope, and the cost may be thus esti- mated. £. s. d. Making the bank . . o 1 o per rope, Digging up and planting o 1 c ditto Carriage of plants 006 026 N. B. The price of carriage must vary according to the dis- tance. It may be adviceable to mix with the black thorn, some hazle, or withy stocks, together with the large brier, and to lay the lop- pings of the sloe along the summit of the bank, securing them by small stakes, so as to prevent sheep from making a passage through the stocks. This fence requires but little repair; the sloe wi 11 . throw out so many shoots from its root, and the briar will so in- twine its branches with the hedge, as to make it in a few years impervious to cattle of any kind. And though it cannot be ex- pected to grow to a great height, yet it will be as close and thick as the farmer can wish, and together with the bank will constitute excellent shelter and defence, and withal will be made at the least possible expence. After inclosing and dividing, the next object of attention are suitable buildings, such as a dwelling-house, barns, stables, stall- ings, &c. &c. These are placed as near as possible the centre of the farm, and though not elegant, are for the most part useful and commodious. They are built with stone, and generally thatched, the inconvenience of which is severely felt ; for the moisture of the air, and the powerful effects of the wind, render frequent repairs necessary. A roof will require coating every eight or ten years, it is a harbour for vermin ; is more dangerous in respect to fire, and every thing considered, is more expensive than tile, to en- courage the use of which, our rulers would do well were they to repeal the present tax upon that article (or at least to allow a draw- back on such as may be used on farm-houses, barns, &c.) for I think it would not be difficult to prove, that the injury done to the kingdom, in respect to its agriculture, is five times greater than the produec [ 68 ] produce of the tax. Exempt from duty, the use of tils must, I think, be general, by which means all the straw would be devoted to the purpose of subsistance for cattle, or manure. The expence of a comfortable farm-house, with its neceiTary appendages, is estimated at about 250!. That of a barn, roomy enough for four threshers, and capacious enough to hold twenty or thirty load of corn, 150I. Stables, stalling, pig-styes, &:c. i£cl. more, making the whole r, -ol. This expenditure will be sufficient for a farm of five hun- bog as yet unimprovcd# Compton Bishop . . 300 Glastonbury . • . 1500 Do , . 300 . . D* Westhay, &c. . . . , 1700 Do , . 1030 . . D« Mark 2000 Huntspil , . . , 1200 Shapwick . . . 100 Blackford . . . . 900 Wookey , . . . 900 Westbury , . . . 450 Bleadon . . . , 400 West Pennard . . , 250 Eddington . . . , 1000 Do . . 400 . . D. Stoke and Draycot . 800 Nylands . . . . 350 Wells .... . 1150 17400 2800 Of thefe 17,400 acres, six parts out of seven are cleared of stag- nant water, and rendered highly productive ; on the turf bog but little improvement has hitherto taken place. There remain about 3000 acres to be inclosed, which (the turf bogs excepted) will compleat the division of all the moors within the Brent Marsh district. It is not to be understood, that the local drains, under such a variety of acts, and at such different times, can have the most perfect influence on the country, particularly when it is con- sidered that the river Axe has no barrier to the tide, which flows several miles and choaks the lower part of it with slime, to such a degree, that many thousand acres adjoining the upper parts of the river are, in consequence thereof, very much injured. Were a barrier with proper sluices ere&ed near the Bristol Channel, some cf the most considerable windings of the river shortened, and the shallow parts deepened, not only the moors but the old inclosures u odd be greatly benefited thereby. N 2 The . [ 96 ] The river Brue drains a much more considerable part of Brent Marsh, than the Axe, and has a barrier to the tide (which rises there no lefs than twenty feet in height) with sluices therein, at Highbridge, but its foundation, and the apron and cills of the sluices are at such a height above low water mark, that the drain is very imperfect, and the lowest lands, which lie some miles up the river, are frequently incommoded by the land floods. On the confines of the Brue, are two heath or turf bogs ; one en the north side containing about 3000, and the other on the south containing about 6000 acres. On these bogs scarce any pasturage at prefent grows; They are a composition of porous substances, floating on water and imbibing it like a spunge. They are observed to rise with much wet, and sink in dry weather. The principal use to which they are appro- priated, is that of fuel to the surrounding parishes. As it is an object of the first importance to the country to have these bogs perfectly drained, and consolidated, I shall endeavour to suggest a plan whereby this defirable effect may in my opinion be attained. The cause of the inundation and drowning of this level, arises from the outfalls being choaked up either by the collection of sea mud in the river, or by elevated land lying between it and the Bristol Channel. Of course nothing more is necessary than a re- moval of those obstructions to the outfalls, which will open a free passage and quick current to the land water; this being effected, ?he turf bogs which are now five, or six feet higher than the adja- cent land would subside, and the porous earth become consoli- dated, and fit for all the purposes of vegetation. The annexed plan, drawn by Mr. White the surveyor, will suffi- ciently explain the object in view, and excite the attention of all parties interested. By the levels, thus delineated, (the accuracy of which may be depended on) it appears, that the spring tides are nearly on a level with the surface of the turf bogs, and that by the proposed outlet an additional fall of ten feet will be acquired. Such a drain re- duced to an inclined plane of a foot in a mile, will be under the clay of the bog, and consequently discharge all its stagnant waters, A far=» [ 97 ] A farther explanation is unnecessary, as the plan will convey a more distinct idea of the general design, than words. • The present outlet at Highhridge is not only of insufficient depth, but is situate so far inland, that the slime and mud choalc up the river, and the current is not rapid enough to dislodge the same. I am aware that many of the proprietors of land on Huntspit, Mark, &c. will object under an idea, that their lands will be made too dry, and that in the summer season, their stock will be desti- tute of water. But this objection, and indeed every other drawn from the apprehension of a too liberal discharge of water, maybe obviated, by placing hatches at the different bridges, which will be necessary both for public and private accommodation. An improvement of such magnitude, cannot be effected without the authority of Parliament, and all persons receiving benefit, must be burthened with a rate, proportionate to the advantages derived. This assessment must be made by commissioners duly appointed, but subject to an appeal to the court of Quarter Ses- sions : and the drains when finished must be put under the view of the Court of Sewers. I will now endeavour to give a hasty sketch of the probable cost, and subsequent improvement : but in this I do not pretend to accuracy; suffice it to say, that the apparent benefit so far ex- ceeds, the utmost latitude of expence, that no solid objection can- lie on that head. BRENT [ 98 ] BRENT MARSH DRAINAGE. To Act of Parliament, gain- ing consents, Sec. . . 400 To sluice at Letter de, near the river Perrott . . . 600 To 12 miles of new drain, average depth 1 5 feet 1 2,000 To lowering river Brue three miles ..... 1500 To purchase of land . . 2000 To bridges, hatches, &c. 2000 To sluice on the Axe near Hobbs boat .... 500- To if miles of new drain 1500 To lowering the river Axe six miles .... 1000 To purchase of land . . 1 eoo To commissioner, surveyor, &c. Sec. 2500 25,000 To ballance of profit 206,250 CV. By 9000 acres turf bog improved at the most moderate computa- tion, 15s. per acre, making 6750I. per annum, 25 years pur- chase .... 168,75® By 5000 acres of flooded land im- proved 10s. 6d. per acre, or 2500I. per annum, 25 years purchase . : . 62,500 X23^250 £ 231,250 On the side of the river Axe the expence of a compleat drainage would not exceed 5000I. and there can be no doubt that the low lands near Axbridge, Cheddar, Nyland, Draycot, Rodney Stoke, Westbury, &c. would be improved at least 2000I. per annum. As a farther stimulus it might be urged, that the air would be rendered more healthful, and the exhalations which now rise from so large a body of stagnant water, and are wafted by the winds to the high corn lands of the Mendip Hills to their great detriment, would be unknown. Were [ 99 ] Were the turf bogs reclaimed and made productive, I think this district might be considered as one of the most fertile in the king- dom. The vales are formed principally by mud carried down by the rivers which flow through it, and deposited there by the tide's opposing the current thereof ; many ages must have been required to effect this, but it is evident that the whole of this district is raised to a considerable height, above its original level ; and that the turf bogs were in former days dry and firm land, not subject to inundation from the sea, or to the stagnation of the river waters ; else how can we account for timber trees of great dimen- sions, both oak, fir, and willow, being found at the depth of 15 or 20 feet, standing in the same erect posture in which they grew ; and reeds and other palustrine plants, at the same depth and in the same posture. Human bones, furze bushes, and nut trees with nuts, have been found at the same depth. Now it is manifest, that neither furze nor nut trees will grow under water. It appears therefore probable, that the whole of this level was at a former period dry, firm land ; and that by some violent convul- sion of nature it became of a sudden inundated ; this is in some degree confirmed by the extraordinary depth of the clay or sound ground, on the verge of the Highlands ; and it is well known, that in many parts of this kingdom the sea has gained on the land, and in other parts the land has gained on the sea. The improvement of such a tract of barren unproductive land, would impart the most pleasing sensations to the mind, and I verily think that two grand drains, accompanied with proper lateral ditches, such as I have now suggested, would increase the rent of this district eight or ten thousand pounds per year. The profit which has attended the improvement already prac- tised during the last twenty years is, I should think, a sufficient in- centive. Scarcely a farmer can now be found who does not possess a considerable landed property, and many whose fathers' lived in idleness and sloth on the precarious support of a few half starved cows, or a few limping geese, are now in affluence, and blessed with every needful species of enjoyment. Disorders of the body, to which the stagnant waters heretofore subjected them, are now scarcely known, and the inhabitants for the most part arrive to a good old age, SOIL, [ 10° ] SOIL. The soil of these moors may be comprehended under four divi- sions : First, Strong, dry, and fertile clay of a considerable depth. Second, Red earth of various depth from one foot to six feet, covering the black, moory earth of the heath. Third, Black moory earth on the surface with a substratum of clay at various depths. Fourth, and Lastly, The turf bog. The first of these descriptions of land may be considered as of the best quality, being highly productive, and particularly so in a wet summer. If shut up early in the spring it will produce from two to three ton of hay per acre. Its value may be estimated from 2 to 3I. per acre, and it is for the most part devoted to grazing. It is no less remarkable than true, that this land will fat a sheep nearly as well in the winter as the summer, if not stocked more than one to an acre. The vast advantage resulting from the inclosure of the waste lands in the parishes before enumerated is so manifest, that whoever runs may read. A moiety of the manor of Wedmoor might have been pur- chased about twenty years ago for 20,0001. It is now worth 7000I. per annum. The improvements in Huntspile, Mark, Mear, Glas- tonbury, Eddington, &c. &c. are nearly similar. In the latter hamlet single rights have been sold for more than 800I. and all this without any concomitant inconvenience. At first the scheme was highly unpopular, and its first promoters were on the eve of falling a sacrifice to popular fury and resentment, but by coolness and perseverance they weathered the storm : all parties are now satisfied, and acknowledge the wisdom of the measure. Nor has the advance of the poors rate been in any degree equal to what has been experienced in neighbouring parishes, where no inclosure has token place, as will be shewn by the following statement. Wed, [ ioi ] Wedmoor. Wedmoor, Amount of poor rate 7 years! £• Amount of poor rate] £. previous to the inclo- V 2132 7 years subsequent > 2342 sure J to the inclosurc HUNTSPII-L. D° 1561 Do .... . 2204 Mark. D° . . . . f . . . 1985 Do .... , 2163 Meare, Do ........ 2016 Do .... . 2170 An increased population necessarily accompanying such an oc- cupation of productive land, muft inevitably be attended with a proportionate advance in the poor's levy ; besides, men cannot, in an instant by any, even the strongest incentives, be roused from a state of sloth to a life of labor and activity. To this may be added that a great part of the extra levy, arises/ro/a the high dema?id for county stock ; and it is found that for several years past the rates are declining, notwithstanding the poor are treated with much mere liberality than heretofore. The division of property on these lands is effected by ditches 8 feet wide at the top, 3§- feet wide at the bottom, and 5 feet deep, which may be cut in the strongest clay for 2od. per rope, which it something less than f per cubic yard ; and on the black ground and red earth at i6d. per rope. At these prices a good workman will, in the summer, earn three shillings per day, and in winter two shillings. Can any excava- ting machine execute this work at a cheaper rate ? These rhynes discharge their waters into the rivers, and sluices are occasionally made to keep back water in times of drought, for the use of the stock. The graziers on these strong clays are fond of large inciosuresj and object to the planting any trees, or hedges, alledging as a rea- son, that they harbour flies, which teaze the cattle, and check their progress in fatting ; trees also prevent a free circulation of air. Experience confirms the wisdom of this theory. Many ako are of opinion, that one piece of forty acres will sooner fat a given quan- tity of oxen, or sheep, than two pieces of twenty acres each. All however do not agree in this sentiment, and the opponents urge O fax [ 102 [ that animals eat with greater relish, when frequently changed from one field to another, than when they are confined to one. As no satisfactory experiments have ever (to my knowlei been recorded on this subject, let us reason a lew mc thereon. It is difficult to decide in this case from experiment. Two pieces of land, perfectly alike in quality, or two sets of stock exactly similar cannot easily be found ; we must therefore form our opinion from some other data. The argument made use of by the advocates for change is, " that of giving the food to the cz\\\z fresh and fresh ;" but this seems not to be conclusive. Inde- pendent of the division fence (which occasions a loss of pasturage unfavorable to the small allotments) there must be an equal num- ber of blades of grass in either case, and the cattle may vary their feeding as much in one instance as in the other, for in the large inclosures they will not be seen in the evening where they were feeding in the morning. The grand enquiry is, Do the cattle, or do they not consume more grass in one way than the other. I think they do: and shall not hesitate (though with great diffidence) to give my opinion in favor of a change of food ; and this for the ibllowing reasons : When an animal is rnrned into a piece of grass, he takes a sur- vey of the whole field, for the purpose, I presume, of selecting that kind of herbage which best pleases his palate. This perambulation does not much injure the grass, for if it be not very rank indeed (and graziers should be careful that it be not so) it will soon rise after the animals tread. He then be- comes contented, and during the time of his abode, feeds in the same manner as he would, were the piece ever so large. After one or two month's residence in a large piece, the animal becomes disgusted with his situation and tired of his food ; the grass is tainted by his breath and by the effluvia of his dung, he bellows for change, and traverses the field, consuming, or rather deftroy- ing, more grass with his feet than with his mouth. In ever so large an inclosure (properly stocked) every part of the field is tainted with the breath of the animal some time or other in the course of twenty-fcu; hours, and it is astonishing J^iovv scon they become disgusted ; in changing from field to field if ] 103 J it is not so. Every fortnight or three weeks brings a supply of untainted food, which gratifies their palate, and a change of scene amuses them and increases their comfort and enjoyment. The only manure ever put on these lands is the contents of the drains and ditches, and this, with judicious management in the method of grazing, is sufficient to keep them in unabating ferti- ' lity. Some of this clay land, when tilled, has been known to produce ten or twelve successive crops of wheat, without an intervening fallow or fallow crop. I was shewn a field in the parish of Mark, which had growing in it the nineteenth crop of wheat, and I verily think the produce will not be less than fifty Winchester bushels per acre. No manure had been put on it during the whole time, save the contents arising from the cleansing of the ditches. The stubble was mown every year and carried off, two ploughings only were given it, after which the wheat was sown in the months of November or December, under furrow in eight furrow ridges, after the rate of i\ bushels per acre, chopping the clods and smoothing the surface of the ridge with a spade. The average produce per year for the whole eighteen years was estimated to exceed thirty-five bushels per acre. This astonishing fertility of soil can only be afcribed to the in- vigorating principles of the saline particles with which the land is impregnated. They enable it to produce a succession of crops, which in common land would reduce the soil to a mere caput mortuum. Notwithstanding this encouragement to tillage, the plough lies idle, and nineteen parts out of twenty remain in grass ; though it is apparent that the value of the land in fee may be gained in a few years. G P.AZ1NG MANAGEMENT. THERE are two methods of fatting oxen, the one called sum- mer, and the other winter fatting; the first is thought the most profitable and accompanied with the least rifque. In the first method. They are purchased in February, and are for the most part of the Devon sort, bred in the lower part of So- O 2 mersetshire. [ 104 ] flterSetshire, They are bought in good condition, and cost from* 81. to 15I. each; during the interval between February and grass time they consume etch about 10 cwt. or 12 cwt. of inferior hay, (■viz.) the skimming of their summer leaze. When at grass they are allowed from o"ne acre to one acre and a half each ox, and some *dd one sheep to each ox. Horses, if any, are kept very spa- ringly, not at any rate to exceed one to twenty acres of grazing ground. These oxen will be fat some before and some soon after Michaelmas, paying for their keep from 3s. 6d. to 4s. per week. Frequent bleeding in small quantities, is found to accelerate their fatting. The next stock are bought in June, July, and August, and are not of so good a sort, being either home bred or Welsh, and cost from 61. to 81. These follow the stock purchased in February^ and are sometimes stall fed in the winter, and sometimes fatted in the field ; in either case they have the best hay and good atten- dance. They are fat in April and May, and sell from 12I. to 14L each. A grazier occupying 200 acres of the best land may fat yearly loo head of oxen, to which add 270 sheep and 10 colts, consti- tuting altogether a profit comfortable, but by no means exorbi- tant. The t 105 ] D, The accompt may be thus stated ; GRAZING. Ct. To rent of 200 acres, average va- lue, 40s . . 400 o o To tythe and taxes, fay . .50 00 Feb. To 50 oxen at ill. . . . 550 o o July To 50 oxen at 7I 35° o o To mowing and making 50 acres of hay, at 10s. 25 o o To skimming and making 50 acres of summer leaze, at 3s. . . . 7 10 o Towages through- out the year, be- sides the farmers labor : . . 50 o o To accidents . 20 o o 1452 10 o To profit inte- rest of capital included . . 277 10 o 1730 o o Ocl. By 50 oxen at 18I. . . . 900 o o May By 50 oxen at 13I. . : . 650 o o By profit on 70 sheep, summer kept . . . 40 o o By profit on 10 colts . . . 40 o o By profit on 200 sheep, winter fat- ted, and sold in April unshorn . too o © 1730 o o The oxen when fat are driven to the London, the Salisbury, and the Bristol markets, at the following expences (salesman's commission included.) London, 12s. per head Sarum, 5s. ditto Bristol, 3s. ditto They I -1=6 J They are nine days travelling to London, a distance of 130 miles. It is diiiicult to say which may be considered as the best market] but the general opinion seems to be, that the London market is calculated for those only who attend it regularly every week, the price of beef per itone greatly varying according to the plenty or scarcity in the market. Some farmers graze heifers, inp>referencc to oxen, buying them in about the months of March and April, and selling in October and November. The profit amounts to 40s. or 50s. each for their summer food, and the land is stocked after the rate of one heifer to each acre, together with a considerable number of sheep both in summer and winter, and it is thought by many that this method of occupation is more profitable than the former. Others fat two year old wedders of the Dorsetshire and Somer- setshire breed. The Dorset sort are purchased about Michaelmas at Sherborne and Stolford Fairs, price from 20s. to 30s. No hay is given in the winter unless the weather be uncommonly severe, or the ground covered with snow. They are sold fat between Fe- bruary and May, and weigh from 20 to 301'bs. per quarter. A few oxen accompany the sheep, which are bought in the spring and. fitted the ensuing winter. It is the universal opinion, that sheep are not so profitable stock as oxen. It is no unusual tiling for some of the graziers to give their prime oxen a second summer's grass. In this case they are brought to a high state of perfection, and in all probability they pay more the second year than the first, for it is well known that an animal nearly fat will consume much less food than a poor one. Ewes and lambs are also the stock of some farmers; they are purchased partly in the autumn in lamb, and partly in the spring with the lambs by their sides, and are mostly of the Dorsetshire or Mendip breed. All the graziers of this county are partial to the red oxen of Somerset and Devon, and you seldom see a North country ox in their possession. They will not allow that the northern oxen possess any comparative merit either for labor or slaughter ; per- haps some allowance should be made for long established preju- dices, but it must be admitted that in the London market, to which fat oxe« are brought from all parts of the kingdom, the Somerset- [ 107 ] Somersetshire, (next to the Galloway Scot fatted in Norfolk a Suffolk) appear to bear the belle both in respect to firmness of gr r.nd internal fatnefs; and there cannot be a stronger proof of theii merit, than the increasing demand for them with the most eminent graziers of Leicestershire,. Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, 8cc. many of whom regularly attend the fairs both of Devon and Somerset, as purchasers of them lean ; and I have been credibly informed they find a good account in so doing. As to myself, it is with reluc- tance that I hazard an opinion on this subject ; respecting which men of long established experience are so much divided, and on which such various opinions exist. But I cannot help remarking, that if the superiority of tie northern sort were so conspicuous as the great breeders of the North affirm, how is it that some of their best friends and most strenuous supporters in the sheep line desert them here, and give an unqualified preference to the western breed. It is not likely that a wary and considerate farmer would travel 150 or 200 miles to purchase stock, with all the manifold inconveniencies and risque which must attend the driving so far, if he could purchaseequally cheap and good at home. Nothing is more censurable than an injudicious partiality, and this principle oft times leads men hastily to run away with ideas unsupported by fact ; but when long experience and frequent trial have produced conviction, a farmer would be equally inexcusable, were he to resist the influence naturally produced in his mind thereby. The red breed of Devon and Somerset have been progressively increasing, and they are now partially difpersed over great part of the kingdom, and in respect to their qualities as a laboring animal, I never heard but one opinion, and that opinion I can myself con- firm from large and long experience, namely, that they are the bat in the kingdom. In respect to their qualities as a fatting animal, I will not speak so decidedly, for I verily believe they have many rivals ; the French, the Galloway Scot, the Leicester and Oxford- shire, the Herefordshire, the Glamorganshire, the Suffolk polled, are all good grazing cattle ; and in almost every county may be found in the hands of the most spirited and attentive farmers, a valuable sort highly superior to the general run of the county; and I must again repeat: that the safest plan which a farmer can adopf, is [ io8 ] 16 thai of improving bis breed by a judicious selection of his best females, and by procuring such males as are eminently distin- guished for perfection in those points wherein his may be found deficient. A total change of stock is frequently accompanied with loss and disappointment, and if the attempt succeed you are for a considerable time driven to the necessity of fatting-all you breed ; for the rooted prejudice of graziers in favor of the prevailing sort of the county, whatever they may be, cannot easily be overcome ; and you may in vain expect at market a price adequate to your care and exertion. Notwithstanding what has been said, there are certain well- founded axioms in the grazing system relating to the shape of the animal, which cannot justly be disputed. Delicacy in the horn, head, and neck ; deepness and roundness of the carcase, wideness of the loins, small bones accompanied with a thin (kin : these, with many other points which might be enumerated, are consi- dered as essentials, and are seldom unaccompanied with an aptU lude to fat. The same partiality which I have here stated to exist among the Marsh farmery in favor of the red oxen, was a few years since as ctrongly manifested in favor of the Dorsetshire sheep; but of late the polled breed of the lower part of the county gain ground, and are in high esteem. These sheep are bred in the neighbourhood of Dulverton, Bamp- ton, Wiveliscombe, &c. they are well made, yield a large shear of wool, and fat quickly; but they might in my opinion bo greatly improved by a cross with the new Leicester, to which they have in size and shape some degree of affinity. The objeclicii made by the breeders in that district to a cross with Leicester Is, that what they might gain externally, they should lose internally ; and that the deficiency in the fat of the inside would so disgrace their sheep in the eye of the butcher, that they would lose their old customers. Surely this reasoning is fallacious ; for on a supposi- tion that the inoide fat of a sheep were by this intermixture to be reduced 61b. per sheep, (and I think this as much as it possibly could be) rhe deficiency at 4d. per pound would amount to only two shillings ; five pounds extra weight of the carcase would pay jrhis. and if the buyer were to allow the butcher for this defect, 4 , all t *°9 ] all reasonable objection on his part is done away, and on the other hand the grazier need not be alarmed, for he may rest assured, that the increase of the carcase will amply repay the want of in- side fat. DAIRY MANAGEMENT. THE cows of this district being intended chiefly for the pur- poses of cheese making, the profit arising is in proportion to the quantity and quality of the milk; size therefore is not attended to, but principal regard is paid to the breed whence she sprung. The dairy men think it more profitable to have a small breed well fed, than the best breed in the world starved ; and the cow that gives milk the longest is most esteemed *. The time of calving is from the beginning of February to Lady Day, and they take great care to keep their cows well three weeks or a month before they calve; the milk will rise in proportion to the goodness of their keeping ; very little attention is paid to the nature or sort of the bull. The calves (those few excepted which are reared to keep up the stock) seldom live a month, and cheese making begins in March, from which time it continues till December. The calves which are reared are fed principally with cheese whey, and in May they are turned to grass and left to shift for themselves ; some careful dairy women have tried to increase their growth, by giving them whey after they are put to grass, but this plan is reprobated as doing more harm than good. When they be- come yearlings they are subject to a disorder provincially called the Quarter Ail, which is a mortification beginning at the hock, and proceeding with astonishing rapidity to the vital parts, occa- * The cheese of this district is much admired, particularly that made in the parishes of Mcar and Cheddar. It is for the most part purchased by Jobbers, and sent through the medium of "Weyhill, Gilsshill, Reading, and other fairs, to the London market, where it is sold under the name of double G/osfer* The method of making has beea so often described, that I shall not trouble my readers with a minute detail thereof, and shall only add, that cleanliness, sweet rennet, and attention to breaking the curd, are the principal requisites in cheese making. P sioning [ »o ] stoning death in a very few hours. The first symptom is lameness and no cure has yet been found ; the quarter affected becomes in- tirely putrid whilst the other quarters are in a sound state. This disorder is, I think, the same with that known in Norfolk under the name of Gargut ; nor is it confined to these counties, but is, I believe, generally known ; and an investigation of the cause of the disorder, which might lead to the discovery of a cure, is well worthy the attention of all agricultural bodies. Cows are ■subject to a disorder called the Yellows, something similar to the Jaundice in the human species. This disorder frequently affects the udder, and brings on a false quarter, that is, a deprivation of rnilk in one teat, accompanied with a swelling and inflammation. £or this, however, I can suggest a remedy which seldom fails, fe&» flour of mustard mixed with any liquid, two ounces a dose, and repeating the same two or three times in the course of 24 hours. The heifers are put to the bull in July, when they are about one year and half old ; and the prevailing opinion seems to be, that those which are kept from the bull a year longer do not turn out good milkers. The average produce of a dairy per day may be calculated at about three gallons per cow, from Lady Day to Michaelmas, and from Michaelmas to Christmas one gallon per cow per day. Cows are kept till they are fourteen or fifteen years old, and when fatted they seldom get to a higher price than seven or eight? pounds. A dairy maid can manage twenty cows so far as relates to the in-door work, and the gross produce of a dairy frequently averages a al. per cow, and in some particular instances 14I. but this can only be done when cheese is at the present enormous price of near 6d. per lb. twelve months old, and fat hogs at 4£d. per lb. The following estimate of the expences and produce of a dairy, supposing the land and. the cows to be of the first quality, may, I trust, be considered as tolerably accurate. DAIRY [ 111 ] DAIRY TWENTY COWS, Dr. Cr. To two milkers 40 weeks, at 3s. per week : .600 To a man's labor, winter serving cat- tle, changing their pasture, selling cheese, &c.&c.&c. 400 To dairy woman, 4s. 6u. per week 11 14 o To dairy uten- sils, candles, salt, brushes, mops, and all other ar- ticles ...460 By 90 cwt. of cheese To Arnotto . .100 at 45S. . . . ao2 IO 0 By calves . . 1500 A. B, A larger dairy „ ■ . • 1 _ 1 1 u c _ "Y butter . . 10 o o might be kept for 3 u 25s. per cow . 27 o o By bogs . 25 o o To rent 30 acres, summer pasture, 40s 60 o 0 To skimming the same, and making six ton of hay '300 To rent of 1 5 acres mown ground, 40s. 30 o o To making the bay, say 30 ton, at 12s. per acre 9 To tythe taxes, &c. say -. .. it) o o 139 o o To profit, interest of money, and the decreasing value ofcowsincluded 113 10 o 252 10 o 252 10 0 P 2 on [ 112 ] On a comparison of this with the grazing account, it is apparent that the dairy occupation is more profitable than grazing, for the former amounts to 50s. per acre, whereas the latter is only 28s. per acre. On account of population the dairy system ought also to be preferred, as one grazing farm of 200 acres would afford a com- fortable livelihood to four dairy families. I am aware, that should these observations induce an increase of dairies, and consequently a more liberal supply of cheese, such a declension in the price of that article might take place, as would bring all things again on a level, and advance the grazier's profit to an equality with that of the dairy man. Ee this as it may, I think dairies should be encouraged ; for the arduous domestic labor and incessant employment which they bring on the female part of a farmer's family, will always prevent an un- due increase thereof, unless their profits on a comparison are very great indeed. But whilst I thus recommend encouragement to the pail, I must do it with this proviso, that a different mode of ma- nagement be adopted from that now practised. The cows of this district are almost universally depastured in the fields both summer and winter; in consequence of which the dung produced even by a large dairy is trifling indeed ; hence arises a manifest declension in the fertility of the land, and you may distinguish a grazing from a dairy farm at a great distance. In this exhausted state the dairy land must remain, unless a diffe- rent system of management be successfully inculcated. Were I to suggest a plan of improvement it would be the following : let all dairy farms be accompanied with a due proportion of arable^ perhaps a fourth part; let proper stalls and bartons be erected as a residence for the cows during the winter months ; let cabbages, turnips and potatoes be grown for their winter subsistence ; but above all, let them be well littered and kept perfectly clean. By these means a large supply of dung may be procured at a little ex- pence ; and if the farmer wish to increase the quantity, he need only dig up the waste earth on the borders of the highways, and make a layer therewith in his bartons ; this will absorb the urine, and when mixed and incorporated with the dung, will constitute a manure highly fertilising. It cannot be sufficiently regretted, that this practice should be so seldom adopted., for repeated expert, merits [ H3 ] ments have taught, that 100 acres of land thus managed, will keep more cows than 150 acres under the present system. Artificial grasses will enable the dairy man to turn his cows out a month or five weeks earlier than he was accustomed to do on natural grass and turnips, &c. will supply them with winter provender ; so that the consumption of hay will be greatly reduced, and more land may vc devoted to summer pasture. It may be here objected, that the quality of the cheese and butter may be injured ; of this I have my doubts. Artificial grass in the months of March and April, will m:ike as good cheese or butter as natural grass ; after this the cows "should be put to the natural pasture, and the former shut up for mowing. As to the effect of turnips and cabbages, I will obviate every difficulty by stating a simple recipe, whereby all difagreeable fla- vor may be intirely prevented, in the making of butter, and as to cheese, there is but little made at that season; and if there were, the palate must be nice indeed which could distinguish a difference of flavor. Rhcipe. When the milk is set abroad in the leads, put one gallon of boil- ing water to six gallons of milk. It may also be prevented by dissolving nitre in spring water, and putting about a quarter of a pint to ten or twelve gallons of milk when warm from the cow. The second description of soil found in this district, namely, a strong red earth over a pure clay, possesses also many good quali- ties ; it is neither subject to injury from an excess of wet weather, nor djes it burn in a drought. This soil, formed by a deposit washed from the hills, may be considered as a fine vegetable mould, and if tilled, is capable of bearing a variety of crops in the highest perfection. Its value is about 40s. per acre, and its produce of hay about two ton. Black moory earth is the third sort of soil found in this level, and on it extraordinary improvements have been effected, by co7 vering the surface with a thick coat either of clay or red earth. In its natural state it is in a great measure unproductive, yielding scarcely any herbage, save carnation grass, rushes, and other aqua, tic plants. The deficiency of this soil arises from the want of tena- city 3 [ *M ] city ; the best means of improvement, is compleat draining, and after that a liberal covering with clay or red earth ; these will freely in- corporate with the soil, and make it sufficiently firm. After such improvement, no kind of land is more productive, particularly in a dry summer. I have this year seen land of this description, spring fed till the 12th of May, yield by the 24th of June two ton of hay per acre ; and Mr. Lax, on his farm at Godney, has for two years past kept twenty cows and a bull throughout the year on thirty- five acres of land. His plan is to winter * hnym fifteen acres. This on an average of seasons is fit to be stocked the beginning of April, and is fed till the 12th of May. By this time the remain- ing twenty acres are in sufficient strength to take the cows, and will keep them till the after gra:s of his mown ground is ft to receive them ; then the unfed grass in the summer lcaze is sk.med, which yields from 5 cwt. to 10 cwt. of hay per acre ; this is p-iven to the cows when they are dry, namely, in the months of Decem- ber and January. After they have calved, which is from the be- ginning of February to Lady Day, they are supplied with the best hay ; here are more than thirty tons of hay produced, so that twenty cows cannot possibly want winter provender. Not many years since this farm was part of an extensive moor inclosed by Acl of Parliament, and was purchased by Mr. Lax of the commissioners at 15I. per acre, to which add 5I. per acre for draining and claying, making in the whole 20I. per acre, at 5 per cent, the rent will be 20s. per acre. * It is old English, and fjund in a!! books and laws relating to Forests. To [ t*5 ] Dr. Cfi To rent of 35 acres, it 20s 35 o o To taxes, highways, &c. . . . i . 1 5 o To dairy women, and all other incidental ex- pences, 25s. per cow 25 0 o By 60 cwt. cheese, at To expences, making 2I. 10s. . . . 150 o o 15 acres of hay, at 12s. 9 00 By 20 calves . . . 15 o o To expences, skim- By butter . . . .1500 ming and making sum- By hogs . . . . 20 o e mer leaze hay . . 300 To fences . . . 1150 To interest of capital 7 10 o 82 10 o Profit . . . . 117 10 o 200 o c Though the produce of cheese in comparison with the general produce of the country is small, it must not be supposed tint the deficiency arose from any want of food, but principally from the cows being young and of a small breed. The last species of soil is the turf bog. The surface of this soil is of a light, spongy, tough texture, full of the fibrous roots of plant?, and withal so matted together, that a spade or knife must be made very keen to penetrate it. Immediately under the turf or sward is found a vein of black moory sand, so unlike in its nature to the peat which lies underneath, that when cut with it and dried, it will fall off and separate from it. This mould is of good quality, and will bear both natural and artificial grass in great abundance. It is also an excellent manure for clay or any other heavy land ; this black moory stratum is from one to two feet in thickness, and underneath is found the peat, which is from three to fifteen feet in depth. Under [ n6 ] Under' the peat is a bed either of clay or sand ; the peat is full of flaggy leaves, and hollow stalks of rushes. These vegetable matters are accompanied with a substance like pitch, of a bitami- nous nature, which lies between the stalks of the rushes, and the leafy remains, and constitutes the inflammable part thereof. It Is used as the common fuel of the country, and makes a clean and pleasant fire, particularly well adapted to the purposes of the dairy. An acre of land will furnish an immense quantity, insomuch that in the parish of Catcott it has been sold for a term of twenty-one years as high as thirty pounds. There is no great difficulty in the mode of curing peat. In the months of May and June it is cut out with a keen instrument into the shape of bricks, left single on the ground for a few days to dry, by which time they lose part of their moisture, and become firm enough for piling in pyramidal heaps of about a waggon load each ; in this state they are compleatly dried, and then sell for ios. per waggon load on the land where they are dug, and the price of digging and carrying is five shillings per load. Though the outer covering or sward of this boggy land will burn, yet it is not much esteemed as fuel, being soon consumed. Before I suggest a method of improving these bogs, let us ad- vert to the probable cause of their present sterility. I conceive then that stagnant water is the grand operative principle which has for ages kept the superstratum buoyant, and swimming as it were, on its surface ; this lifts up, and swells the soil, making it shake, and give way on treading. In confirmation of this idea it is found, that at the depth of four or five feet the black earth becomes a mere pulp, in which an iron rod will descend with a trifling exer- tion to the depth of the clay, and it invariably happens, that the worse the bog the deeper the clay. In the third description of land stated at the beginning of this disquisition, the clay is found at the depth of three, four, or five feet, and gradually sinks thence to the lowest part of the peat bog, where it is found at the depth of eighteen or twenty feet. If there- fore the surface of the two sorts of land be equal, one foot of stag- nant water on the clay of the former will be accompanied with fourteen or fifteen feet on the clay of the latter. Such a body of water continually remaining at all seasons of the year (for in the 4 dry eft dryest summer I conceive its diminution does not exceed iLicc o\ four feet) cannot fail of rendering the surface cold and unproduc- tive. Agreeablv to this theory the surface must rise in the winter, and subside in the summer months ; and this is verified by fact, for certain fixed bodies are seen over the moor, at certain seasons, which cannot be ' :s >ied at others. If these premises be admitted, it follows, that the only radical cure must be compleat draining, and after that burning the matted surface ; the former 1 think may be effected in the manner before stared, and the latter in the following way, without any great difficulty or expence. In the months of March or April when the land is dry, let it be plouc'ied as deep as six strong horses can plough it ; this will cost, about twenty shillings per acre. In this state let it remain till the se I is dry enough to burn, then provide yourself with some keen cut- ting knives ofabout a foot in breadth, the cutting part of which should be of a semicircular form ; with these let the plit be cut into parts of about two feet and a half in length, then let your burners reduce them to ashes as fast as possible, which being spread equally on the surface and ploughed in, sow the ground about the middle of May with one bushel and a half of buck wheat per acre, two bushels of ray grass, and five pounds of white Dutch clover. The cost of all this will be nearly as follows per acre. First ploughing ............ 100 Cutting the plit and burning ....... o 12 o Spreading the ashes 030 Second ploughing 050 Harrowing 010 i| Bushel buck wheat , 060 2 Bushels of ray grass 050 5 lb. of Dutch clover 040 Tythe .,«•».«. 030 £• 2 *9 ° i — « <4 Should [ n8 ] Should the subsequent summer be moist, it is probable that the produce of buck wheat might be equal in value to the expenditure ; but should it even entirely fail, the artificial grass will amply re- pay the expence and exertion of the husbandman. After the buck wheat is harvested, let lateral trenches be cut at the distance of thirty-five feet, emptying themselves into the great drains ; these trenches should be twelve inches wide, and six- teen inches deep, and will cost about one penny per rope (twenty feet) or about five shillings per acre. The contents of these trenches being for the most part black mould, will be excellent ma- nure for the artificial grass, and should be spread thereon without delay. It might be adviseable for the first year or two, either to mow or feed with sheep, avoiding the tread of heavy cattle till the land has fully subsided, and if clay or red earth could be procured within a moderate distance, give it an occasional sprinkling there- with, after the rate of thirty or forty cart load per acre. I have not the least doubt but with this management, or with something similar thereunto, the turf bogs might be all reclaimed, and made worth twenty-five or thirty shillings- per acre. And as a proof thereof, I need only instance the vast improvements already made, and still carrying on wish unremitting assiduity by Mr, Moxham of Glastonbury, whose exertions in this way highly merit the warmest encomiums. Without the assistance of the plough he has by draining and earthing, advanced land of the foregoing description from one shilling per acre to thirty shillings. His expences it must be al- lowed are great, for he puts one hundred cart load, nay, in some instances, one hundred and fifty cart load of red earth per acre, which being hailed one and a half or two miles, the cost must be more than ten pounds per acre ; yet notwithstanding this bountiful and expensive manuring, the advance in the value of the land am- ply compensates ; for the present price of these bogs is two pounds per acre in fee, and many hundred acres may now be bought at that late. Mr. Moxham contends, that a covering of red earth, such as he bestows, is absolutely necessary to kill the old sward ; and it must be admitted, that the end proposed is effectually obtained, but then the [ "9 J the land is for some time unproductive, and theexpence is also so enormous, that few farmers would have courage to go through so costly an experiment. How far the plan of proceeding which I have before suggested is, or is not more eligible, I shall leave to Mr. Moxham and to my readers to determine. Mr. Moxham has planted firs and alder hedges on these bogs with great success, and has made various striking improvements to the great astonishment of his neighbours, who could not conceive such things possible. In short, he is justly entitled to the thanks not only of the laboring poor, but also to those of the community, for his persevering industry and activity. No country can afford greater encouragement either to the gra- zing, dairy, or corn farmer, than this; the salubrity and mildness of the climate, and the fertility and strength of the soil, enable the occupier to devote his land to either purpose with an almost cer- tainty of success ; and the annual profit over and above his rent cannot fail as a source of wealth and independence. The dairv farms are small, seldom exceeding two hundred pounds per year; the grazing farms are large and very detached. It is obvious, that the profits of the dairy exceed those of the grazier nearly in the proportion of two to one, and as one hun- dred pounds per year will afford a comfortable subsistence to a family, small farms are best calculated to increase population, and to rear up an industrious race of independent yeomanry. Excepting the bishop of Bath and Wells, there are few proprietors who stand seized of more than six or eight hundred pounds per annum, and for the most part from one hundred to two hundred pounds per an- num, and more than nine-tenths of the land are employed in pasture. The old arable was found not to pay for ploughing, and has there- fore been laid down. Some few farmers however have enriched themselves by giving four pounds per acre for some rich dry and newly inclosed land, on which they have grown fifty bushels of wheat per acre for ten years successively, without fallow or manure of any kind. Where there is so much to approve, I am sorry there is any thing to condemn, but truth compels me to state, that a shameful inattention prevails as to their breed of cattle, and scarcely can an instance be produced of a farmer's giving more than ten pounds for Q^ 2 a bull, [ 120 ] a bull, or three pounds for a ram; yet notwithstanding this general neglect, many are accustomed to sell their home bred team of four oxen, when fat, for one hundred pounds ; and sheep in great abun- dance, th.it weigh from twenty to thirty pounds per quarter. ; The elevated corn lands were formerly in open common fields, but every effort has been made to divide and inclose them; the tenure how- ever (great part being under the see of Wells, and other churches, under charity endowments, and under queen Anne's bounty) has operated as a check to the necessary exchanges. None of these common field lands will let for more than fifteen shillings per acre;, whereas if inclosed they would let for twenty-five shillings. Course of crops. 1. Fallow. 2. Wheat. 3. Beans or peas* PrJCe of Labor. In the summer season, one shilling per day, with meat and drink ; in the wittier, one shilling and two-pence per day, with five pints of cyder. Labourers at task work will earn from two ^to three shillings per day. Paring and Burning unknown. Price of provisions something less than in the north east district of the county. The low lands are badly wooded, and planting in general shame- fully neglected, particularly a ver:>- profitable part of it, w'«, the elm and the willow, both of which thrive in this soil, and the lat- ter is much wanted for the purposes of the fishermen. The turnpike roads are nearly in a sta!;e of perfection, which all travellers passing from Cross to Bridgwater will acknowledge. The paroclv'al in a state of improvement, but much must still be done to render a journey through this country comfortable or pleasing. The oM fefm -homes are ill constructed and improperly situated, but the new ones are much improved in point of uniformity; regu- larity, and convenience. The rack rent leases are generally for seven years, and the cove* ftattts confine the quantity of land in actual tillage; the number of crops, the mode of seeding, to spend the produce on the premises, to sell no hay, not to plough the meadow or pasture land, not to relet without consent and for want of assets to repeater. Though [ *& J Thoii°h there are many things in the practices of this district deserving both commendation and imitation, I cannot help observ- ing, that the process of making hay is not among the number. In this respect they are the most egregious slovens I ever beheld. It is no unusual thing to see cocks of about a load each remain in the fields two months after they are made, and before the rivers were lowered and the country drained, these cocks were frequently tarried away by a sudden flood. When conveyed to a large mow, no care is taken either in making or securing it; it is seldom thatched; some indeed make their mows in a conical form, by which means they suffer but little injury, but for the most part they are left flat on the top, and the winter rains soak from the top to the bottom, without shame or regret on the part of the owner. In their summer pastures they are equally slothful ; docks, thistles, nettles, and other weeds cover nearly a quarter of the land, and wafted by winds, the seed is disseminated on the lands of their more careful neighbours. Oftimes have I observed, that where nature is most bountiful, her gifts are least prized. This is the case with the farmers here ; so quick is vegetation even in the winter season, that the cattle (unless it be unusually severe) scarce ever want a a bite of gra?s, and a deficiency of winter provender is scarcely known. I presume it is on the same principle that the Scotch gardeners excel the English ; having more difficulties tA encounter, their exertions and care are proportionate thereto. Before I take my leave of this rich clay soil, it may not be amiss to say something of their orchards, to the production of which this land is peculiarly adapted. Permit me therefore to state, by wav of encouragement to planting, that there is scarcely an orchard in this district that will not let for four or five pounds per acre, and if the trees were plr.nted at proper distances, viz. sixty feet every way, the pasture suffers but little injury ; the strength of the soil enables the trees to throw forth a multitude of roots sideways, near the surface ; it is tlierefore cf the utmost importance that they should be placed at proper distances. In confirmation of this idea, a tree thus placed in an orchard belonging to Mr. Batt, of Mark, has in many years produced four hogsheads of cyder, and the te- nant told me, that he would give for it one guinea per year, for a term of twenty-cne years. The tree is not more than forty years 4: old; [ ^2 ] ©id ; most orchards arc planted too close. The desire of having a great deal of fruit upon a little ground is the cause of so doing ; but the method defeats the purpose. When an orchard is first planted, sixty feet appear an immense distance, and I have known many, who acknowledge the advantage of distance, feel loth to ad- mit so great a vacancy, and have planted at thirty feet, with a full resolution of rooting up every other tree at fifteen or twenty years old; but alas ! this is scarcely practicable ; after a tree is brought to full bearing, an insurmountable reluctance to eradicate it occurs, which arguments, however powerful, cannot overcome. The sorts of apple in best estimation are, Royal Wilding, White Styre, Redstreak, Court of Week Pippin, Pounset or Cadbury, Flood Hatch, Black Pit Grab, Buckland, Mediate or South-ham, Royal Jcrfey, Woodcock, Red Hedge Pip, Old Jersey, and Red- streak. They are grafted on crab stocks in the nursery, with any gross growing fruit. As soon as the ground for the orchard is ready, plant your trees, and be particularly careful not to plant them deep in the ground. After about four years, lop their heads and graft them with the fruit you most esteem, taking care to adapt your grafts to the stock. In other words, let your grafts, and the trees on whose hcad5 ^u graft, be as similar in respect to luxuriancy as you can ; on this a great deal depends. It is found, that a luxuriant gross growing graft will never succeed on a slow growing stock, and so " >vke versa," It may also be observed, that some excellent sorts of fruit are naturally so slow of growth, that a man instead of planting for himself, plants for his grand-children ; and if you en- deavour to force them (which is often injudiciously done) with lux- uriant stocks, you occasion disease. The trees never become large or lasting, and the fruit will be tasteless and insipid. Great care should be taken to secure the trees whilst young, From the nabbing and rubbing of cattle, and more especially sheep, but in this respect the planters in this country are not very atten- tive, nor is there any thing worth notice in their management of the fruit. The average pries of the article is about thirty shillings per hogshead, THE [ **3 ] THE SOUTH MARSH IS bounded on the North East, by Poldcn Hills, on the South West, by the river Parrett, on the North West, by Bridgwater Bay, and on the South East, by Ham Hill, |cc. That part thereof which lies nearest the sea, is higher than the interior part, owing to the great deposit of sea mud left at the high spring tides, for ages past ; and it is also better drained, in consequence of being near the outlet, where the greatest fall of draining exists. (This observation also extends to the lands of Brent Marsh.) The river Parrett is the principal drain of this marsh. It has no barrier, and the tide flows up as far as Langport, filling its banks, and frequently penning the land floods over the moor, and meadows adjoining ; so that near thirty thousand acres of fine land are frequently overflown, for a considerable time together ; ren- dering the herbage unwholsome for the cattle, and the air un- healthy to the inhabitants. An Act of Parliament was lately ob- tained for draining a considerable part of this fenny plain, called King Sedgmoor, which together with the adjoining inclosed mea- dows now flooded, amount to about twenty thousand acres. This desirable end is nearly accomplished, by having the outlet or sluice many miles lower, in the river Parrett, than formerly. No- thing could be more unpopular, at its outset, than this under- taking, and every obstacle, which prejudice and ignorance could suggest, the promoters thereof had to encounter. About the year 1680 King James laid claim to the soil of this moor, and formed the design of improving it by a compleat drain- age ; but so perverse were the owners of the adjacent lordships commoning with their cattle on it, that they opposed the scheme with all their might ; and discerning that they could make no jus- tifiable claim to the soil, offered to assign to the king four thousand acres, in lieu of his right thereto; and to lay out the residue, being nine thousand five hundred and twenty-two acres amongst their lordships ; which being accepted of by the king, there were allotments then made to eaeh manor according to the following- proportions ; 3 Names [ 124 ] Names of Manors. Acres. Duuivear . . To the heirs of Sir Robert Chichester, &c. 346 Staavell . . To Sir John Stawel ....... 274 Sutton Mallet . To John Mallett, Esq 234 Baivdrippe . To Walter Long, Esq 218 Brodney . . To Thomas Muttlebury, Esq. .... 70 Middlezoy . . To R. Warr, Esq. Sir R. Strode, &c. . 567 Moorljnch . . To heirs of Mr. Floyer 354 Highham . . To Henry, Lord Gray 708. Nether-ham . To heirs of Sir Ed. Hext 264 Beere . . . To Sir William Courtney, &c. . . . 229 Ahhcott . . To Sir Thomas Cheeke 526 Horsey . . . To Sir George Horsey 370 Ched-zoy . . To Earl Pembroke 411 Weston . . . To Sir Peter Van Lore, &c 582 Othery . . . To Sir Edward Trent, 8cc. .... 428 Somertoti . . To Thomas Kill, Esq. James Rise Esq. and Burggesses, &c . 1505 Grayntcn . . To the heirs of Mr. Watts ..... 291 Fitteney . . To Earl Northampton, and Sir J. Hanham 569 Compton Dunden To Sir J. Strangway, and Baronet Portman 548 Walton . . . To Sir Thomas Thynne 540 Street ... To Andrew Whittington, &c. * . . . 488 Total acres . . . 9522 Besides for the King 4000 Memorandum. That these allotments were rated proportionably, after the rate of two hundred and eighty-two acres of the moor (by the perch of fifteen feet) to every hundred acres of the severals. In the reign of King William, a similar attempt .was made. An act was obtained for draining it, but by some means or other its operation was entirely frustrated, This projected and useful im- provement lay dormant till the year 1775, when it was revived by Mr, Allen) then member of Parliament for Bridgwater; sanguine of * Dusda!e» of success, and highly impressed with the idea of its importance, he purchased a large number of rights, and having obtained a sig- nature of consents, went to Parliament; but not having interest enough in the House, to stem the torrent of opposition, all his de- lusive prospects of profit vanished, and he found himself left in a small, but respectable minority. Though Mr. Allen met with so warm an opposition, yet there were not wanting many Lords of Manors interested, who exprefled their decided approbation of the measure, in & general point of 'view, but objected to the mode, by which it was conducted, and to the men who were the ostensible movers in the business. After this defeat, nothing was done till the year 1788, when a meeting was held at Wells to take into consideration the propriety of draining the faid moor, and dividing it into parochial allotments. At this meeting Sir Philip Hales pre- sided ; and after much abuse and opposition, from the lower order of commoners, who openly threatened destruction to those who supported such a measure; the meeting was diffolved, without coming to any final determination. The leading idea was however afterwards pursued with great assi- duity by Sir Philip, and his agent Mr. Symes of Stowey ; and by their persevering industry, and good management, matters were brought into such a train, that application was made to Parliament in the session of 1790, for leave to bring in a bill for draining and dividing the said moor into parochial allotments, among thirty parishes and hamlets therein stated ; and also among such other parishes, as may prove a right to feeding the same. In the spring of 1791 this bill passed into a law ; and the commissioners, acting under the powers thereof, held their first meeting at Bridgwater, in June 1791. I have been thus particular in stating the progress of this business, merely to shew the impropriety of calling public meetings, with a view of gaining signatures of consent ; or taking the sense of the proprietors in that way. At all public meetings of this nature which I ever attended, noise and clamor have silenced sound sense and argument. A party generally attends with a professed design to oppose, and truth and propriety have a host of foes u> combat. R Whoever [ 1*6 ] Whoever therefore has an object nf this kind in view, let hirii atquire consents by private application; for I have frequently seen the "-ood effects thereof manifested, by the irresistible influence of truth, when coolly and quietly administered ; and it has frequently happened, that men hostile to your scheme, have, by difpassionate argument, not only changed their sentiment, but become warm partizans in that cause, which at first they meant to oppose. This never could have been done at a public meeting : for after men have once joined the band of opposition, their pride will not permit them to retreat. Hew far the commissioners appointed under this act have dis- charged their trust, time will shew ; but the general opinion of their conduct seems to be flattering ; and those who at first sup- posed that the act carried with it the seeds of its own dissolution, are brought to confess, that the present appearances are promising. It cannot but be supposed, that in the investigation of four thou- sand and sixty-three claims, (of which only one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six are allowed) and in making compensation for a large portion of land, necessarily cut through, in making the great drain, many causes of offence must be given; but I trust neither partiality, negligence, nor corruption, can be imputed to them ; and if they have erred, it has been an error of the head, and not of the heart. Previous to the present drainage, this moor emptied itself into the river Parrett, some miles above Bridgwater, and the fall from the moor was very trifling. Hence it followed, that the least flood covered it with water, and in that state it frequently remained many months. It was at first suggested by many people, whose abilities the county held in high estimation, that nothing more was necessary for the purpose of draining the moor, than the opening and widening these old outlets ; but it occurred to the commis- sioners, that such a partial, and ineffectual mode of procedure, could not produce a radical cure. They therefore set themselves about to discover a convenient place of discharge lower down in the river, by which a greater and more rapid descent might be gained. An old sluice called Dunbald Cl.'ze presented itself as the de- sired spot; and on levels being taken by Mr. White, an eminent surveyor, [ W7 ] surveyor, it appeared that an extraordinary fall of ncirly ten could be accjuircd ; and that the descent from the upper part of the moor to this outlet, (a distance of about twelve miles) wasnin teen feet, or about one foot and a half in a mile. The only ol ji tion which could be brought to the measure, arose from a conside- ration of the great expences, which must be incurred, by cutting through two miles and a half of elevated land. No alternative however presented itself. It appeared that this plan must be adopted, or the work would be incomplete. Justified therefore by the concurrent opinion of Mr. White, and of A;r. Jessop, (whose advice was taken) they proceeded boldly; and ha- ving erected at a great expence, and under numerous difficulties, (arising from the morassy nature of the ground on which it was built) a strong and substantial sluice; they proceeded to make a channel or cut fifteen feet deep, ten feet wide at bottom, and fifty- five feet wide at the top. It is impossible to describe the ridicule which this undertaking- excited. Some thought the commissioners mad; others, and by far the majority, ascribed the boldness of the plan to the liberality of the proprietors, in allowing the commissioners three guineas per day for attendance and management ; and drew this sage conclu- sion, that the work would never be finished, but would be pro- tracted till the expences would equal the value of the moor. Uninfluenced by letters, or by menaces, the commissioners per- severed ; and they have the satisfaction of seeing the principal difficulties overcome ; aud of hearing those very men, who were most violent against the measure, acknowledge their error, and candidly confess that the work is well executed, and promises to be effectual. It may be necessary, by way of instruction to others engaged in schemes of the like nature, to state, that had the drain been made Jess wide at the top (and the opponents insisted that it should have been only twenty-six feet wide) it would have collapsed, or fallen together ; as it was, there were numerous, and alarming slides j the repairing of which cost a considerable sum, and there can be no doubt, but something of this kind, will happen for years to come ; for the substratum at the depth of sixteen feet, is so soft, R a and [ i^8 j and morassy, that it gives way to the superincumbent clay, and rises up in the middle of the drain. This cut from the Dunbald sluice to the moor (a distance of about two miles and a half) cost four-pence per cubic yard, or in the whole about three thousand two hundred pounds ; from thence, the price diminishes in proportion to the depth and width. Expen- sive as this undertaking inevitably must be, yet the benefit result- ing from it, will most amply repay ; for without saying any thing of the injury done to the health of the inhabitants in the cireum- adjacent country, and which this drain, by, rendering the air more salubrious, will totally remove ; we may fairly state, that the probable improved value cannot be estimated at less than four hun- dred and fifty thousand pounds. Though the total amount of expenditure cannot with precision be ascertained ; it may give some satisfaction, if I inform my readers, the probable sum total thereof. The following statement of the account Dr. and Cr. will approach pretty near the truth; but let it be understood, that this calculation is made under the idea of parochial subdivisions, without which little benefit v ill re- sult either to the public, or individuals. The principles which I have in my report on the North East District fixed as data, in- controvertible, viz. That all commons, however rich and fertile the soil, are unproductive of profit, in consequence of overstock- ing, must be here adhered to, and this argument is equally appli- cable to old inclosures. Let a farmer put ten head of cattle into a given piece of ground where ov\\y five should be depastured, and the cattle will be of less worth, after the grass' is consumed, than they were before : Of what value then is the land ? Jvino's [ 129 ] Dr. To Act of Parlia- ment, and all in- cidental expcnces 1628 15 o Interest of money King's Sedgmoor, borrowed . . 3500 0 0 Commissioners . 5000 0 0 Clerk . . ; 1500 0 0. Surveyor . . 800 0 0 Printers . . . 300 0 0 Petty expences . 600 0 0 Land purchased . 2800 0 0 Drains, sluices, Bridges and roads . . . 15000 0 0 Award and inci- dentals . . 871 5 © To which add . 32,000 0 0 For subdividing in each parish 18,000 0 0 To original va- lue of the moor, say ten shillings per acre, at twen- ty-five years purchase . 150,000 0 0 200,000 0 0 Profit . . 300,000 0 0 '. By 12,000 acres, at 30s. per acre, and 25 years purchase . . 450,000 o a By improvement of 4000 acres of ad- jacent land, 10s. per acre . . 50,000 o c £. 500,000 o o N. B. Had the commissioners been empowered to sell land at the commencement of the business, the expenditure would have bean reduced 5000I. by the difference in the interest accompt. This 4 t 130 j This is not the only improvement, for by the addition of such a quantity of rich, and productive grass land, the upland inclosures, and common fields maybe greatly advanced in value. In short, h is difficult to point cut all the benefits likely to accrue from this grand, but arduous undertaking;' beside, though the original value of the moor per acre is stated to be ten shillings, this is done merely with a view to give the arguments against the inclosure the greatest weight ; and perhaps it would have been more just, to have stated its value at five shillings per acre, or even less than that, for a right of stocking could be rented for half a guinea per year. Nor is the improved value at all exaggerated. On the contrary, I am confident it will exceed thirty shillings per acre ; for even in this dry summer, three tons of hay per acre have been cut on xn^ closed lands adjoining, or near the moor, the soil of which lands is in no respect better than that of the moor. Beside King's Sedgmoor, there are other similar tracts of land on the adjacent rivers Tone, and Yeo, on which no improvement has yet been attempted ; namely Normoor, near North Petherton, Stanmoor, Currymoor, West Sedgmoor, &c. near North Curry, West Moor, near Kingsbury, Wet Moor, near Muchelny, amount- ing in the whole to about ten thousand acres, independent of many thousand acres of low flooded inclosed lands, which might be greatly improved by judicious* draining. These lands are for the most part far superior in their quality to King Sedgmoor ; and the example now set before them, will, I trust, remove the mist from the proprietors eyes, and make them see in a true light their own, and the public interest. Since writing the above, I hear to my astonishment, that at a meeting held a few days since at Borough Bridge, for the purpose of taking into consideration the inclosing, and draining of Stan- moor and Currymoor, the same was objected to by the agents of Lady Chatham and Mr. Portman, and by Mr, Brickdale and other proprietors in person. These lands would fairly be worth forty shillings per acre the moment they- were drained and divided ; and if taken from the te- nants, the original estates would not be reduced in their annual value one farthing. But on this subject, I have before enlarged very t »3> '] very fully, and shall therefore only remark to those who are ii> fluenced by a humane regard to the right, and comfort of the cot- tager, that very few habitations of that description are to be fouad near these moors ; and a great part of those which do exist, possess rights, which when divided, may be worth two or three hundred pounds, and if sold, will enable a man to rent an estate of one hundred pounds per annum, and to keep twenty or thirty cows, in the management whereof his whole family would become useful, and habits of industry, care, and oeconomy, would by degrees be established. Adjoining this extensive plain on the south side, lies a tract of elevated land, composed principally of sea sand, and shells ; well adapted to the purposes of tillage, and in its nature so fertile, that potatoes, turnips, carrots, hops, madder, liquorice, and indeed al- most every root, or plant useful in husbandry, might be grown on it in high perfection. The arable is for the most part in common fields, and though exhausted by constant cropping, lets for near thirty shillings per acre. The wheat produced is of prime quality; and as to barley, it is supposed that Ched-zoy, Westonzoyland, Middlezoy, and "Othery, produce the best in the county. Were the common field lands of these parishes divided into separate property, a portion of the new allotments in Sedgmoor annexed ; and the whole comprized in farms of four or five hundred pounds per year, and let to some enlightened sheep and turnip farmers, these parishes might vie with any in the kingdom, both as to the quantity and quality of produce ; but this cannot be effected whilst the lands are held by the present tenure. They are now occupied by small farmers holding under lives, some one life, some two, and- a few three, without any power, or prospect of renewing. It were to be wished, that all Lords of Manors possessing estates leased out on lives, would continue to grant renewals ; and by so doing, I verily think they would promote their own interest; for though it must be acknowledged, that the leasing out a property upon three lives, at the usual price of fourteen or fifteen years pur- chase, is unfavorable to the interest of the grantor, yet I think that when an estate has been so leased out; it is more his interest to renew., L *32 J renew, than to run against the lives; for when compound interest of money, be set against the reversionary income, the latter is soon swallowed up. Great advantages would also result to society from the general adoption of such a measure, for it is well known, that estates falling into hand, are greatly reduced in value, let the re- strictions in the lease be ever so judicious. In confirmation of this idea, do we not see that lands held under the church, under corpo- rations, and under charity endowments, &c. where renewal is cer- tain, are nearly in as good a state as freehold property ; and easily to be distinguished from lands held under private Lords, where such renewal is frequently withheld. Various are the opinions, respecting the comparative advantage attending the purchase of freehold and leasehold property. In favor of the former, the natu- ral, and indeed laudable pride of man steps in, and decidedly de- termines. Most men wish to possess property independent of all controul, and the suits, and services exacted under many leases, are a relict of feudal tyranny, highly disgusting to men, fond of free- dom and independence ; but let us have recourse to figures, and we shall find that two men starting together aviih one thousand four hundred pounds each, and purchasing, the one a freehold estate, of fifty-six pounds per annum, at twenty-five years purchase, and the other a leasehold for three lives, of one hundred pounds per annum, at fourteen years purchase, would be in very different situations at the end of twenty-one years. Calculating the interest of each at five per cent, and allowing three renewals at two years purchase, (clear income) the leaseholders estate of one hundred pounds per annum (nett) would at the expiration of twenty-one years cost him 1205I. 18s. od. and the freeholders estate of fifty-six pounds per annum (nett) would at the expiration of the same term, cost him 3900I. is, od. as the following calculation will confirm. Free- [ *33 1 Freehold, 56/, per Annum, nett, and 25 Yean Purchase, 1400 Add. Interest 70 5 per Cent. 1470 Deduct rent 56 1414 1st Year. Add. Int. . 70 14 1484 14 Deduct rent 56 o 1428 14 2d. Yr. Add. Int. . 71 9 iSoo 3 Deduct rent 56 o M44 3 3<*«Yr. Add. Int. . 724 1516 7 Deduct rent 56 o 1460 7 4th Yr. Add. Int. ; 73 o *533 7 Deduct rent 56 o 1477 7 5^h Yr. Add. Int. . 73 17 1551 4 Deduct rent 56 o 1495 o 6th Yr. Add. Int. . 74 1 5 1569 19 Deduct rent 56 o 1513 19 7th Yr. Brought up 1513 19 7th Yr, Add. Interest 75 14 15s9 *3 Deduct rent 56 o 1533 *3 8th Yr. Add. Int. . 76 14 1610 7 Deduct rent 56 o *554 7 9th Yr» Add. Int. . 77 14 1632 1 Deduct rent 56 o 1576 1 10th Yr. Add. Int. . 78 16 1654 17 Deduct rent 56 o 1598 17 nrhYr. Add. Int. . 79 19 1678 16 Deduct rent 56 o 1622 16 iathYr. Add. Int. . 813 1703 19 Deduct rent 56 o 1647 *9 13t"1 Yr* Add. Int. . 82 8 ^S0 7 Deduct rent 56 o 1674 7 14th Yr. Brought [ '34 } £■ Brought up 1674 7 14th Yr. Add. Int. . 83 14 1758 1 Deduct rent 56 o 1702 1 15th Yr. Add. Int. . 85 2 1787 3 Deduct rent 56 o 1731 3 16th Yr. Add. Int. . 86 11 1817 14 Deduct rent 56 o 1761 14 17th Yr. Add. Int. . 88 2 1849 16 Brought up 1849 *6 Deduct rent 56 o 1793 16 18th Yr. Add. Int. . 89 14 1883 10 Deduct rent 56 o 1827 10 19th Yr, Add. Int. . 91 7 1918 17 Deduct rent 56 o 1862 17 20th Y*. Add. Int. . 93 4 1956 1 Deduct rent 56 o 1900 1 21st Yr. Freeholders purchase of fifty-six pounds per annum, nett, allow- ing five per cent compound interest, stands him at the end of twenty-one years in . . £. 1900 1 o First purchase .... 1400 o o Loss 500 1 o Lk£SE» L '35 ] LEASEHOLD, loo/. f>cr annum, fnettj and 14 Jw« Purchase. 1400 o Add. Interest 70 o 1470 o Deduct rent 100 o Add. Int. 1370 o 1st Yr. 68 10 1438 10 Deduct rent 100 o 1338 10 2d Yr. Add. Int. . 66 19 1405 9 Deduct rent 100 o 13°5 9 3r. £• *• J. CV„ o o to o 8 o 5 o 4 o J5 o o io o o 6 o To rent of land, &c To manure . . To ploughing To hacking . . To harrowing and rol- ling . . . • o To seed and sowing (Riga) ... i To weeding . . . To pulling . . . To hailing to pits and watering. N. B. The price of this depends on the distance . o io o To taking out of pits, hailing, spreading, drying, and housing o 14 O To braking, swing- ling, and dressing 40 dozen, at is, 4d. 2 13 4 To tythe . , . o 5 o Profit 12 04 2 10 o £ 14 10 4 By 40 dozen of flax, at 7s . . 14 By bounty 4d. per stone . . . . o (allowing is. for expences) o 9 10 4 £ »4 10 4 To this profit may be added the succeeding turnip crop, and the improvement of the land by the manure; without these, it cannot be considered as very lucrative, for it is precarious, and if a dry season follow the sowing, it frequently happens that the flax does not get to any height, and is scarcely worth pulling. Some peo- ple may think the expences over rated, but if they consider that the calculation is made under the idea of an acre statute measure, and also that it includes beer, tools, and many other trifling articles of r M9 i of expence, they will be disposed to acknowledge it to be correct, at least I can say, that it is drawn from my own experience of its truth. HEMP. THE culture of Hemp and Flax agrees in many respects ; but in their nature, and form, they are widely different. In flax, the male, and female embrio, are lodged in the same flower ; but in hemp the male is found on some plants, and the female on others ; they are therefore called male, and female hemp ; that which has only flowers is the »«?/?, and that which has seeds the female hemp. The male is ripe five or six weeks before the female, and they both arise from the same seed. It requires a deep rich, dry, sandy loam, and abhors a cold, wet clay; a piece of woodland grubbed up generally answers well, fresh land, good tillage, but no dung : even land exhausted with other crops, if well tilled, will produce good hemp, and if properly ma- naged, will leave the land as clean as a garden. The quantity of seed per acre about three bushels, and time of sowing April or May ; great care must be taken to keep off the birds, for they are very fond of the seed, and their time of feeding, is principally before sun rise, and within half an hour of sun set. compleat weeding is as necessary for hemp, as flax. About the beginning of August the male hemp will be ripe, and great care should be taken that the pullers do not trample, and injure the female hemp left standing. It must be gathered into small bundles, and nothing more is necessary than to dry it in a proper manner, so as to make it fit for working. In managing the female hemp particular regard is to be had to the seed ; care therefore must be taken in drying it. After it is tied up in bundles about the size of a yard round, it should be set up in the sun for three or four days, but if the weather be difficult, it may be stacked in small mows of about a waggon load each, where it may remain till it is thoroughly dry and fit to be housed ; a little wet does not injure the stalk, but it greatly damages the seed. An acre of land will produce from twenty to thirty bushels of seed, and the stalk of the female hemp is more valuable than the stalk of the male. The watering, braking, and dressing of hemp, U is [ A5° ] is so nearly like those operations on flax, that I shall not detain my reader any longer on this article, and shall only add, that in many- cases the crop is more profitable than that of flax. Between Yeovil, and Taunton, including the parishes of Mar- rock) Puckington, Barrington, Kingsbury Episcopi, Lambrook, South Petherton, Ilminster, Hinton St. George, and the adjacent places, lies a tract of strong, loamy land, from sixteen to thirty inches deep, on a substratum of clay ; a more pleasant country can rarely be found. The proprietaries are large, and the estates are mostly held by lives, under the Lords of the fee : there are how- ever many freeholders who possess from one hundred pounds to seven hundred pounds per snnum. The farms are from forty pounds to six hundred pounds per annum, and are composed partly of rich grazing, and dairy land worth from thirty to thirty-five shillings per acre; partly orchards, worth from two pounds to three pounds ten shillings per acre. Sheep walks worth from fifteen to twenty-five shillings per acre ; and the arable from twenty to twenty-five shillings per acre. The rich pasture land is partly grazed with heifers, and partly devoted to the dairy. Few farmers milk their own cows, but they are let to a class of people, scarcely known in other counties, called dairy men. A herd of a good breed will let for six pounds ten shillings per cow ; a certain portion of land is devoted to their summer keeping, and a sufficient quantity of hay is provided by the fanner, for their winter sustenance. This practice of letting dairies, must have originated, either from pride, or vidoletue on the part of the farmer's household, and cught in my opinion, to be checked by the landlord. When the female part of a farmer's family is unemployed (and without a dairy, that must be the case throughout great part of the year) dissipation, folly, and extravagance take the lead, and domes- tic care, and industry are entirely forgotten. Were I a gentleman of fortune, I would never let an estate to a farmer, whose family was too proud, or too indolent, to undertake the management of the different departments thereof. The sheep of this district are an improved sort of the Dorset, and many considerable ewe flocks are kept, to the amount of four to six hundred j [ '5i ] hundred ; they begin lambing about Christmas, and the Iambs are weaned in May. After the lambs are shorn, which is at Midsum- r r, they are worth about fifteen shillings each. The produce of 3n ewe sold at three years and three quarters old may be thus stated : £. s. d. • Tw ■> lambs, at 15s 1 10 o >oth of ewe and lambs .......0126 I ing - 0150 1 e 180 l- 4 5 6 The ewes forward with lamb in October, are sold to the Londo^ k c for th* purpose of house lamb, and sometimes bring thirty- five shillines. thou h folded to the time of sale. Sc ne farmers buy wedder lambs about Midsummer (shorn) at fiitei 1 shillings, and keep them about twenty-two months ; con- sum ly folding them. They are then sold (unshorn) to the graziers qcc ipying the marsh lands, at the price of twenty-seven to thirty- eigoit shillings each. £. s. d. Folding . 100 Wool 040 Average price sold at ,...1126 216 6 Deduct first cost of lamb .,0150 The latter stock requires less care than the former, and at the game time enables the farmer to manure more land; for they may bt folded through the whole winter, on the pasture land. The. number of sheep kept in this district is immense, and fold- ing unremittingly pursued. Clover is the grass generally sown, and their course of husban- dry, ist. Wheat, 2d. Turnips, 3d. Barley,. 4th. Clover, Vetches,, Flax, Hemp, Peas or Beans, and 5th. Wheat again. U 2 The. [ *#* i The crops of the large farmers are greater than those of the small, owing to their sowing more turnips, and vetches, and consequently keeping a larger folding stock. Some of the arable land being in common field is in the following course, ist. Wheat, 2d. Barley, 3d. Clover, Vetches, Potatoes, &c. and then Wheat again. These crops are comparatively small ; wheat is found to succeed better after flax, or hemp {provided they be not seeded) than after potatoes, or beans. Irrigation is not much practised ; there is indeed near the town of Ilminster some land watered with the wash of the town, the good effects of which are manifest. In general it is thought that the water issuing, or washed from poor hills, is of little service ; and they say that watering in the summer, will rot the sheep. Fallowing is not practised ; the prevailing opinion is, that corn crops equally good may be obtained after turnips, clover, potatoes, peas, vetches, beans, hemp, flax, &c. (if well manured and kept clean) with those after a compleat summer fallow. " These are enlightened farmers 1" Let any man visit this country, view their crdps, and the con- dition of the land, and many arguments will not be necessary, to make him an antifaUoivist, at least on soils like these. The large farmers carry all their dung on their pasture land (ex- cellent!) and support their arable by folding, lime, horn shavings, rags, &c. but the small farmers act directly the reverse ; the large farmers all plough with oxen; the small farmers with horses. A renter of sixty pounds per year, must keep three horses, for he can- not plough with less ; and one of five hundred pounds per year will not keep more than eight ; here is a comparative saving -of twenty horses, and justifies my former predilection for large corn farms. The largest uninclosed, upland, common in this district, is the forest of Neroche, containing about eight, or nine hundred acres. The right of stocking on this common, belongs to the parishes of Ilminster, White Lackington, Donyat, Broadway, and others ; and in regard to quantity, is unlimited. For want of proper draining, this common rots the sheep, and is of very little value. If inclosed, drained, and cultivated, it might be made worth from twelve to Swenty-five shillings per acre. The t 153 ] The land in open field, is for the most part in small pieces of one, two, and three acres each ; were proper exchanges made, and the same divided into pieces of ten or twelve acres, it would be advanced in value eight or ten shillings per acre. This country is very populous, and the wages low, notwith* Standing there are many considerable manufactures. Men's daily labor in winter is is. per day, with cyder. Do. . . summer is is. /[d. , Do. Women's Do. . . winter . . 6d. . Do. Do. . . summer . 8d. . Do. Mowing grass, is. 4d. per acre, and one gallon of cyder, barley, is. . . Do. . . . Do. Reaping wheat, 4s. . . Do. two gallons and a half of cyder, And all other labor proportionably cheap. Great attention is paid to draining by all the sheep farmers. The common drains are sixteen inches wide, from twenty to thirty deep, and are for the most part turf drains \ when the turf is strong, they are found very durable. Paring and burning are universally reprobated. There is plenty of wood in the hedges, and on the pollard trees, but very few timber, or coppice woods ; and yet the country at a distance looks like one continued grove ; owing to the numerous orchards, every where dispersed. The cyder made in the neigh- bourhood (particularly in the parish of Martock, which perhaps is one of the largest parishes in the kingdom) is not only excellent in quality ; but in quantity, beyond calculation ; from hence the north- em part of the county, less abundant in this article, is supplied, and coal taken back in return. There are considerable manufactures of narrow cloth from four to seven shillings per yard, the quality of which, both for appear- ance, and duration, is not equalled in the kingdom. In these, great numbers of men, women, and children, are employed, but the country being very populous, there is no want of hands in agri- culture. There are also many manufactures of coarse linen, such as dow- las, tick, &c. also of gloves, girt web, &c. all of which give ani- mation, wealth, and comfort to the inhabitants of this rich, and delightful region. 4 Oo [ 154 ] On the whole, the practices of this district deserve imitation ; they keep their grass land in high condition, and their arable looks like a garden. They are particularly attentive to the eradication of weeds, and their turnip, and indeed all their fallow crops, may vie with any in the kingdom. Lately some of the Leicester sheep have been brought into this neighbourhood, by Mr. Pester near Yeovil, and by Mr. Lowman near Crewkerne. The carcases of some have been sold in Crew- kerne market, and were remarkably fat, and highly esteemed for their delicious flavor ; but with all these good qualities, if they cannot walk a mile to the fold, they never will gain much ground in this country. Passing from Crewkerne to the southward, you enter one of those excavations, or large vales, for which this county is remark- able ; comprizing the villages and hamlets of Clapton, Seaborough, Wayford, Woolmingston, Purtington, Cricket-Thomas, Winsham, &c. Within this vale, commences a district of twenty miles square, (one half in Somerset and the other in Dorset) which ought to be noted for supplying the summer markets at Exeter with weanling calves. These calves drop in February, and March, are suckled by their dams for three weeks; when they are housed, and suckled by hand with warm skimmed milk until the month of May ; at which time they are sold to the drovers, for the market beforemen- tioned. At Exeter they are bought by the Devonshire farmers, and depastured for three or four years, when they are disposed of to the Somerset graziers, who fatten them for the London market : thus we see that part of what is called the Devonshire breed of cattle is the produce of a small district of the counties of Somerset and Dorset ; a breed which will probably, ere long, be generally acknowledged to be equal to any other in the kingdom. The dairy at Ayshcombe farm, within the parish of Vvrayford, is a good specimen of the Devonshire breed *, * Mr. White also of Ilchester has given notice to the Agricultural Society at Bath, that he intends to exhibit, for the premium offered by that Society, a young bull of his own breeding, together with the sire and dam of the Devonshire race; and a!l breeders of horned cattle, are challenged by him, to produce, at the said exhibition, any three of equal value for stock. The [ *55 ] The arable lands of the parishes of Wayford, Winsham, &c. are troublesome in tillage, and but moderately productive. The district here mentioned, is justly famous for its rich butter which is highly admired in the London market, under the denomi- nation of Dorsetshire butter; as well as for its sweet, veined skimmed-milk cheese (scarcely an oleagenous particle in it) with which Honiton market, and from thence Exeter, and the greatest part of Devonshire is supplied. SOUTH t 156 ] SOUTH WEST DISTRICT. THE agricultural practices of this division of the county merit the attention of a'll travellers. The climate, particularly of that part which is called the Vale of Tavnton Diane, is peculiarly mild and serene ; and the soil highly fertile and productive. The eye is agreeably relieved by a judicious mixture of arable, and pasture; and if it be contrasted with some parts of the Northern District, it may emphatically be called the Land of Canaan. There are however certain parts north west of the said vale which are mountainous, and subject to that mutability of weather, and moisture of air, generally found on elevated situations. Quantock, Brandon, and Dunkry Hills, may be noted for their wild, and rugged scenery ; and the part which is called Dunkry Beacon, is the highest land in the whole county. This district may be subdivided into two lesser districts, in- cluding 1st. the parishes of Taunton, Wilton, Trull, Pitminster, Bishopshull, Bradford, Buckland, Ninehead, Wellington, Samp- ford, Hill-farrence, Oake, Staplegrove, Norton, Cheddon, Thur- loxton, North Petherton, Monkton, Kingston, Cothelston, Bishop's Lidiard, Heathfield, Halse, Ashpriors, Fitzhead, Milvertou, Langford, Budville, Thome, Bathielton, and Runnington. These parishes comprehend what is generally called the Vale of ^Taunton Dean. SOIL. The soil is a rich loam, interspersed in some places with clay, as part of Bradfield, Buckland, north side of Wellington, part of Sampford, Hill-farrence, Ninehead, Oak and Heathfield ; and in other parts with sand, or a lighter mouldy as Kingston, Bishop'^ Lidiard, Halse, Fitzhead, Milverton, Langford, Thome, and Runnington. These hundreds, together with that of North Curry, are princi- pally held under the churches of Winchester and Wells, and the lands are chiefly possessed by small proprietors. The L >57 J The major part of the five hundreds of Taunton Dean, consists of customary lands of inheritance, held under the Lord Bishop of Winchester, paying an annual rent. These customary lands pass by surrender, paying to the Lord,, fines and heriots, on alienations; there are also many singular customs, within the manor, difficult to be understood, even by the tenants themselves. The descent is that of Borough English, with variations. The wife is heir to her husband ; and it is no uncommon thing, for a widow on the death of her husband, having children by him, to marry again, and carry the estate into her second family, to the disinheritance of her first. If the fine.;, heriots, and other incidental incomes within the manor, were commuted with the Lord, for an increase of the annual high rents ; the lands enfranchised by Act of Parliament, and to pass in descent as other lands of inheritance by common law; the income to the bishoprick would be more certain, and the present inconveniencies avoided. In course of time, the proprietors would enlarge their possessions, and the manor would be brought into farms of sufficient extent for the employment of a team ; which is not the case at present. The dry uplands are devoted to tillage, and the rich lowlands to grazing or dairy. On the former wheat, beans, peas, and vetches are the principal crops; and those lands which are capable of im- provement by watering, (of which there is a considerable propor- tion) are so min iged, as to produce excellent spring feed for ewes and lambs, together with abundant crops both of hay and after grass, but the water being frequently scarce, the water-courses are a per- petual source of litigatioi . There are very few estates entirely in pasture. Every little far- mer is fond of the plough ; but in most of these small farms, where there is not sufficient employment for a team, the occupiers situa- tion is not better than that of a day laborer. Much of the ir*ble land will spontaneously produce a variety of excellent sorts of grass, and shortly become good pasture, if laid down in an i. us Sandlike manner. The artificial grasses here sown are broad and white clover, trefoil and ray grass, called here ever- grass. Many farmers think the latter impoverishes the soil; but they subacute no other perennial in its stead, X The [ 158 ] T he stock is principally neat cattle and sheep ; the former of the North Devon, the latter of the Dorset breed, both excellent of their kind. Many graziers prefer the oxen bred in this district, to those of Barnstable, South Molton, Torrington, &c, and the sheep are considered as equally profitable with the Leicestershire breed which have been introduced, but do not gain ground. The dairy farmers are accustomed to take in sheep to keep du- ring the winter, (viz.) from the beginning of October and Novem- ber, to the 5th of April ; the usual prices are for hog sheep five shilKngs, and for ewes seven or eight shillings per head. The Dorsetshire flocks are greatly improved by this custom, and the price of keeping is on the advance. Rotation of crops. On the clayey loam, 1st. Fallow manured with ten cart load of dung, and sixty or eighty bushels of lime per acre, mixed with the earth of the headlands. 2d. Wheat 5th. Clover 1. Deans 6th. Clover 4th. Barley 7th- Wheat The Grub has of late years so attacked the wheat sown on the clover lays, that this practice is in some measure discontinued. In the foregoing rotation, the crops are good; seldom less than twenty-five or thirty bushels of wheat, and the same quantity of beans. The* beans are planted promifcuously, after the Tate of five bushels of seed to an acre ; and after beans they sometimes sow the winter vetch ; feed it twice in the spring, and prepare the land for wheat. In no county are the farmers more attentive to the mode of sow- ing wheat, or laying up their lands in such form, as to secure them from injury by winter rains; and the quality of the grain is such, as to induce the farmers of Sussex, Hants, and Berks, to purchase, it for seed at Weyhill Fair, at a great price ; seldom less than ten shillings and six-pence per bushel. An implement- called a mattock is much used here, and is pecu- liar, I believe, to the West of England; it is of great service in sowing wheat and peas on clay lands ; the ridges consist of six fur- rows, with a furrow left unploughed between each ridge, which is called a comb. The labourers with a mattock chop the furrows abroad, [ 159 3 abroad, and bring part of r!ic earth against the comb ; the seed is then sown and harrowed with two horr.es abreast, each* horse going on the comb; they then (with a plough called a combing plough) divide it; the plough being conftructed to throw one halt' of it as a furrow to tlie right, and the other to the left; the laborers then go over the ridges a second time with their mattocks, and strike those furrows towards the middle of the ridges, winch effectually covers what •. ain the harrows may have left uncovered, and leaves the ridges in the shape of a neat asparagus bed. This method is very well calculated for clayey and wet lands3 where it would be dangerous for the cattle to trample on the ground. An acre a day is the usual quantity ploughed. On light loam the following rotation is practised. ist. Wheat. 2d. Peas. 3d. Barley. 4th. Winter Vetches, which produce a good feed by the latter end of March, or begin- ning of April, and are fed a second time, at the latter end of May; the land is then ploughed once, and sown with turnips, which are hoed and consumed befoie Christmas ; and 5th. Wheat again. A better system is adopted by some, vtis. substituting barley as the fifth crop on which clover is sown. The clover is well ma- nured the ensuing winter, spring fed, and cut in the autumn for seed; after which wheat is sown on one ploughing as the seventh crop. In the parish of Bishop's Lidiard they frequently plough their wheat stubble soon after harvest, give it a good dressing of rotten donoc, and let it lie in ridges during the winter. In the month of February or March they sow carrots, which are fit to be dug up the latter end of July ; they then sow turnips or plant cabbages, and after those sow barley and grass seeds. On rich sandy loam this husbandry cannot be too much extolled. It is not the general practice within these hundreds to give the arable land a compleat fallow. They more frequently introduce what they call a pin fallow, which is ploughing after vetches, clover, or beans, two or three times, to prepare for a succeeding crop of wheat. In this way they put on a good dressing of rottea dung before the last ploughing. X 2 On I mi On some of their land they have fallows, and wheat alternately, manuring with lime. A mixture of the earth of the headlands with lime and rotten dung, is the general manure for the ploughed lands, and soapers ashes and rotten dung alone for the pasture. The method commonly adopted for mixing the earth, lime, and dung together, is to carry the dung and spread it on the headlands, or on heaps of earth collected on different parts of the field, and then put the unslaked lime on the dung, covering it up with earth till it is slaked, and fit for mixing ; but as the lime is by this me- thod dissolved upon the dung, the richest part of the manure is consumed by the lime, or carried off in vapour. The ploughs, drags, harrows, rollers, waggons, and carts now used, are much the same as they have been for sixty years past. Of late indeed the double furrow plough has been introduced, and seems to gain ground ; . all who have tried it, acknowledge its su- periority for light soils, and for ploughing the barley or turnip land. Oxen are principally used, and are for the most part worked in yokes ; some however are advocates for working singly in harness, and there can be no doubt but oxen may be used more to advantage this way, than the other. The shape of an ox's breast is peculiarly ill calculated to bear the pressure of the bow, and when worked hard in pairs, they are apt to get into a habit of leaning against each other; by which thsir progressive motion is much impeded. But of all methods, that which is practised in Portugal, Flanders, some part of Ireland, and other countries, namely working them by the head and horn, is, in my opinion, the best. I once saw on the farm of Lord Shannon, near Cork in Ireland, three ploughs at work on a strong soil, drawn each by a pair of oxen abreast, in a manner similar to the application of horses in Norfolk. The harness consisted of a long rein of untanned leather which was fixed to the yoke, and then intersected the horns two or three times ; after which it passed from the back of the horn over the forehead ; to prevent the bruising of which, a matting was placed of sufficient thickness, to secure it from injury. In this way the animals pi$hsd} rather than drew, and with apparent ease ploughed [ i6i 1 ploughed an acre a day each without a driver, turning at land end, with as much docility, as horses. His Lordship informed me, that two moderate sized oxen, had some time before, drawn horns from the corn field, (a distance of two miles) in a French skeleton cart, as many sheaves of wheat, as weighed upwards of three ton, and with no apparent extraordinary exertion. Drilling has been tried in this part of the county, particularly by two farmers of Halse, and by Mr. Anderdon of Henlade. On light poor soils, it has been found to answer, but in rich strong loams, the corn has proved too rank. Mr. Anderdon has drilled all his corn for twenty years past. At first he formed an experimental field of four acres, divided into se- veral equal parts, where he tried drilling various crops, in compa- rison with sowing them broadcast, and finding his drilled and horsehoed crops of beans, wheat, peas, turnips, Sec. sufficiently en- couraging to proceed to acres, he has continued the practice ever since ; by which means he has certainly improved his land, and eradicated weeds. He at first used Willey's drill plough for sowing double rows, which is to be seen in the repository of the Society of Arts in London. With this, he drilled two rows, about a foot asunder, on five feet ridges, leaving intervals of four feet for horse hoeing. Since, he has drilled single rows en ridges of three feet, by which means he keeps his ground cleaner, and has a produce equally good with the double rows. Of wheat, he generally reaps from fifteen to twenty-four bushels per acre, which is about the average of the wheat crops of his parish sown in the broadcafi way. In the year 1791 he reaped from one field twenty-nine bushels per acre. The field was drilled in single rows, three feet asunder; this may be called the Tullean method of drilling, and was prac- tised many years ago by that enlightened agriculturist JethroTull. The prevailing method of the present day, is to drill at intervals of six, nine, or twelve inches. Though the practice of drilling com has been highly extolled by some, and astonishing instances of produce recorded, yet the writer of this report cannot find that it gains ground in the county of Somerset, If the advantages refult- ir»xr [ 162 ] ing from the practice were so great, as they are represented, surely practical farmers would adopt it. The saving of seed, would alone be a sufficient inducement, and in a national point of view would be worthy the attention, and encouragement of the legislature. Experience; that best guide in all agricultural pursuits, has shewn that there are substantial objections to the practice, and they may be comprised under the following heads : ist. The difficulty in getting compleat drilling and hoeing ma- chines, and laborers skilful enough to conduct the process. 2d. The danger of having too thin a crop, whereby it is rendered more subject to rust, blight, mildew, and the effect of wind, than thick broad cast crops. 3d. Rankness in the straw, subjecting it to drop before the grain is perfected. 4th. Lateness, and irregularity in ripening. Let us now state the advantages : 1st. Saving of seed. 2d. Strength and vigor communicated to the land by well-timed hoeings. 3d. Destruction of weeds. How far these advantages counterbalance the disadvantages, I shall not take upon me to determine. I can only say, that my trials (and they have been repeatedly made on a large scale) have been uniformly unfortunate. In dry seasons, the drilled corn, par- ticularly barley, has been not only late, but uneven ripe, and this is an unsurmountable obstacle to the sale of it, for the purposes of malting ; and in wet seasons the growth of straw has been so en- couraged by the hoeing, that it has dropped before harvest, and the grain has been but of little value. Last year I divided a ten acre piece, and drilled part with white Poland oats in equidistant rows of one foot, after the rate of one bushel and a half, and some part after the rate of two bushels and a half per acre. This was done the beginning of April ; three weeks after I sowed broadcast, the remainder of the field, with the same sort of seed, after the rate of six bushels per acre. Though sown last, the broadcast was ripe a fortnight before the drilled. The grain was of better quality, regularly ripe, and the produce ten bushels p^r acre more* 3 [ 163 ] more. The drilled crop, sown thick, was better than the other. Were I to renew my practice of drilling, I would (particularly in spring crops,) deposit nearly double the quantity of seed recom- mended by the advocates for drilling, and at least a month before the usual time of sowing broadcast. For beans, peas, vetches, turnips, potatoes, carrots, and all gross growing plants, and roots, drillling cannot have a more warm ad- vocate than myself; and with respect to wheat crops on light sandy soils -that are subject to weeds, the operation of hoeing which ne- cessarily follows that of drilling, may frequently be of essential service not only to the wheat crop, but to the succeeding ones ; but with respect to corn in general, and particularly barley, and oats, I must for the present demur, at least, till I have seen better proofs in favor of the drill system. Perhaps indeed, the ill success which I have experienced, and particularly the late ripening already men- tioned, might have been owing in some measure to the system of saving seed being carried to too great an excess. I cannot dismiss this subject without paying a just tribute of ap- probation to that ingenious mechanic and enlightened agriculturist, the Rev. J. Cooke, whose drill machine, and horse hoe, are well adapted to the purposes for which they are designed. Though we cannot accord on the subject of the drill husbandry, I must give my unqualified assent to his general principles respecting the prepa- ration of land for arable crops ; and I verily think, that his instru- ments called the shiffer, and fcarifier, are the best contrivances I ever beheld, both for the pulverization of the soil, and the destruc- tion of weeds. The usual seed time for wheat is November, but it is frequently- sown after turnips, so late as January or February, notwithstanding which the crop is ripe, and harvested in a favorable season, by the. middle of August. Colored peas are planted about Candlemas, white peas at Lady Day, horse beans from Candlemas to Lady Day ; oats arc sown in March, barley in April and the beginning of May ; peas are harvested rather before wheat, barley at the end of August, oats and beans in September, Of wheat they generally sow two bushels, peas four bushels, beans five bushels, planted by women with dibbles or setting sticks promis- [ '64 ] promiscuously all over the land, and the crop is seldom weeded ; oats five bushels, barley three bushels and a half. Of late a few farmers have drilled their beans in rows twenty inches asunder, horse hoeing them ; others thirteen or fourteen inches asunder, hand hoeing the alley, at the expence of four shil- lings per acre ; in both these ways, they have deposited nearly the same quantity of seed, as in the promiscuous planting, especi- ally in the closer rows. The produce has been uniformly superior to those planted in the old method, and the land kept cleaner for ensuing crops. The common fields in this district are so few, and the uninclosed wastes (a portion of Blackdown and Pickeridge hill excepted) so insignificant, that little improvement can be made in that wav. There arc a few low common meadows, where frequently the hay crop (provincially t( the tonsure") belongs to one man, and the after grass to another, by which means such lands are totally neg- lected, being neither drained, nor manured. The waste lands on that part of Blackdown which lie within this county, are supposed to exceed a thousand acres ; they are so situated on the declivity of the hill, that floats might easily be made to convey the water, issuing from the springs, over the land. And if the water should not be found to fertilize, it would not be difficult, or expensive, to convert these floats into drains, and thereby render the ground more dry, and healthy. The occupiers of estates contiguous to these hills, stock them with young cattle in the summer months, but the distant tenants reap little or no benefit. The price of labor throughout the whole district is nearly the same, (viz.) Men through the year one shilling per day, and beer ; women for weeding and common work, six-pence per day ; and for mattocking the wheat and hay- making, eight-pence per day; but contract labor is gaining ground daily* and in this way mei\ will earn four-pence or six-pence per day more than at day woik. Excepting some peat turf on Blackdown, there is scarce any fenny land to be met with. On soils any way inclined to a weep- ing surface, great attentioa is paid to draining, which is done by digging 4 [ 165 ] digging the drains deep, filling part of them with clean picked stones, and covering with earth to the depth of six or eight inches. Where stones are scarce, shoulder trenching is practised, but these are liable to be filled up with the workings of the mole, unless water constantly runs in them *. All tenants are restricted in their leases from paring and burning, and the practice is scarcely known. This division does not abound with oak, but elm grows in the hedges, and if their heads are not unfairly lopt, get to a size suffi- ciently large for the keels of ships of war. For the most part they grow from the inchors or suckers of the neighbouring trees ; pro- bably some from seed. Few are planted from nurseries, nor is there often any occasion for it, elm being the spontaneous produc- tion of the country. Their heads or side branches are seldom mutilated, it being un- derftood that the stem swells, in proportion to the sap that is drawn from the root to the head. PROVISIONS. The price of provisions is comparatively moderate. In Taunton the best beef, mutton, veal, and lamb, may be had by agreement with the butchers, at four-pence per pound the winter, and three- pence halfpenny the summer half year; turkey, three shillings and six-pence; goose, three shillings; ducks, two shillings and sixpence a couple, and fowls, two shillings ; fish, at certain times, very cheap. * The great skill of draining land consists in cutting off the water at its source. One deep drain judiciously placed, will frequently preclude the necessity of any other; in most instances such a drain should be near that part of the declivity from which the springs issue. This depends on the position of the clayey sub- stratum, and on the height of the reservoir from whence the springs are fed. A judicious survey of the adjacent land, and a liberal use of the borer are necessary ; preliminaries to a cheap and effectual remedy for wet land, and there are few men in the kingdom possessed of equal skill in this department of agriculture with Mr. Elkington of Warwickshire, whose fame is not confined to the county in which he lives, but is known and acknowledged in many parts of the kingdom. Y LEASES, [ 166 ] LEASES. By the custom of the manor of Taunton Dean, the tenant is not, without a licence from the Lord, to let his customary lands for more than a year and a day ; but to encourage good husbandry, it has been usual of late years to grant rack rent leases for seven, four- teen, or twenty-one years. The tenant covenants with the landlord, not to sow rape, hemp, or flax; these crops being considered as great exhausters, making no return in manure. It has also been common to allow the tenant church and poor rates, but it is to be doubted whether the poor are in this case better provided for, although the rates for their maintenance increase ; for the occupiers, when no ways interested, are apt to be remiss in looking into the poors concerns. Of late years this burthen has been thrown on the tenant, by way of raising his rent. At the commencement of the term, it is usual for the landlord to put the premises in compleat repair ; after that, the tenant finds reed, spars, and carriage of materials during the term, and the landlord timber, stones, and lime. The handicraftsmen are paid between them. In this way the landlord and tenant being mutually interested, the expence of repairs is lessened, and the buildings are kept in better order. The tenant also covenants to take care of sapling and timber trees, and to carry one hundred and twenty horse seams (about twelve cart load) of dung, or fifteen hogsheads of lime, or a pro- portion of both mixed with earth on every acre of land, converted to arable, and to take but three crops of corn, before the same quantity be renewed. He also covenants never to sow two crops of wheat in succession, nor to convert to tillage any maiden or old pasture without leave, under the penalty of five pounds an acre per annum for the remainder of the term. MANUFAC [ i€7 I MANUFACTURES. About a century aga the woollen manufactories in the town of Taunton were in a very flourishing condition, and of course some of its benefits devolved to the agriculturist ; but of late years the warmth of party at the elections of their representatives in Parlia- ment has ran so high, that it has not subsided from one election to another ; by which means manufactures declined, and have been removed to Wellington and other places. So that it may fairly be inferred, that if the right of election to members in Parliament has been injurious to any borough in the kingdom, it has been so to this. There are, however, some hopes that trade may revive here, as the carding and spinning machinery have been lately introduced with considerable spirit, and perseverance. Some gentlemen in this town have lately formed a connection with the patentees pos- sessing the secret of making cloth without either spinning, or weav- ing ; and it must be acknowledged, that the samples they have ex- hibited, give flattering prospects of success. Though the trade of Taunton has declined, yet considerable manufactories are carried on at Wellington, Wiveliscombe, and other places ; and many thousand hands are employed therein. Before I quit this rich, and delightful vale, I must not pass by unnoticed, their orchards, from which cyder is made in the highest perfection. There are many gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Taunton, who sell their best cyder for five or six pounds per hogs- head ; and it is supposed that they possess an art, peculiar to them- selves, of conducting the fermentation, and thereby preserving a rich, and delicious flavor. The best fruit delights in a strong clayey soil, and it is common to mix a certain quantity of bitter apples, which add much to its quality for keeping; but unless great attention be observed in making, the labor is in vain; for cyder requires much greater nicety of management, than malt li- quors. The apples are suffered to fall off the trees, or when tho- Y 2 roughly [ m ] roughly ripe, are picked with great care*. They are then put in heaps to ferment, and remain in that state for three or four weeks ; after they are ground, and the liquor is expressed, it is suffered to remain in tubs, from thirty to forty hours, when a scum, or froth, will rise on the top ; this they narrowly watch, and when it breaks, they rack for the first time into vessels; after which unremitting attention is necessary to prevent excessive fermeuiation by early and frequent rackings. Where the natural soil is not good of itself, such manure should be mixed with it as best suits its temper. If the soil be a cold heavy clay, horse dung, coal, and soapers ashes, will bring it to a due temperament. It it be light and hollow, marl, or mud from ponds and rivers, highway dirt mixed with lime, cow dung, &c. will mellow and in- rich it, and if the spade be occasionally employed to dig around, without wounding the roots, a fruit tree may be made to bear more abundantly, and to produce richer fruit. Improvement of the heads is also of as much consequence as of the roots ; and this should be particularly attended to in the early growth of apple trees. This is reckoned a very material part of tree husbanding, for according as the head of the tree is first trained, so it will grow in a form more or less regular. Even in old orchards, judicious pruning has frequently made unfruitful trees, bear in great abundance. The second division of this district, includes the parishes of Combflory, Bagborough, Stowey, Stocourcy, Crowcombe, Sto- gumber, Williton, Watcher, Dunster, Minehead, Porlock, Tim- berscomb, Cutcomb, Withy Pool, Winsford, Dulverton, Wivelis- comb, &c. &c. together with the forest of Exmoor. The soil of some part of this district is but little inferior to that of the former, but the hills, and forests, are for the most part left * I would here particularly caution all farmers possessing orchards, not to fall in with the usual custom of beating down the apples with sticks. Early in the autumn the buds for the succeeding year are formed, and being Under, are soon destroyed. To this violent attack on the branches, iray ift 9 great degree be attributed the incapacity of trees to bear fruit two years fol- lowing. in E ««r ] in a state of nature. The corn land is in general good, and the watered meadows in the parishes of Crowcombe, Stogumber, Monk- silver, Nettleeomb, Dinniford, Dunstcr, Dulverton, &c. are as good as any in the county. If we appreciate land by its capacity to keep stock throughout the year, watered meadows are invalu- able, and it is to be hoped that the different reports, which will no doubt be sent to the Board of their importance, will induce a general application of water, wherever it be of good quality, and there is a possibility of conveying it. A great part of these wa- tered meadows lie on steep declivities, and as the water passes quickly over them, and never lies stagnant, not a rush can be seen ; this is not always the case in low water meadows, which for want of proper draining are much incommoded by them. Meadows which lie in a low situation and nearly on a level, should be thrown up into convex beds about thirty or forty feet wide, along the ridges of which the water should be conveyed, flowing regularly at the different outlets, and having a .free passage in the trenches lying between the beds. The expence of doing this seldom exceeds six or seven pounds per acre, and the benefit is frequently twenty or thirty shillings per acre per annum. Excepting those instances where water passes through a town, or after sudden floods carries with it rich particles of vegetative matter, the lands receiving it near the spring head, are supposed to be the most benefited, and the quicker it is made to pass over the land, and the greater the impetus given by a large quantity thrown at once, the quicker, and more powerful are the effects. The first watering commences in November, and is continued with regular intermissions from that time to February. These meadows are frequently, in this temperate climate, fit to receive ewes and lambs, as early as Candlemas, and a constant and regular succession of food from that time to the beginning of May, enables the farmer to view his flock wilh the utmost complacency,, and to look with pity on his neighbours, destitute of such a resource in these trying months. At the beginning of May, the land is unstocked and watered ; after six or seven weeks they mow from thirty cwt. to forty cwt. per acre. • Estimate [ 17° J Estimate of the 'value of such land. Spring feed from Candlemas to May-day 35 Cwt. of hay per acre, at 30s. per ton After grass to November ..... L- 1, 4 4 1 5 0 . 2 12 6 1 1 0 4 18 6 Considering it as connected with a large sheep and corn farm,, all estimates must be below its real value ; for it is well known, that according to the probable plenty, or scarcity of food in the months of February, March, and April, does a farmer apportion his stock for the whole year. Should turnips fail, his only re- source is the hay mow ; his ewes suffer, his lambs become stunted and of little value. His meadow ground devoted to the scythe is spring fed, whereby he surfers a diminution of ten hundred of hay per acre. These are but a few of the many evils attendant on a deficiency of food in the months beforementioned, and must raise the importance of water meadow in the eyes of all discerning hus- bandmen ; beside, these lands require no dressing, but will preserve an undiminishing vegetation from year to year, and will enable the farmer by means of the sheepfold, to enrich his other lands without injury to these *. As the different modes of irrigation have been long before the public in a treatise published by Mr. Boswel, of Piddletown in Dorsetshire, and by other writers in different parts of the kingdom, I shall not further enlarge upon this subject, than merely to caution * On the demesne of J. F. Luttrell, Esq. of Dunster Castle, a large tract of land in a convertible course of tillage is manured with water. The usual rotation of crops, is 1st. Wheat on the ley. 2d. Turnips. 3d. Barley and artificial grasses. It is then suffered to remain in pasture two years, and during that time it is st stated intervals regularly flooded by a stream descending from the adjacent hills. The course is then renewed, and this has been the constant practice for many years. The produce has been in general very considerable, (viz.) of wh«at furry or fifty bushels, and of barley fifty and sixty bushels per acre, 2 ihe [ «# ] the farmer, unexperienced in this branch of improvement, not to feed with sheep in the autumn ; for, though it may he done with the utmost safety in the spring, it is frequently fatal in the autumncd months. The farms in this division are rather less than in the last, biyt the husbandry is much the same, only there is more land in tillage. The mountainous lands are uncultivated, and are depastured with sheep and young bullocks. In the vicinity of these uncultivated hills, viz. at Bicknoller, Elworthy, Brompton Rolph, and Old Cleeve, oats are the princi- pal corn crop, barley and wheat are grown but on a small scale. The rotation of crops varies from that of Taunton Dean. Here wheat is generally sown on the ley, and none but very stiff land is fallowed. Turnips are much cultivated, but they are very lavish in the consumption, giving too large a space of ground to the sheep at a time, making thereby great waste. There are many coppices (chiefly of Oak underwood) on the de- clivities of Quantock and other hills, but they are under no system of management. Their value, at present, of twenty years growth is from four to ten pounds per acre. Many considerable manufactories of different kinds of woollen goods are carried on with great success, and afford employment to the inhabitants in every stage of life, but they are accompanied with a gradual increase of the poors rates. FENCES. The beech hedges, around Dulverton, Dunster, &c. are not •nly beautiful to the eye, and an excellent fence and shelter, but are a source of annual profit to the proprietor. The banks on which they are planted, are six or seven feet high, and between four and five feet wide at the top ; the mouldering of the sides is frequently prevented by a dry stone wall, four feet high. There is no ditch, and the hedge consists of three rows of beech, planted on the top of the bank, at about one foot distance. Their growth is very rapid, and they seem to defy the destructive quali- ties of the sea breeze, so fatal to the white thorn and most other plants j [ J72 J plants; when at maturity the middle row is cut to the ground, and the outside rows plashed. The quantity of fuel supplied by these hedges is very considerable, and the only objection that can be made to them is, that the earth used in the construction of the banks is so considerable a quantity, that a large portion of the field is robbed of its vegetable matter, and rendered for some years unproductive. RHUBARB. At Williton near Watchet, the Turkey rhubarb has been culti- vated, and brought to great perfection by Mr. Ball, surgeon, of that place. His management of this root having been particularly described in the annual publication of the Society of Arts, &c. I shall not notice it here, and shall only add, that equal attention and success have attended the exertions of James Bernard, Esq. of Crowcombe in the same article, though in a different climate and soil. It cannot be totally foreign to our purpose to mention the her- ring fishery of Porlock, Minehead, and Watchet, which for some years past has been carried on to some considerable extent. The lower classes of people have, in consequence, obtained a cheap and wholsome food, particularly since the legislature has taken off the duty on salt, used, in curing these fish, for home co?t- sumplion. It were to be wished that this fishery could be further promoted and encouraged, as it would be a means of furnishing employ du- ring the winter, for those sailors who are engaged in the lime stone, and culm trade, during the summer months. Their frequent journies across the Channel, make them excel- lent pilots, and a hardy and skilful race of sailors would occasion- ally recruit that grand bulwark of the nation, the Royal Navy. In an agricultural survey of the county of Somerset, it will na- turally be expected that particular notice should be taken of the forest of Exmoorj its vast extent, and capability of improvement; render it an object well worthy of attention. This E '73 J This forest extends from north to south about eight miles, ana from east to west ten or twelve ; containing, according to an ac- curate survey lately made, about nineteen thousand nine hundred acres. Nearly at the centre of this large tract of land, is an estate called Simonsbatb, inclosed, and consisting of about two hundred acres, with a dwelling house, licenced and frequented as an inn ; and all offices belonging to it convenient for the management of the farm, and transacting the concerns of the forest. Here the forester has an annual sale for the small horses that are bred on the surrounding hills; and here also during the month of May, he meets the farmers from all the country round, who enter in his books the number of sheep which are depastured with him, at the rate of live pence per head. The small horses (in the whole up- wards of four hundred) are not taken into better keeping, nor to more sheltered grounds, during the severest winter. When the snow covers the forest to the depth of many feet, these hardy ani- mals are seen in droves, traversing the little vallies and sheltered parts, gathering their scanty fare from the banks of rivulets, and warm springs, but the sheep are almost all driven off for the winter^ in the months of November, December, and January, according as the season is more or less severe. The river Barl runs adjoining to this estate, but resigns its name, on being joined by a small stream about two miles to the east called the Ex. This stream takes its rise in a low swampy 8pot of ground, about two miles north east of Simonsbath, and runs to the other end of the forest ; becomes when joined by the JBarl, a very considerable river, and in its passage to Exmouth passes by Bampton, Tiverton, and Exeter, to which, and Exmouth* it seems to give name, as well as to this extensive forest. Into these rivers, Barl, and Ex, a number of small rivulets from every direction are constantly pouring their streams, and, should ever a general inclosure be attempted, offer an opportunity of wa- tering some hundreds of acres. The water in these rivulets seem of the purest kind; it is not impregnated with any noxious mi- neral, and the soil, beyond any doubt, is favorable to vegeta- tion. Q* ■ c Ha 1 fon the summits of the hills, and especially on the west, and jiorth, are swamps of many acres extent. They are cut up as turf, at the rate of eight-pence or tv/elve-pence per thousand, paid to the tenant of the forest, and would be an inexhaustible stock of fuel to any inhabitants settled on the better part, as well as of black peat for burning lime, working iron, smelting ore, or any manufacture where fire is used. The roads are in general, as might be expected in so large a tract of land without inhabitants, very bad, and in some places scarcely passable. But the whole abounds with materials to make them firm and comfortable, at an easy rate, and few bridges v/ould be necessary. Excepting a few willows and thorns by the sides of the rivulets, not a tree nor a bush, out of Simonsbath estate, is to be seen on the whole forest ; but plantations of most kinds need no more shelter, nor better soil, than is to be met with here. Oak, firs, beach, and elm, would thrive in all the parts capable of tillage. And a very large proportion of the whole, needs but the spirit, and the fortune of some one, or more of our wealthy gentlemen in England, whose attention, if turned this way, sanctioned by the royal pro- prietor, would render the forest of Exmoor in a few years, as fair a prospect as the surrounding country ; and not an useless, and void space as it now is, in the map of the county of Somerset. The term useless, however, may be said by some to be misapplied,, when the quantity of sheep is mentioned, that is depastured on it. From the best information to be had, twenty-two thousand are yammered here, besides the four hundred horses beforementionedj but the race is so small, and their value so trifling, that little pro- •tt accrues to the owner. Veins both of copper, and iron, have teen discovered, that might be worked to advantage, considering how convenient the situation is for shipping off the produce-; Vorlock, Lymouth, and Combmarten, all sea ports, not being jnore than nine miles distant from the centre of the forest. From each of those places, and also from Ilffacombe and JBarnstaple, vessels are every week passing to Wales, (where foun- Cderies have been long established) in ballast. A large vein of •lime stone is known to pass from east to west near the centre ofihe forest, 4 [ '75 ] forest, and proper stone is found for building on almost every parr. And to complete the whole, slate of a good quality has been du<- up in large quantities not far from Simonsbath ; and there is every reason ro think it may be found in other places. Water is in plenty in every part, as before-mentioned ; several market towns ar$ within a few miles of the forest. Large tracts of land are well adapted for the tillage of flax, which is known to thrive best on ola, or unvegetated ground with a strong deep soil. The grain which thrives in the adjoining parishes would, no doubt, flourish here ; and a ready sale would be found in the neighbouring mar- kets, or by being exported from the ports on the Eristol channel. The ashes arising from the weeds, and other extraneous mattes on the surface being burnt, and mixed with lime, would be a first dressing preparatory cither to a crop of turnips or corn. From the produce of the crops, would arise manure for future tillage, and what is now a barren waste, might be made worth from five to twenty shillings per acre. The plan for inclosures and building on the forest, I would rer commend, is this : Let there be a small town or village erecte4 near the middle, suppose by Simonsbath House, which should form proper residences for artificers and husbandmen, to be employed in building farm houses, and inclosing many a comfortable estate round them. From this centre town, or village, it would be easy to get a supply of provisions and all other necessaries, as a butcher Jjaker, shopkeeper, Sec. might be there settled. And till other houses or villages should be built, labourers, artificers, and work- men, might find lodgings, provisions, &c. in the bordering pa- rishes, many of which at this time have more labourers than they can well employ. The method of fencing, cultivating, manuring, Sec. would vary but little from the plan adopted on Mendip Hills ; and if prosecuted with vigor, would tend to lessen the poors rates, and would train up a rising generation to care and industry, instead of theft and idleness. Af| [ m ] A RECAPITULATION OF THE HINTS FOR IMPROVEMENT, ALREADY SUGGESTED in the PRECEDING PAGES; WITH SOME ADDITIONAL REMARKS. ts*» i St. Inclose and cultivate all waste lands susceptible of improvement, and divide and inclose the common fields. THE various causes which have operated to retard the progress of this species of improvement, have been so fully stated before, that I shall only add by way of encouragement, that the lands of Mendip Hills inclosed and cultivated in the course of the last thirty or forty years, are now worth between seven and eight thousand pounds per annum, which in their original state did not exceed' fifteen hundred pounds. It was naturally expected that so great an accession of arable land, would introduce such a plenty of corn (particularly of oats] in the adjacent markets, as would be accompanied with a propor- tionable diminution in price ; but no such consequences have fol- lowed. The average price of oats for the last twenty years, has not been less than eighteen shillings per quarter, Winchester measure. From this circumstance, some have been foolish enough to ques- tion the presumed advantage, exultingly crying, (( Is not corn dearer than it was before ? Are not the poors rates equally high ? Where then are the happy consequences derived from the measure ? Corn could not have been dearer had no inclosure taken place." Hold ! the price of every article varies according to the plenty, or scarcity in market ,; and if the home supply be not sufficient for the QonsunvPT [ *77 ] consumption, other markets at a distance must be Pe»ortod> to t this would have been the case in the neighbourhood of Mendiu Hills, had no inclcsures taken place. The counties cf Wilts and Dorset must have supplied the deficiency, and the carriage alone would have amounted to ten per cent. As to the increase of the poors rate, this has b n get cral, and may be attributed partly tq art increased population, and partly to a growing dissolute: ^ in the manners of the poor, which ever accompanies national improve- ment. Active exertions in this way cannot lail to produce a scar- city of labor, and to this, as naturally follows an advance of wages -, but the misfortune is, that such an advance, is not accompanied with a growing disposition in the workman, to maintain, in a more comfortable, way, his wife and family, or to lay by, against a time of need. No, if he can earn eight or nine shillings vafaur days of the week, the remaining /xw days are devoted to pleasure, or lux- ury, and the wife and children are in a worse situation, than when more moderate wages compelled him to constant work. I have known many instances, where the v/ages of a collier and his family, not exceeding five persons, have been twenty-five shiU lings per week, and their improvidence has been such, that one week's illness, has brought them to the parish for assistance. J can also look back to the time, when a commendable degree of pride, operated on the minds of the lower class, and withheld them from applications to the parish for relief, unless in great dis- tress. This pride, I am sorry to say, is totally lost, and the boon is now administered by the parish officer, with caution and reluctance; and received by the poor, with dissatisfaction, and ingratitude. From what I have said, let it not be inferred, that I wish to depress the poor, or to debar them of that comfort, which their usefulness in society intitie them to enjoy. No sight can be more pleasing to me, than to see an industrious cottager, returning from his daily labor, with a chearful countenance, and viewing his wife and chilt dren, with c ruvdacency .-.nd delight; and I would contribute to their happiness as much as in me lies, by humbly recommending to our legislators, a serious perusal of a pamphlet, published some years ago, entitled, Twenty minutes Advice on the Poor Laws. By the plan there suggested, I verily think the situation of the indus- trious [ 173 ] trious poor, would be meliorated, and the idle and dissolute would*" be made to contribute towards their support. All thofe who are conversant with the state of the lower class of society, must know that the period of life in which a workman most suffers, is when he has five or six small children. Then it is, that the support of the whole family depends on the father's labour, and his utmost exer- tions are scarcely sufficient to procure them bread ; should sicknefs befal him, he muft contract debts ; and should this repeatedly happen, before he has extricated himself, his spirits are broken, and the love cf Freedom and Independence no longer exists. A degree of torpor and inactivity succeeds, from which he scarcely ever emerges. To the man in this situation, I would, if possible, administer relief; and the bed method I can fuggest, is that of en- couraging, by the authority of Parliament, Friendly Societies, under the regulation of which, the Bachelor might be made to contribute to the support of the married; this would in sgme degree check that disposition to celibacy, which is but too apparent among the lower orders of mankind, and would add to the comfort of wedlock, smd to the populatiotiof the realm. A progressive, and too liberal an increase of wages, for daily labour, will lessen the quantum furnished, and will only tend to in- crease the dissolute manners of the poor; whereas the plan sug- gested by the author of the beforementianed tract, would, I hum- bly think, be attended with the happiest consequences both in an individual, and a national sense; and I hope the time is not fin- distant, when this institution, or something similar thereunto, may commence, and the poor be extricated from their present depend- anee, on the scanty bounty of a parish officer, and intitled to claim a support from a fund, to which they have contributed, and to a part of which, they have a legal, and incontrovertible right. -it. Where lands are s:tuaie on bleak and exposed eminences, improve ihe climate by judicious and extensive plantations. Though i am no advocate for standard trees in fences, yet I rhink large and massy plantations, in elevated situations, are not gnjy ornamental, but profitable. I* t i79 1 In this part of the kingdom, they should be placed on the soul* 'west side of a farm, as the wind from this quarter is most Injurious* The Scotch fir will endure almost any severity of climate, and the h-.ech will resist the destructive influence of the sea breeze ; next to these, in point cf hardiness, is the sjca/noor, the ash, and the birch. Such plantations may be pbced at the angles of the large field?, or on soots too rocky, and uneven to admit the {lough. They should be planted when young, and great care should be taken to secure them from cattle ; this k best done by a stone wall, fof hedges are liable to be broken down by suortsmen, and the work of many years may be destroyed in one night. I would rather see cattle in a field of ripe corn, than in a new made plantation. The damage in one instance is only partial, in the other it is nearly irreparable. j4- Wherever marl, time, or chalk cax be procured tviihifi a reascKfihle distance, neglect not a liberal use thereof; and if destitute cf such re- sources, be careful to male as much dung as possible by folding sheep* housing all sorts of cattle, preserving urine, collecting vooclun rags, ought, and in those parts wh ere it is applied, a repetition of it seldom takes place in less than twenty-five or thirty years ; so that a liberal manuring does not exceed one shilling and six-pence per acre per annum, and for this, there arc many instances of an almost immediate advance of rent of twenty shillings per acre. Lime r 180 ] Li/ne is still more plenty than marl, and within a distance of six miles from the coal pits, may be burnt for sixteen-pence or eigh- teen-peace per quarter. Its beneficial effects are universally known, and acknowledged, and yet strange to relate, a second ap- plication thereof seldom takes place in less than fifteen or twenty rears ; this reluctance may be attributed to the baneful effects, not offline, but of an injudicious and exhausting course of crop- ping. Allowing that arable land may be injured by a too liberal use of this manure, it must be allowed, that with pasture no such conse- quences could ensue. Lime, like marl, kills all the coarse, sour grasses, brings a sweet, and beautiful herbage, grateful to the palate of all cattle ; it forms a kind of pan under the surface, by which the nutritious particles of dung are kept longer within the reach of the roots of plants, and is the means of making ten load go* as far as twenty when applied without a previous liming. Its activity is not abated in the course of three or four years; for if the land be broken up at that distance of time, its effects are as visible in the subsequent crops of corn, as if it were immediately applied. Happy then are those farmers who posses* such advantages, and have the sense and spirit to use them. How would a Devonshire farmer rejoice, were he to find limestone and fuel on the same estate. In that part of the kingdom, to the honor of the county be it spoken, they frequently send twenty miles for lime, and give four-pence and six-pence per bushel at the kiln; and our wise- acres of Somerset will scarcely bestow carriage, were the landlord to give them the lime. Where neither marl, lime, chalk, nor any other similar sub- Stance, dug from the bowels of the earth, can be procured, it be- hoves the fanner to be earnestly solicitous to supply their places with either animal, or vegetable manure. For this purpose let him mow all his stubbles for litter, house his cattle during the winter months, fold his sheep, grow a large portion of turnips, cabbages, vetches, rye, &c; keep a numerous stock, and be mo- derate in the extent of his corn land. Great attention also ought to be paid to the management of dung when made, for by neglect great part of its strength may be lost. When properly soaked with [ i.8i ] with urine, it should be conveyed in its strongest state to the tur- nip land, or any other destined to receive it, in a lonv waggon in- stead of a cart. These waggons should be made to open at the sides, and the contents should be deposited in large heaps of ten or fifteen loads each, with considerable elevation ; and it should be shook abroad with as much care as a gardener takes in making a cucum- ber bed. By these means a strong fermentation is excited, and turning is unnecessary, and perhaps injurious. From these heaps placed at such a distance as to manure one acre, it may be wheeled and spread for two-pence halfpenny per load. In this method of hauling out dung, three waggons, four horses, and five men are employed ; namely, one waggon and two men loading in the yard, another waggon and two men unloading in the field, and the third waggon and driver going backward and for-, ward *. Wherever waste earth, mud from ponds, highway dirt, ashes, &c. &c. can be procured, compost heaps should not be neglected j these are best calculated for pasture land. Such a conduct will entitle him to a great produce, and keep his land in good order ; but all this will not do without — 4thly. A universal and regular rotation of crops. This I conceive to be the most prominent feature, in good farm- ing, and if it were generally adopted, would increase the produce of the land threefold. * In the application of dung the farmers of Somerset begin at the Wrong end. It is almost the general practice to manure for the wheat crop, whereby the land is made foul, and though there is a great burthen of straw, there is but little corn. How much more beneficial would it be, to apply all the dung to potatoes, tur- nips, &c. and to the artificial grasses, m.iking wheat the last crop in the course ? It is also usual to manure the turnip land immediately before sowing, but I have experienced great advantage, and more decided certainty of a crop, by manuring in autumn on the stubbles, ploughing the same in, on a fleet furrow, and letting it remain in that state during the winter months. A a A cue- [ i82 1 A custom prevails in this county, and indeed in most others, of subjecting a portion of land to continual tillage, and of interdict- ing the plough on all the other; this originated from improper conduct on the part of the tenant. No sooner is the plough put into his hand, than he uses it without mercy, harrassing the land with constant crops, till its fertility is intirely exhausted. The landlord, alarmed at these baneful effects, endeavours to counteract the progress by restraining clauses, and these are indis- criminately applied both to good and bad fanners ; and are consi- dered by the one, as highly necessary , and by the other as exceedingly grievous. Were we to advert to the general practice of the tenants, we should be led to justify the caution of the landlord ; but were we to calculate the loss, yearly incurred by such restrictions, we should have cause to regret, that the covetousness of the occupier, should have rendered necessary a conduct, so inimical to the general weal of the kingdom. In respect to low meadow land, or very rich pasture, there can be but one opinion, viz. that it should so remain, but it must be al- lowed, that there are in this kingdom large tracts of old grass land, mossy, hide bound, and comparatively speaking, unproductive. Land of this description, might be greatly improved by ploughing, and if the following course of crops, and mode of manuring were adopted, would be left at the end of three years, of double the value it was in the sward. i ON LIGHT LAND. 1st. Peas or oats on the ley. 2d. Vetches fed off, and the land manured with lime or the sheepfold preparatory to turnips. 3d. Barley and artificial grass-seeds. In which let it remain till the grasses fail, and the land again becomes mossy ; then renew the course. On [ i83 ] ON HEAVY LAND. isf. Beans on the ley. 2d. Spring fallow, well manured, and cabbages *. 3cL Oats and artificial grasses. Then remain as before. The foregoing courses of cropping, cannot possibly injure the land) and by them fallowing is excluded, which (unless in particu- lar instances, such as great foulness, or dearth of manure) I do not think necessary. 5th. Enlarge the upland corn farms \ erect proper buildings and con-ve- niencies for the shelter of the cattle in the winter months, thereby in- citing substantial, and ivcll informed farmers, of more enlightened countries, to settle upon them. I have before stated the advantages of large corn farms, build- ings, &c. and shall therefore only add, that nothing so much con- tributes to the progress of good husbandry, as example. One good farmerin a parish (particularly if he take no pains to make prose- lytes) will in a few years convert all the rest; the superiority of his crops, the advancing fertility of his land, the thriving state of his cattle, the abundance of manure, all plead daily in favor of his system, and will in the end, produce conviction, even in the most bigoted mind. I know no method by which general improvement can be more promoted, than by dispersing the farmers of those counties, whose practices are held in the highest estimation, among those parts of the kingdom, on which the light of good husbandry has never * The cultivation of cabbages on heavy land cannot be too strongly recommended. It puts the clay land farmer on a level, with his neighbours occupying "light land , and as a farther encouragement, I can assert, from experiments repeatedly made, that tivo tons of cabbages are equal to tbret of turnips, that they are less subject to injury from frost, and that the expences of cultivation, compared with turnips, do not exceed five shillings per acre. A a 2 shone. [ i84 ] shone. This would introduce into general practice the turnip husbandry of the eastern districts, with all its concomitant ad- vantages. The soil, and climate of the county of Somerset, is peculiarly well adapted to the cultivation of this root, and were the pasture lands less rich, and productive, necessity would oblige the farmer to have recourse to this root for winter subsistence. At present the. quantity of land devoted to this purpose is trifling indeed, and in most instances the hoe is never used, nor are they consumed with any degree of ceconomy. Though the rent of the land in the elevated parts of this county may be considered high, there are advantages which more than compensate ; these are its rich and productive quality in all seasons, the facility with which it may be ploughed, the easy access to marl, limestone and coal, goodness of roads, vicinity to markets; and, lastly, the high price of produce. The last mentioned advantage, is alone sufficient, to induce a residence, for it frequently happens that corn sells twenty per cent, dearer here, than it does in the eastern counties. 6th. Improve the stock by a judicious selection of males and females for breeding ; and be particularly careful to choose a male handsome in those points, wherein the female may be deficient. In this department of husbandry, the farmers of Somerset are very inattentive, though they all acknowledge, that the proper stocking of a farm is of the highest importance. In confirmation of this, I need only inform my readers, that few instances can be produced of a bull being sold for more than fifteeH pounds, or a ram for more than five pounds. As to stallions there are but few bred : the mares are served by horses brought every spring from the northern counties, and without this cross, the breed would be contemptible indeed. It is not within the compass of my undertaking to enter upon this article at large ; suffice it to say, that it is a thing of great consequence to the husbandman, and the only caution to be observed, whea % [ >8S ] when he introduces an alien stock, by way of improvement, is, not to change from rich land to poor, or from a ivarm to a cold climate. 7th. Encourage the use of oxen. It is universally acknowledged, that too great a portion of land is employed in raising food for horses ; and it is also to be known, that a draught horse, if well fed and kept in house thirty weeks of the year, will consume twelve quarters of corn, and thirty cwt. of hay, beside grass; this may be considered as the produce of five acres of good land, which under common cultivation would main- tain three men. If therefore the riches of a country consist in the extent of its population, and that population, can only be advanced by increasing the means of subsistence, it follows, that every man who keeps an unnecessary horse is an enemy to his country, by re- tarding the increase of his own species. Navigable canals would also greatly tend to reduce the number of horses, and wherever the situation is such as to admit of them, should be encouraged. To a spirit of speculation and gambling, the country is indebted for the canals now cutting, and others in contemplation ; but though the rage has subsided, yet I trust the probable advantages will in- spire the present adventurers, with sufficient spirit and vigor to pro- secute their undertaking, to its full completion. The county is rich, populous, and abounds with all those heavy articles of traffic, which will render water conveyance pro- fitable to the subscribers, and beneficial to the public ; and if the cuts be made of small dimensions, the cost will be trifling ; the consumption of land, and the invasion of private property insigni- ficant : such a canal, could only be considered as a large ditch, and might be so multiplied, as to answer the purpose of turnpike roads. 8th, [ *86 ] 8th. Amend the public reads. Nothing so much contributes to the improvement of a county, as good roads; before the establishment of turnpikes, many parts of this county were scarcely accessible. Seven or eight horses were necessary to draw a waggon loaded with tiMi/qualityjn£ 52 a from the bottom add Lancaster after York 53 22 for 8,000,000 read 12,000,000 — 23 for I2,ooc,ooo read 3,000,000 60 28 for Blagdon read Bleadon 67 9 ybr advkeab'e read advifeable 71 6 /"or tone read Stone $4 23 _/&/• hither rs. J 14 15 /br skimtd ;•?*»