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GENERAL VIEW

OF THE

AGRICULTURE

OF THE

Count? of jl2otfoift;

WITH OBSERVATIONS

For the Mea?is of its Improvement,

Drawn up, for the Confideration of the

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE
ana 3Internal ^mprotoemcnt,

EY

NATHANIEL KENT,

OF FULHAM, MIDDLESEX.

With additional Remarks from feveral refpectable Gentlemen
and Farmers.

<'; Ye generous Britons, venerate the Plough."

Thomson.

IPrintcD at tf;c /•Jorfotft lBrfO0,
BY C ROUSE, STEVENSON, AND MATCHET 1\

R K E r-P I. ACE, N O R W I C II ,

FOR GEORGE NICOL, PALL-MALL, LONDON.

17." .

Ill

ADVERTISEMENT

FROM THE

li$oart> of Agriculture*

JL HE great desire that has been very gene-
rally expressed, for having the AGRICUL-
TURAL SURVEYS of the KINGDOM

re-printed, with the additional communica-
tions which have been received since the ORI-
GINAL REPORTS were circulated, has
induced the BOARD of AGRICULTURE,
to come to a resolution of re-printing such as
may appear on the whole fit for publication;
and it will thankfully acknowledge any ad-
ditional information which may still be com-
municated: An invitation, of which, it is
hoped, many will avail themselves, as there
is no circumstance from which any one can
derive more real satisfaction, than that of
eontributing, by every possible means, to pro-
mule the improvement of his country.

B9, T$, Letters to the Board, may be afldrcsscl to Sir Jonrr
{Sinclair, Bart, the President, M. 1\ London.

.son, Junk. 1795.

a 2

IV

P L A JsT

jFor Ee=prinrin0 tf?e

Agricultural Surveys.

— =,®«= —

By the President of the Board of Agriculture*

J\ BOARD eftablifhed for the purpofe of making
every effential enquiry into the Agricultural State,
and the means of promoting the internal improve-
ment of a powerful Empire, will neceflfarily have
it in view, to examine the fources of public prof-
perity, in regard to various important particulars.
Perhaps the following is the mod natural order
for carrying on fuch important inveftigations;
namely, to afcertain,

1. The riches to be obtained from the furface

of the national territory.

2. The mineral or fubterraneous treafurcs cf

which the country is porTefFed.

3. The wealth to be derived from its flreams,

rivers, canals, inland navigations, coafls,
and fitheries. And

4. The

4. The means of promoting the improvement
of the people, in regard to their health,
industry, and morals, founded on %jhatif~
tical furvey, or a minute and careful en-
quiry into the a&ual flate of even' paro-
chial diftricl in the kingdom, and the ciiv
cumftances of its inhabitants.

Under one or other of thefe heads, every point
of real importance, that can tend to promote the
general happinefs of a great nation, feems to be in-
cluded.

Inveftigations cf fo extenfive and fo complicated
a nature, muft require, it is evident, a confidera-
ble fpace of time before they can be completed.
Differing indeed in many refpects from each other,
it is better, perhaps, that they mould be under-
taken at different periods, and feparately confider-
cd. Under that imprefiion, the Board of Agricul-
ture has hitherto directed its attention to the fiid
point only, namely, the cultivation of the furface,
and the rcfourccs to be derived from it.

That the fads efiential for fuch an invefligation,
might be collected with more celerity and advan-
tage, a number of intelligent and refpcclable indi-
viduals were appointed, to furnifll the Board with
accounts of the Hate of hufbandry, and the means
(A improving the different difiricts of the kingdom,
The returns th v iVnt were printe 1, and ci;. .1.

by

VI

by every means the Board of Agriculture could
devife, in the diflricts to which they refpe&iveiy
related ; and, in confequence of that circulation,
a great inafs of additional valuable information
has been obtained. For the purpofe of commu-
nicating that information to the Public in gene-
ral, but more efpecially to thofe counties mod
interested therein, the Board has refolved to re-
print the Survey of each County, as foon as it
leemed to be fit for publication ; and, among
fcveral equally advanced, the counties of Norfolk
and Lancafter were pitched upon for the com-
mencement of the propofed publication ; it being
thought mod advifable, to begin with one county
on the Eaftern, and another on the Weftern
coaft of the ifland. When all thefe Surveys
mall have been thus re-printed, it will be attended
with little difficulty to draw up an abftracl: of the
whole, (which will not probably exceed two or
three volumes quarto) to be laid before his Majef-
ty, and both Houfes of Parliament ; and after-
wards, a general Report on the prefent ftate of
the country, and the means of its improvement,
may be fyilematically arranged, according to the
various fubje£ts connected with agriculture. Thus
every individual in the kingdom may have,

1. An account of the hufbandry of his own

particular county ; or,

2, A general view of the agricultural ftate of

the kingdom at large, according to the

counties

Vll

counties, or diflricts, into which it is di-
vided ; or,
3. An arranged fyftem of information on agri-
cultural fubjecls, whether accumulated by
the Board fince its eftahjiihrnent, or pre--
vioufly known.

And thus information refpe£Hng the Hate of
the kingdom, and agricultural knowledge in gene-
ral, will be attainable with every poflible advan-
tage.

In re-printing thefe Reports, it was judged ne-
cellary that they mould be drawn up according to
one uniform model -3 and after fully confidering
the fubjecl:, the following form was pitched upon,
as one that would include in it all the particulars
which it was necefTary to notice in an Agricultural
Survey. As the other Reports will be re-printed
nearly in the fame manner, the reader will thus be
enabled to find out at once, where any point is
treated of, to which he may wilh to direct his at-
tention.

Plan

V11I

Plan of the Re-Prhited Reports.

Preliminary Obfervations.

Chap. I. Geographical State and Circumftances*
Sect. I. — Situation and Extent.
2. — Divifions.
3. — Climate.
4. — Soil and Surface.
5. — Minerals.
6. — Water.

II. State of Property.

Sect. 1. — Eftates, and their Management.
2.- — Tenures.

III. Buildings.

Sect. 1. — Houfes of Proprietors.

2. — Farm Houfes and Offices ; and Re-
pairs.
3. — Cottages.

IV. Mode of Occupation.

Sect. 1. — Size of Farms. — Character of the
Farmers.
2. — Rent — -in Money — in Kind — in

Perfonal Services.
3. — Tythes.
4. — Poor Rates.
5. — Leafes.
6. — Expence and Profit.

V. Implements.

VI. Inclofing — Fences — Gates.

VII. Arable Land.

Sect. 1. — Tillage.

2. — Fallowing.

3. — Rotation of Crops.

CHAP.

CHAP. VII. continued.

Sect. 4. — Crops commonly cultivated ; their
Seed, Culture, Produce, &c*
5.— Crops not commonly cultivated.

Chap. VIII. Grafs.

Ssct. 1. — Natural Meadows and Paftures.
2. — Artificial Graffes.
3. — Hay Harvefl.
4. — Feeding.

IX. Gardens and Orchards.

X. Woods and Plantations.

XI. Waftes.

XII. Improvements.
Sect. 1. — Draining.

2. — Paring and Burning.
3.— Manuring.
4. — Weeding.
5. — Watering.

Chap. XIII.

* Where the quantity is confiderable, the information refpecting
the crops commonly cultivated, may be arranged under the fol-
lowing heads :

1. Preparation \ tlllaSe' f 6, Culture whilft growing i weeding C
* I manure. 5 1 feeding, i

z. Sort. 7. Hnrveft.

3. Steeping. 8. Threfhing.

4. Seed (quantity fown). 9. Produce.

;. Time of ibwing. to. Manufacture of bread.

I J, the &me heads will fuit the following grains :
Urulrv. -Oars. -Beans.— Rye.— Peafe.— Buck-wheat.
Vitches .... Application.

■ l£tsi

Drawn
Turnips

r Vi awn . , . -x

J Fed (

y K pt on grafs . f

C — . in houles J

Chap. XIII. Live Stock.
Sect. ft. — Cattle.
2. — Sheep.
3. — Horfes, and their life in Hufband-

ry, compared to Oxen.
4.— Hogs.
5.— Rabbits.
6.— Poultry.
7. — Pigeons.
8.— Bees.

XIV. Rural (Economy.

Sect. 1. — Labour — Servants— -Labourers— —
Hours of Labour.
2. — Provifions.
3. — Fuel.

XV. Political CEconomy, as connected
with, or affecting Agriculture.
Sect. 1. — Roads.
2. — Canals.
3. — Fairs.

4. — Weekly Markets.
5 . — Commerce.
6. — Manufactures.
7. — Poor.
8. — Population.

XVI. Obftacles to Improvement; includ-
ing general Obfervations on Agricul-
tural Legiflation and Police.

XVII. Mifcellaneous Obfervations.
Sect. i. — Agricultural Societies.
2. — Weights and Meafurcs.

Conclufion. — Means of Improvement, and the
Meafures calculated for that Purpofe.

Appendix.

PERFECTION

XI

PERFECTION in fuch enquiries is not in the
power of any body of men to obtain at once, what-
ever may be the extent of their views, or the vigour
of their exertions. If Lewis XIV. eager to have
his kingdom known, and pofTeffed of boundlefs
power to efFecl: it, failed fo much in the attempt,
that of all the provinces in his kingdom, only one
was fo defcribed as to fecure the approbation of
puflerity*; it will not be thought itrange that a

Board,

* See Voltaire's Age of Lewis XIV. vol. ii. p. 127, 128,
edit. 1752.

The following extraft from that work will explain the cir-
cumftance above alluded to.

<: Lewis had no Colbert, nor Louvois, when about the
" year 5698, for the inftruttion of the Duke of Burgundy, he
" ordered each of the intendants to draw up a particular de-
" fcription of his province. By this means, an exatt account
" of the kingdom might have been obtained, and a juft enu-
" meration of the inhabitants. It was an ufeful work, though
" all the intendants had not the capacity and attention of
«' Monfieur de Lamoignon de Baville. Had what the King
« directed been as well executed in regard to every province,
" as it was by this magiftrate in the account of Languedoc,
« the collection would have been one of the moft valuable
«« monuments of the age. Some of them are well done ; but
<c the plan was irregular and imperfeft, becaufe all the inten-
M dants were not refcraincd to one and the fame. It were to
*' be wifhed, that each of them had given, in columns, the
M number of inhabitants in each clcttion ; the nobles, the ci-
" tizens, the labourers, the artilans, the mechanics ; the cat*

b 2 " tie

Xll

Board, poffeffed of means fo extremely limited,
ihould find it difficult to reach even that degree of
perfection which, perhaps, might have been attain-
able with more extenfive powers. The candid
reader cannot expecl, in thefe Reports, more than
a certain portion of ufeful information, fo arrang-
ed as to render them a bafis for further and more
detailed enquiries. The attention of the intelligent
cultivators of the kingdom, however, will doubtlefs
be excited, and the minds of men in general gra-
dually brought to confider favourably of an un-
dertaking, which will enable all to contribute to
the national Mores of knowledge, upon topics fo
truly interefting as thofe which concern the Agri-
cultural interefts of their country — interefls which,
on juft principles, never can be improved, until
the prefent ilate of the kingdom is fully knoivn,
and the means of its future improvement afcer-
tained with minutenefs and accuracy.

" tie of every kind ; the good, the indifferent, and the bad
«' lands ; all the clergy, regular and fecular, their revenues,
" thofe of the towns, and thofe of the communities.

" All thefe heads, in mod of their accounts, are confufed
" and imperfect ; and it is frequently neceffary to fearch with
'* great care and pains to find what is wanted. The defign
<: was excellent, and would have been of the greateft u'fe, had
tJ it been executed with judgment and uniformity."

XUl

PREFACE,

BY

MR. KENT.

JtiLAVING come forward a Volunteer, upon
the establishment of the Board of Agriculture,
and collected and arranged the best informa,-
tion in my power, touching the Husbandry of
this County, without any provincial bias, it
was freely offered to the Board to be disposed
of as it should think most likely to produce
any advantage to the Public. The Board
very judiciously circulated it in all parts of
the County, desiring all Persons, who might
be inclined to take the subject under considera-
tion, to make their free Remarks upon it,
and to return it yvith any Additions Ihey
might have to offer. In consequence of Iris,
many sensible and pertinent Observations have
been made, which the Board has since put in-
to my hands, requesting ?ne to re-print my
own Report, and to interweave these Obser-
ved ions

XIV

rations zvith it. I shall with great satisfac-
tion avail myself of the aid those Hints af->
ford me, but as I shall, in several instances,
enlarge my own original Report, I conceive
it would tend to break the chain of my argu-
ment, and render it less intelligible, were I
to blend these different opinions with it; at
the same time, these Remarks will speak bet-
ter for themselves standing distinct. I mean,
therefore, to publish such as are perfect in
themselves, or too long for Notes, in an Ap-
pendix at the end of the Report, and such as
are in the nature of short detached Observa-
tions, I shall subjoin at the end of each Sec-
tion, taking the liberty to comment upon them
zvith the same freedom that has been taken
with vie, but not any farther than may be ne-
cessary to illustrate the great and important
object in question; thus we shall stand in the
nature of evidence, and the Public will be the
'impartial Jury to decide upon the merits of
our different ideas. And here I take the li-
berty to request the Reader to follow the full
drift of my argument, through the whole of
each Section, before he has recourse to the
Notes; for though they will afterwards
strengthen and elucidate the subject, they will
be apt to create perplexity, if recourse be had

to

XV

to them as often as their marks of reference
appear.

As to the arrangement of the matter that
will be contained in this re-printed Report, it
zvill not follow in the exact form of the pre-
ceding general Plan, as the greatest part of
my scheme was digested and settled prior to
my being acquainted with it ; but I trust that
under the following heads, I shall embrace
all the material objects which the Board has
pointed out.

Section

I. PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

II. Situation, Contents, Divisions, and Population.

III. Climate and Weather.

IV. Surface and Soil.

V. Roads, Navigation, and Rivers.

VI. Manures and their Application.

VII. Tenures and their Proportions.

VIII. Arable Land and Courfe of Cropping.

IX. Modes of Culture.

X. Grafs Land, and Hints for its Improvement.

XL Average Crops and Scale of Rent.

XII. Irregular Crops*

XIII. Fallowing exploded.

X IV. Common Fields and Inclofures.

XV. The Commons confidercd.

XVI. Woods and Plantation .

XVII. Live Stock.

XVIII. Buildings

XVI

£»ccttott

XVIII. Buildings and Repairs.

XIX. Implements of Husbandry.

XX. The Advantage of Leafes.

XXI. The Size of Farms confidered.

XXII. The Advantage of Working Oxen.

XXIII. Commerce; or a Statement of Exports*

XXIV. General Outgoings.
XXV. Rural CEconomy.

XXVI. Fairs and Markets.

XXVII. State of the Poor.

XXVIII. Reprehenfible Praftices.

XXIX. General Obiervations.

APPENDIX.

Letter from Sir Mordaunt Martin, Bart, on the Culture of

Potatoes.
Letter from Mr. Overman, on the Breed of Cattle.
Letter from Lord Petre, on the Fatting of Cattle with Oil3

Bran, &c.
Letter from J. B.Burroughes, Efq. on the Dibbling of Wheat
Letter from Mr. Baker, on ditto.
Remarks by Mr. Wagftaff, on ditto,
Letter from Mr. Varlo, on ditto.
Remarks by Dr. Hinton, on the Advantage of Peat, Lime,

&c.
A Hint from Mr. Wagftaff, refpetting New Fences.
Letter from Mr. Kent, on the Advantages of Spanifh Chefnut;
Abftra£tof Covenants between Mr. Coke and his Tenants.
Statement of the Expence and Profit of Fatting Scotch Cattle.

Agricultural Survey

OF

O R F O L K.
Section i.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

JL HE fuperior benefits refulting to fociety from
Agriculture, are fo confpicuous, that it is impof-
fible they fhould efcape the observation of a
fpeculativemind. Other improvements, carry
only local advantage j but thofe of Agriculture
are diffunve of general good to mankind. It is
unquestionably the firft of all fcienccs, as it
nurfes and fupports the reft : it is therefore
deferring the greateft encouragement from all
ranks of men, who are able to promote its im-
provement, whether by liberal aid, induflry, or

A talents.

I AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

talents. As an individual, I feel the utmofl fauV
fadion, in making a free-will ofFering to the
public of my mite of information on the prefent
occahon, and am glad to find that Government
h:is at lafl fandioned this important object. By
the aid it may receive from this refpedable
quarter^ and from the zeal and perfeverance of
the adive members who are placed at the head
of the new eflablifhment,much may be expeded ;
and as profefhonal men from all diftricls, are
called forth, to make their full and free obferva-
tion upon the hufbandry of the parts with
which they are molt familiar, it is to be pre-
fumed, that a great deal of ufeful information
will be brought together, after which a judicious
feleclion will of courfe be made, highly to the
advantage of the public ; for as many men will,
of courfe, defcribe the fame objed, it will be
undoubtedly neceffary, for the fake of brevity,
to winnow the chaff from the corn, taking what
is good from every man, and rejeding the
drofs.

Thus, all who embark in this bufinefs, may
have the fatisfadion to find, they contribute
fomething, to the welfare of the great objed on
foot; and though the fubjed they aim to de-
fcribe,

OF NORFOLK.

fcribe, may not be publifhed exactly in their
own words, their ideas will at lead be blended
in the great body of the work.

The firft object, the Board feems to have in
view, is to inform itfelf, of the prefent State of
Hufbandry in every County, that it may give all
the encouragement in its power, to fuch prac-
tices, which have a beneficial tendency, and en-
deavour to difcourage and put out of counte-
nance, fuch as are carried on upon eironeous
and obftinate principles.

There is no doubt, but great advantage will
be derived from a plan of this fort. In the firft
place, every foil in the kingdom will be de-
icribed, and its right ufe pointed out, which i^
the firfl; flep to good hufbandry.

Cattle will, of courfe, be largely treated of,
and the judicious farmer be enabled to diflin-
guifh how far he can rationally improve his
native flock, and how far mix the breed to ad-
vantage with cattle of another diflricl ; and, at
the fame time, avoid the rock which a great num-
ber of people at this time fplit upon, in huflily
changing their prefent flock for another, per-

A 2 haps

4 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

haps too large, and totally inappofite to the na-
ture of the land.

Buildings will likewife be another confidera-
tion of great moment, as it is an obje£l, that
greatly affecls the profit of eftates; therefore, the
feleclion of the bed kind of materials, and the
adoption of the befl plans, combined in com-
fort and frugality, will be found highly deferr-
ing the attention of the landed intereft.

Implements of hufbandry, will be found de-
ferving the attention of farmers, and in many
inflances may be changed to advantage.

In fhort, a thoufand ufeful fubjecls and expe-
riments will be treated on, fo largely, and fo fa-
tisfa&orily, (that nothing fallacious can be allow-
ed to Hand, where fo many perfons, writing upon
the fame fubjeel, mud correct each other) that
there will be no occupier of land, but may de-
rive fome additional knowledge to what he is
now in poffeihon of ; for when all the befl and
worfl practices are fairly exhibited, a perfon
rauft be deficient in common fenfe, not to adopt
the one, and explode the other.

Nothing

Of NORFOLK.

Nothing in my opinion, will tend more to
excite a general fpirit of Improvement, than the
Board's publifhing a general Abftracl of all the
belt Information that can be collected from the
different Reports ; contrafling the befl with the
worft Praclices. — A fhort ftatement of this kind,
drawn up with perfpicuity, will be more read,
more attended to, and make a deeper impreflion
on a Farmer's mind, than long defcriptions
from theoretical writers ; but this felection
fhould be made by a Committee of fix or feven
men of found experience, who refide in diffe-
rent parts of the kingdom; and who, when cal-
led together, will be equally free of bias and
local prejudice.

In order to facilitate what I here recom-
mend, I will, in the courfe of my remarks,
point out fome of the mofl ftriking things which
may be worth attention in a Norfolk Farmer,
from better modes of hufbandry in other coun-
ties ; and, on the other hand, point out, to
other parts of England, fuch things as I con-
e the farmers, in this county, excel in.

ftrfiim

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section n.

SITUATIOjY-CONTENTS-DIVISIONS
AND POPULATION.

l\TORFOLK is a Maritime County, bounded
by the German Ocean on the north and
eaft ; by Suffolk, fouth ; and by Cambridgefhire
and Lincoln (hire, weft. — Its greateft length, due
eaft and weft, is fifty-nine miles, and its greateft
breadth, from north to fouth, thirty-eight [a). — At
the ends it is not fo broad j but it may be confi-
dered, when fquared, as containing, as nearly as
can be ascertained from the maps hitherto published,
about 1,710 fquare miles, and 1,094,400 ftatute
acres. It is divided into thirty-three hundreds,
one city, by much the largeft in England, fave
London and Briftol — Four fea port towns — Twen-
ty-five other market-towns, and feven hundred and
fifty-fix parifhes.

It is extremely difficult to ftate, with any degree
of accuracy, what are the different proportions of
cultivated and uncultivated land, as this could

only

OF NORFOLK.

only be done by a general furvey, but from the
belt enquiry and obfervation that I have been able
to make, I will hazard the following calculation :

The fpace on which the towns ftand 1500

Public and private roads 16416

Lakes and rivers 2000

Sedgy and fwampy ground 1500

Unimproved commons 80000

Woods and plantations 10000

Arable land, computed at two-) 7oQq00

thirds of the whole county $

Meadows, parks, and upland paiture 126692

Marih lands 63346

Warrens and fheep-walks 63346

Total of acres - 1094400

The population of the city of Norwich was af-
certained in the year 1693, when it was found to
contain 28,881 fouls; and again in 1752, when it
was found to have increafed 1036,169; but the
trade was then in high reputation, and the city faid
to be very healthy ; and as the trade has fince ra-
ther declined, it cannot be fuppofed the population
has much increafed fince, though it is generally
undcrflood, that there are now about 40,000 fouls
in Norwich (£V 10,000 in Lynn, and 1 6,000 at
Yarmouth.

A>

8 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

As to the fmaller towns and villages, I have
confidered them partly from a general average of
houfes, and partly in proportion to the number
of cultivated acres of land ; and though calcula-
tions of this kind mud not be looked on as accu-
rate, I confider the whole number of people in
the county to be about 2 20,000 (c).

Jf O T E S.

[a] Two commentators are to be noticed here, Sir Thomas
Beevor and the Rev. Mr. Howlett, Vicar of Dunmow, in
Effex — The former fays " by Templeman's Survey of the
"Globe fa book, of great authority) Norfolk is 57 miles in
*' length and 35 in breadth, containing 1426 fquare miles." — If
Templeman meant, as I do, the mean length and breadihj
the beft way, I prefume, of afcertaining the content fought
for, he muft be in an error, for 57, multiplied by 35, will
give 1995 miles — The latter fays " from a bare infpe&ion of
the maps of England, Norfolk is more extenfive than Effex,
and yet that is eftimated at 1,240,000 acres, and I believe
that eftimate is very near the truth." — I truft that it will not
imply, that my eftimate for Norfolk is erroneous, becaufe Mr.
Howlett thinks that of Effex is true. — The fcale by which a
kingdom is laid down cannot be depended upon for the ad-
meafurement of a county. — Suffice it, that I have deduced my
calculation, as I have before obferved, from the beft maps
hitherto publifhed, and from twenty-fix years acquaintance
with the county : and the public, muft decide to which ftate-
rnent molt credit is due.

0) Sir

OF NORFOLK. 9

(I?) Sir Thomas ftates " that in 1786 the population of the
•* city of Norwich was again afcertained, and the number of
" inhabitants was 40,051, of which there are perfons having
" fettlements in and belonging to other places, 105851, and
" that it is thought at this time that 8000 are in the workhoufes
« andhofpital*, or maintained elfewhere at the public expence."

(c) Mr. Kowlett, who has taken great pains to afcertain this
point in feveral parts of England, for which he is moll highly
to be commended, is of opinion, that my ftatement is far
fhort of the real number of people in Norfolk, which " he is
a almofc confident was 270,000 ten years ago.'5 In this remark
he may poflibly be right, as, perhaps, his rule of computa-
tion may have been better than mine ; fuffice it, that I have
given the beft account which I could deduce from enquiry,
checked by obfervation in parts where I was moil acquainted.
But it is a very difficult queftion for an individual to afcer-
tain with precifion, though I think it an enquiry of the very
fir ft importance, and am aftonifhed that the government of
this country has never made a point of obtaining it — Since it
is obvious, that the greateft benefit would be derived from it,
not only in all commercial calculations upon allowable ex-
ports and profitable imports, but in referving fufficiency of
corn, in due time, when there is likely to be any accidental
deficiency ; not to mention various other inftances of national
advantage, which might be derived from a true ftate of po-
pulation ; it is alfo the beft foundation the Board of Agricul-
ture can have to regulate the various plans of improvement
it has in v .

B

10 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section in.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER.

6

AHE extremities of the county, lie from 52 deg,
24 m. to 53 deg. 5 m. north latitude, and from
about o deg. 6 m. to 1 degree 52 minutes of eaflern
longitude; and being open to the German Ocean,
north and eaft, and lying on the marfhy parts of
Cambridgefhire and Lincolnfhire on the weft — the
air is on that account extremely cold in winter, and
during the early parts of the fpring, vegetation is
generally kept back by fharp eafterly winds, and
a vaft quantity of fleet — cattle on this account, often
fuffer feverely as well from this inclemency of wea-
ther, as from want of a proper fupply of nourifh-
ment in the fpring; for when the turnips happen to
perifh early, from the frequent change of froft and
thaw, the farmer finds himfelf obliged to difpofe of
his flock to a very great difadvantage, which he
fhould endeavour to guard againft, by keeping a
good flock of hay in flore, and by fowing a fufncient
quantity of his land, with rye or winter vetches the
preceding autumn. In other refpe&s, I do not think
the produce of the land the lefs for this feverity, on

the

OF NORFOLK. II

the contrary, it may be, and I believe is of advan-
tage to it ; for nothing fertilizes more than fro ft and
fnow, and as all the land defigned for the next year's
crop of turnips is expofed to the weather the
whole of the winter, it being the cuftom to plough
up the Hubble defigned for turnips fooner than in
many other counties ; it may perhaps be one reafon
cf the greater certainty in the culture of this inefti-
mable root. — In fummer, the fhowers are rather
more frequent than in the midland counties — florms
and tempefts, fuch as thunder and lightning, are fre-
quent, and as violent as in other parts of the king-
dom, but feldom laft fo long as in hilly diftri&s, but
in general pafs in a quick direction from the fouth
and weft, towards the fea, which ftrongly attra&s
them ; and I have remarked that it is but feldom that
fhefe fiorms come from the fea.

B2

12 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section iv.

SURFACE AND SOIL,

JL HE furface, except in fome few parts, near
Norwich, and upon the coaft near Sherringham
and Cromer, is moftly a dead flat; confequently,
the afpecT: is in general uniform and uninterefting,
and, as the open and worft parts lie to the fouth-
weft, where dangers enter the county, it mull offer
to them a very dreary and barren appearance (a)9
but all the north, north-eaft and fouth-eaft parts are
inclofed; and being as well, if not better, cultivated
than any other part of the kingdom, and certainly
much richer in timber than any other maritime
county, exhibit at leaft many cheerful and pleafant
views, but none that are very extenfive.

The greateft part of the arable land is fandy.
The prime parts of the county lie north and north-
eaft of Norwich ; comprifing the hundreds of
Eaft and Weft Fiegg, South Walfham, Blofield,
Happing, Tunftead, and the greateft part of North
and South Erpingham j all which may be deno-
minated

OF NORFOLK. 13

minated a true fandy loam, equal in value to the
belt parts of the Auftrian Netherlands, to which it
is firnilar. It is highly fruitful, and fa temperate
and pleafant to work, that it is rarely injured by
wet or drought, fo that the occupier is feidom put
out of his rotation of cropping. It is very unlucky
for the credit of Norfolk, that this part of the
county is, by its diftant lituation, lefs known to
ftrangers than any other part.

The diftricr. fouth and fouth-eaft of Norwich,
confiding of the hundreds of Loddon, Clave r-
ing (£), Henftead, Earfham, Difs, Depwade, and
Humilyard, as well as fome parts of Fourhoe and
Mitford, though chiefly land, have an occasional
mixture of clay, and are in many parts wet and
full of fprings ; but yet thcfe parts are fruitful,
though to a lefs degree than the former; they are
likewife lefs pleafant and more expenfive to work.

The largefr. portion of the county lies weft and
and north-weft of Norwich; comprifing the hun-
dreds of Taverham, Eynsfoid, Holt, North Green*
hoe, Gallon, Launditch, Biothercrofs, Smithdon,
Freebridgf, and Clackclofe. There is fome wry
good land in different parts of this diltntt ; bur,
upon the whole, it is a very inferior country to the
two preceding diflri&s. It luns, in general, light,
and its belt dependence is upon the fold. This is

what

14 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

what is called Weft Norfolk, and is the part which
Mr. Young defcribed in his firft Norfolk Tour;
and on account of the three great houfes of Holk-
ham, Houghton, and Rainham, is the part which
ft rangers are mod acquainted with. It is here
that great farms are to be found, with a thin popu-
lation (c)y and if it were not for the occafional
afliftance derived from the eaftern part of the
county, there would often be a want of hands in
the harveft, and other bufy feafons (d).

The hundreds of Shropham, Guiltcrofs, Wey-
land, South Greenhoe, and Grimfhoe, lying
fouth-weft of Norwich, run upon a ftill lighter
fand ; fo light, that in the lafl mentioned hundred,
the fand very often, in a high wind, drifts from one
parifh to another. This is the part where the great
rabbit warrens are found, which upon this foil pay
better than any other thing the land could be ap-
propriated to.

Marfhland may be confidered as a hundred by
itfelf. The foil is a rich ooze, evidently a depolit
from the fea : the north part is highly productive;
but the fouth part very much injured for want of
better drainage, which, it is prefumed, will now be
efFeCted, as there was a bill paifed in the lafl fek
lion of parliament for that purpofe,

NOTES.

Ql NORFOLK,

Jf O T E S.

(a) Sir Thomas Beevor obferves, "that many flrangers en-
" ter the county by way of Colchefter, which brings them
" through a fine rich country ;" this I readily admit, and that
there is no road of equal length with that, from London to
Norwich, where there is lefs uncultivated land or better huf=
bandry ; but the number of travellers who come this way
are very few in proportion to thofe who come by Newmar-
ket and Thetford.

(b) Sir Thomas fays, " the hundreds of HeRftead, Forchoc,
« Mitford, Difs, and Depwade, particularly the two laft,
"eonfift almoft wholly of ftiff wet land, many villages having
<! fome land which may be called a mere clay." — I have admit-
ted that part of them are wet and full of fprings, and that they
have a mixture of clay. In general defcriptions of this fort,
every thing is comparative. If we contraft this diftriet with
the reft of the county, which is confeffedly fandy, Sir Thomas
may be right, but compared with Herefordfhire, the Vale of
Evefham, and other limilar diftrifts, where ablblute clays
abound, I ftill prefume to think I may be right.

(c) Mr. James and Mr. Wagftaff have in this place taken
notice of the bad tendency of large farms, but as I intend to
handle that fubjeft in a diftinft Icttion, I fhall hereafter avail
myfelf of their judicious remarks upon that great queftion.

iS AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section v.

ROADS, NAVIGATION, & RIVERS,

Jl HE roads ia this county, afford the farmer a
very great advantage over many other parts of
England, being free from Houghs, in ail parts (ex-
cept the marines), and though the foil is fandy, it
refills the preffure of the wheels at a fmall diflance
from the furface, and the ruts are kept (hallow at a
very little expence ; and after the longed and hard-
eft rain, become dry and plcafant in a few days,
which is not only an agreeable circumftance to a
traveller, but a great comfort to cattle in their
drift ; fo that I may venture to fay, that the roads
are better, in their natural (late, than in almofl any
other county ; fo good, that no turnpike vvas
thought of in Norfolk, till they became common in
moil other parts; fo good, that Charles II. when
he honoured the Earl of Yarmouth with a vifit
at Oxnead, is faid to have obferved (a), that Nor-
folk ought to be cut out in flips, to make roads
for the reft of the kingdom; by which he undoubt-
edly meant to compliment the county upon the

goodnefs

OF NORFOLK.. If

soodnefs of its roads, above other counties. In
fhort, the roads, though often called bad by Nor-
folk men, are fo good, comparatively with thofe in
other counties, that where the common ftatute
duty is fairly done, a traveller may crofs the coun-
try in any direction, in a poft-chaife, without dan-
ger ; and where the duty is not done, may trot his
horfe from one paiiih to another, at the rate of fix
miles an hour.

The fea navigation is undoubtedly another great
advantage to the agriculture of this county, as it
not only enables the farmer to avail himfelf of the
hvd of diflant markets, but in many inftances en-
ables him to procure an additional quantity of va-
luable manure. The county is bounded by the
fea from Yarmouth to the mouth of the Nene, be-
ing eighty miles, and there are four confiderable
fea-ports, independent of feveral fmaller places, of
landing and (hipping of goods : but as I mall have
occafion to fay a word or two, refpefting trade, un-
der the head of commerce, I (hall wave that fub-
jeci in this place.

The principal rivers are the Ouze, the Waveney,

the Vare, the Wenfum, and the Bure. The Great

Ouze is navigable from Lynn, twenty-four miles

i die county, and then communicates with

:: o\ the Midland counties; the Little Ou/e

bran >ut of the Great Ouze, and is navigable by

C Brandon

l8 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Brandon to Thetford (a); the Waveney from Yar-
mouth by Beccles to Bungay ; the Yare and Wenfum
from Yarmouth to the populous city of Norwich ;
and the Bure from Yarmouth to Aylfham : befides
which, there are feveral fmall cuts to private eltates..

Thefe inland navigations are of great ufe to indi-
viduals, and to fociety at large — they give aid to
agriculture, and fpirit to trade; and tend toleffen the
number of horfes, which are the greatefl devourers
of the produce of the earth : I could therefore wrifh
to fee them improved upon, and extended as far as
poffible, and it is a confideration worth the atten-
tion of the gentlemen of the county.

The moll obvious improvement of this fort,
which prefents itfelf, is that of extending the navi-
gation of the Wenfum from Norwich to Fakenham,,
which I believe is not only practicable, but would
be found to anfwer the expence extremely well, as
it would pafs through a corn country the whole
way, from which the corn is now conveyed a vail
way by land carriage : I am told there were formerly
fome fleps taken towards effecting this dcfirable
object;. I am at a lofs to know why it failed of
iuccefs, but fhould be glad to fee it revived without
lofs of time.

There is another great objecl of inland naviga-
tion, which perhaps deferves (lill greater attention.

For

OF NORFOLK. 1Q,

For this hint I am indebted to Mr. Colhoun, whofe
letter upon the fubjecl to Sir John Sinclair, is
clear, fenfible, and fo much to the purpofe, that 1
fhall take the liberty of making a large extract from
it, with which I fhall conclude this fe&ion. — " A
" plan was offered to parliament about five years
" fince, (but was rejected) by which it was pro-
" pofed to make a canal from the Brandon river,
u by Newmarket and Saffron Walden, to London.
*« It would have added more confiderable advantage
" to the county of Norfolk, than arifes from any
" of the river navigations before enumerated. The
" ports of Lynn and London would have been
•« united, by an eafy accefs to each other in the
<( courfe of a few days, to the mutual benefit of
•« both ; and in time of war, the eafl country trade
" would have found many inducements to make the
w port of Lynn, in order to pafs from thence to
<( London, thereby faving fome rifk of the fea,
"and danger from the enemy. The exuberant
" produce of the county, would have had a cheap
<c and expeditious transfer to the metropolis, where.
" thefe fupplies are fo effential to the fupport of its
" inhabitants, that without them they cannot exift.
" It appears by Mr. Kent's report, that the export
•■ of corn, grain, and flour, from Norfolk, is about
" 600,000 quarters annually, the greatefl part goes
" to the London market. It is eafier to conceive
M than lay down a rule, whereby to calculate all the
" benefit a country, fo rich in produce, would derive
C 2 " from

20 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

"from fuch a communication with diftant markets.
" The eftimate of faving in the price of land car-

• riage alone, is not exaggerated if taken at 200,000!.

• a year, befides the faving to arife in the various

• articles of merchandize, now carried in wagons
" to and from London. To detnonflrate this, it
" will be enough to flate, that the price of land
"carriage from Thetford (fituate on the Brandon
"river) to London, or back, is 4I. a ton; and by
" the propofed canal, the calculation was under
"20s. — a faving of near eighty percent. The like
" faving would have been made on all the articles
" of trade, extending to the city of Norwich, and
" every other place north of Thetford.

"If this bufinefs is again brought forward, I
" hope and truil there will be no exertions of in-
" fluence, to obflruct a canal that mufl be fo advan-
" tageous to the public, and, at the fame time, en-
" courage the agriculture of a county, that has al-
" ready diftinguimed itfelf, beyond any other in the
" kingdom."

Mr. Colhoun adds, " that white bricks, fimilar
" to thofe of Norfolk Houfe, are made near the
"propofed canal, and would be delivered at one-
"half the prefent price of that article in London."

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 21

JV O T E S.

(a) Sir Thomas Beevor fays, "might not this mean, that
<l the foil was fo dry and barren, as to be unfit for any other
" ufe than that of roads ? In this fenfe it has been by writers
<: always underftood/' If the furface had been a hot hungry
travel, the King's meaning might have been as Sir Thomas
feems inclined to conftrue it, but as it is chiefly a land, it is
not reafonable to fuppofe he would have conlidered that as the
belt material for road making. Befides, though the cultiva-
tion and produce of Norfolk was not then equal to what it
now is, there is a ftrong preemption to fuppole, that it was at
leaft upon an equal footing with the reft of the kingdom ; in-
deed, I am very much inclined to think it was, even then,
upon a fuperior footing, on account of its proximity to Flan-
ders, from whence our eailiefl lefions upon good husbandry
were brought.

(b) Mr. Fox makes a very pertinent obfervation in this
place, which it is incumbent on me to infert at length. lie
fays, " the diftance from Thetford to Bungay being but thirty-
" two miles, it feems, that a canal from one place to the other,
•* would effentially benefit the whole county, as the dreams of
f* theOuze and the Waveney flow towards each other, loas to
"leffen the diftance above fluted fome miles. It is fubmitted that
" this navigation might be cafily effected ; commerce would then
"circulate round the whole county, and confequently throw
M itstreafures into the heart of this and the neighbouring coun-
M ties." I am quite of Mr. Fox's opinion ; think this a very
eafy thing to accomplifh, as the fourccs of the two rivers are
only a few miles apart, and it would be as beneficial to the
north fide of Suffolk, as to the fouth fide of Norfolk, from
whence the corn in many places is now carried to IpfwiCQ
market, full twenty miles by land cat ridge.

2 2 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section vi.

MANURES AND THEIR APPLICA-
TION.

ANURING land is in all places a necefTary
part of hufbandry — rich land will not yield a long
fucceffion of crops without help — and poor land
requires it in the very outfet of its culture — confe-
quently the eafier this article can be obtained — the
greater is the advantage which a country derives
from it.

Marl is in general not only one of the bell fpecies
of manure, but one of the mofl lading; and the marl
of this county is a treafure to it, beyond what
many others counties poffefs; for though there are
large ftratums of marl in moll other counties, I
have never feen any of fo good a quality, or fo eafy
to be got at, as it is to be found in rnoft: parts of
this county, and in many places very near the fur-
face. Mr. Marihall, in his Rural (Economy of
Norfolk, a work of great merit, defcribes two forts
of marl, and enters into a chemical invefligation of
their natures. Suffice it, on the prefent occafion,

to

OF NORFOLK.

23

to fay, that it is of inetlimable value. Twelve cart
loads (a) to an acre of the white, or rather yellow
marl, will, the fecond year after it is laid on, change
the nature of land ; molt of the exhaulling weeds
which impoverifh the foil, and choak the corn in
its infancy, are effectually dellroyed (yj, as it has a
great tendency to keep land clean ; it braces the
pores of the earth clofer together, and increafes its
fertility to a furprifing degree ; its benefit, though
not to the effect it produces at firft, is felt for thirty
years, when a fecond marling, of about half the
original quantity, may with propriety be ufed; but
it has been found by experience, that it does bed
the fecond time compounded with muck or maiden
earth. I mould add, that as it is of a ponderous na-
ture, it fuits belt when fpread on lay land, by which
means it mixes fooner, and better, with the native foil.

The other fpecies of marl is, more properly
fpeaking, a clay, impregnated with marly particles,
and though good in quality, is certainly much infe-
rior to the other, as it requires more than double
the quantity to carry the fame improvement. But
I am inclined to think, this lall is more durable
than the former, not, however, from its quality,
but from its mixing better with the earth, and not
efcaping downwards fo foon.

There are likcwife, in fome parts of the county,
depolits of a brown and bluilli clay, which make

great

2.1 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

great improvement upon the light fands, but thofe
do not lie in fub-ftratums, like the marl in moft
parts of the county, but are only found in local
fpcts, and lometimes diicovered in the fea-banks.

Thofe formers who live near the fea, have lately
becan to make ufe of the fmall fand from the beach,
which they lay in the bottom of their yards, and
when their muck, which is made upon it, is fuffici-
entiy rotten, turn up the whole and mix it toge-
ther; but the more general practice is, to lay it a
foot deep in the (tables, during the fummer, and to
feed their hot fes with green vetches, in the ftabies,
the dung of which, being afterwards mixed up with
the land, makes a moft excellent manure, as well
for grafs, as arable land.

Thefe are the chief natural advantages, which are
poffeffed by this county.

River weeds, (an excellent manure for turnips)
foot, malt duft, and many other fimilar articles, it
has in common with other parts of England, with
which it is likewife upon an equal footing, refpe6fc-
ing the ordinary proportion of vegetable and ani-
mal manure, arifing from their crops and ftock. —
But a more general advantage might be obtained,
than what is now the practice, by imitating the
farmers of EfTex, in turning up the borders of their
corn-fields, and the banks of maiden earth in the

roads.

OK NORFOLK. 25

roads, and mixing them with their common yard
•muck, which would multiply their quantity of ma-
nure exceedingly, and do no manner of injury to
the fields or roads ; but by lowering the ground
at the fides of the fences, (where nothing of profit
grows) help to let the furface water into the ditches
the eafier.

There is another fource, which I here offer
more particularly to gentlemen who are in poffef-
£on of parks, plantations, and lands in hand, and
that is, to caufe a permanent fold, during the win-
ter months, to be pitched, in fome fheltered fpot,
near their woods, and to pen their (lore flock in it,
giving the fheep the quantity of hay they are ac-
cuflomed to have, in racks, in the fold, and litter-
ing it every night with frefh leaves of trees, with
ru flies, mofs, or any other fimilar rubbifh that c'an
be collected ; this turned up together, in the month
of April, and mixed with about one-fixth part of
lime, rubble from old walls, or any fort of afhes,
will make as good a fort of j.ianure as can be laid on
turnips — and the quantity will be very confiderable :
fuffice it, that on one of His Majefty's farms at
Windfor, I made, in one winter, fix hundred cart
loads from fix hundred fheep. Every gentleman,
however, who tries this, mult fet out with a deter-
mination not to be defeated by the prejudice or ob-
flinacy of their bailiffs and fhepherds, who will en-
deavour to perfuade them out of it, by fuggefting,

I) that

26 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

that it will not anfwer the expencc, and that it will
injure the ftieep, which laft will be an affertion
without the leaft foundation in truth.

I cannot quit this fubjefl without taking notice
of a very important hint, given by Dr. Hinton, of
Northwold, near Stoke, upon the fubjecl: of peat
and lime, which he recommends to be ufed as ma-
nures. His letter upon this, and fome other fub-
je&s, is too valuable to be fupprefled, I fhall there-
fore take the liberty to publifh it at length, in
the Appendix, and have only to add, by way of
flrengthening his argument, that I am of opinion
no manure whatever can be more fuitable on clover,
laid on early in the fpring, which, in general, not
only adds greatly to the crop of hay when mowed,
but infures a good crop of wheat in fucceffion — it
is likewife peculiarly good upon faint-foin, and, I
{hould apprehend, well adapted for turnips : as to
lime, I am of opinion, that it is always beft to
compound it with fome other fubflance, and with
maiden earth in preference to anv other.

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 2J

JV O T E S.

(a) Dr. Temple fays, "twelve loads is too fmall a quan-
" tity, I fiiould apprehend ; an hundred loads, with ten
"or twelve of muck, would be much better, if the foil is of
" a light fandy texture, and if it be clay, then it requires four
" or five times the quantity." I do not fay, that twelve loads
are of fo much value as more would be, but ftate it as a fa£t,
that twelve loads have the effeft I defcribe, which the Doc-
tor cannot deny. It mud have been in Staffordfhire, or
Chefhire, where the Doftor has feen this vaft quantity laid on,
where I believe it to be the cuftom ; but if twelve loads of
marl will do as much here, as an hundred there, it proves the
fuperior quality of the Norfolk marl, and makes for my argu-
ment, that it is a peculiar treafure to this county, which was
all that I prefumed to advance : however, I will venture to
alTert, that the quantity the Do&or recommends, would entire-
ly ruin the Norfolk foil,

(i) Mr. Strachey, Member for BHhop's Caftle, fays, "this
" being a faft, perhaps fome philofophical account might be
41 inferted, to (hew, why weeds mull be deftroyed by marl,
" though it caufes other plants to vegetate and flourilh." I
hope this remark, which is a very pertinent one on the occa-
sion, will excite the attention of fome perfon capable of an-
fwcring the queflion.

D2

28 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

§>ecttou vii.

TENURES AND THEIR PROPOR-

tiojsts.

AT is almoft impoflible to give the different pro-
portions of each tenure, in fo extenfive a county
as Norfolk ; I muft therefore be allowed to take it
partly upon conjecture, and partly upon a compa-
rative examination of the particular diftricls with
which I arn moft acquainted ; from which, I fliall
make the following deductions : —

The copyhold is of two forts,- the one fubjecl: to,
what is called here, an arbitrary fine, that is, a fine
at the will of the lord, who, upon fiich eflates,
generally takes near two years value on defcent,
and a year and a half on alienation :- — this copy-
hold is confidered in value, about five years Pnort
of freehold. The other copyhold, is only fubjecl;
to a fine certain, fo that a lord of a manor can
feldom take more than four millings an acre, and
fometimes only fixpence: — this is nearly of equal
value to freehold.

The

OF NORFOLK.

29

The money rents are, in mod in fiances, eafy
and light, but a corn rent is ibmetimes referved,-
which comes heavy.

Heriots, generally fpeaking, are not known in
this county, which is a happy circum fiance, as they
are, unqueftionablv, the moil cruel badges that re-
main of the ancient feudal fyftem.

There is forne leafehoM, for terms of year?, under
the bifhop and dean and chapter of Norwich, and
corporate bodies; lome little under other eccle-
fiaflical and collegiate bodies, not refidcnt in the
county; but very little on lives, and that little
only under the church or colleges.

The practice which lay-lords have of leafing
their eftates upon lives, in the weftern counties, is
in no inftance, that I know of, followed in this
county ; though it is to be much wifhed, that it was
the cuftom with refpect to cottages, 3s it would be
the bed means of making them more comfortable
than they are.

Confidering the whole of the county, perhaps I
fhall not be much wide of truth, if I Hate the freei-
hold lands to be three-fifths ; the church, collegiate,
and corporate eltates, at one other fifth j and the
remaing fifth copyhold, under lay-,lo;ds.

With

30 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

With refpecl; to obfervation upon the effe£t
of thefe different tenures, I fhall, perhaps, appear
unpopular, in the eyes of thofe whofe dottrine it is
to recommend throwing large tra&s of land into a
few hands, if I prefume to fay, that I think, fince
the flavery of the ancient feudal fyftem has been
abolifhed, and the courts of law have difcouraged ex-
cefiive fines and immoderate heriots, molt of thefe
fubordinate tenures have their advantage in fociety ;
by keeping up a fort of barrier againft the mono-
poly of land, they tend to keep eftates diftincl:, and
preferve fome lots of land, to which fmall capitals
and induftry are molt applicable. This is undoubt-
edly a great argument in favor of collegiate and cor-
porate tenures, for as thefe bodies have at moil
only a life intereft in the eftates, a life no fooner
drops, by which the eftates are held, than they are
ready to renew with the leftee by adding another,
and in general upon fair conditions.

This is not fo, under a lay-lord, whofe objeft
is to form a great freehold eftate, by annihilating
thefe fmaller obje&s. — It is, however, to be wifhed,
that the ftewards, who hold the courts in this coun-
ty, could be taught a little moderation in fetting
their fees ; which are higher in general than in any
other county I am acquainted with. — It might alfo
be further urged in fupport of thefe tenures, that
a copyholder or leftee, on lives, having his own
life, and perhaps that of a wife and child in his

eftate

OF NORFOLK. 31

eftate, is naturally encouraged to make more folid
improvements upon his land, than where he is
only tenant at will, or upon a ftiort term of years.
— He will alfo be better enabled, in the firft in-
fiance, to marry, and much encouraged to do it,
becaufe he has a more certain profpect. of fup-
porting a family; for, in cafe of his own death,
his wife or child would not be deprived of the pof-
feflion. — Thofe who deny the force of this argu-
ment mud, I think, wilfully fhut their fenfes againft
reafon and convittion.

Another fair argument in favour of copyhold is,
the greater certainty of its title, and the cheapnefs
of its conveyance compared to that of freehold,
which is no trifling confideration.

32 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section vm.

ARABLE LAND, AND COURSE OF
CROPPING.

JLN my general eftimation of the quantity of ara-
ble land, I have fuppofed the whole to be about
two-thirds of the county, or 729,600 acres, of
which, perhaps, about three parts out of the four
may be incloled ; the other fourth part in common
fields.

The landlord generally wilhes to fix the ma-
nagement and courfe of cropping under a fix-
courfe fhift, viz. wheat the firft year — barley or
oats the fecond, without clover — turnips the third
— barley or oats, with clover, the fourth — the
clover mowed for hay the fifth — and the fixth
grazed till Midfummer, and then broken up for
wheat in fucceffion.

But the occupier will often endeavour to contract
it to a five-courfe fhift, by fowing his wheat upon
clover of one year's lay, and in fome of the belt

parts,

OF NORFOLK. 33

parts, as in the Flegg, Tunflead, and Blofield
hundreds, fome tenants carry on only a four-courfe
fhift: thus, wheat, turnips, barley, and clover*
This laft, is fimilar to the practice of great part of
Flanders, where the invariable method is, to carry
an alternate crop for man and beaft, but as land,
though ever fo good, will grow tired of a too fre-
quent repetition of turnips and clover (a)t fome
inconvenience is occafionally fuftained ; to remedy
which, they will do well to change the former of
thefe, now and then, for a vetch crop, and the lat-
ter for trefoil or lucern. — No courfe of hufbandry
can be more profitable than this, where the foil
will allow it; and there are many parts of this
county where it may be carried on without doing
any injury to the land. I confider the five-courfe
fhift to be more unfair than the four ; becaufe, in
this cafe, there are three crops of corn, to two
crops for the animal. This mode of cropping
would be better, if the barley crop, after wheat, was
fometimes changed for buck wheat, or potatoes,
which would neither be an unprofitable or exhauft-
ing crop j and thus a little varied, the practice of a
five-courfe cropping might be allowed, in the parts
where the foil is good in quality ; or where any extra-
quantity of manure can be procured, which is fome-
times the cafe in the vicinity of towns, or near lea
or river navigations, or where a gentleman occupies
a park with a farm, or a farmer a large portion of
down ; but in the great weftern parts of the county,

E the

34 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

the courfe of fix fhifts ought to be ftrictly adhered
to ; and there is fomething very rational in this fix-
Vourfe hufbandry upon a light foil, for though the
exhaufting and fertilizing crops, do not follow al-
ternately, as in the four-courfe fhift, yet there is an
equal number of each obferved in the rotation. I
think, however, in the very light parts of the coun-
ty, that a feven-courfe fhift would be an improve-
ment, but I do not mean by letting the land remain
three years laid, as fame have recommended, be-
caufe the Norfolk land does not yield much profit
from grafs feeds after the firft year : but I would
rather recommend the following courfe : — wheat,
vetches, barley, buck, turnips, barley, clover (b) ;
this would keep the turnips and clover crops at
fuch a diflance, that there would be no fear of their
fuccefs ; and, as the buck might be confidered as a
neutral crop, the alternate advantage would not,, in
fact, be loft in its good effecl:. I believe too, that
by means, of the vetches, which might be fed off
the whole fummer, more ftock would be kept on
very light land, than from the prefent fix- courfe
fhift;, and where a flock is kept, it never can be
employed fo well, as in penning upon this fort of
light land, as foon as the wheat or rye be fown,
efpecially if the fowing be upon one ploughing ; in.
fuch cafe, it is be ft to begin rather early, and
fow by degrees, as many ridges each time, as the
breadth of the fold will cover.

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 35

Jf

1 ±J b.

(a) Sir Thomas Beevor remarks in this place, that the com-
plaint I here allude to, is not known in the part of Norfolk
where he refides, which I am glad to hear ; but, I am forry
to fay, that in all parts where I am moil familiar, it is other-
wife. Sir Thomas's obfervation is as follows: — t; Such com-
" plaint refpefting turnips is perfectly new, to the writer of
'* thefe remarks, around whom, the farmers in the hundreds
" of Humilyard, Henftead, and Depwade, commonly unrig
<: the four-courfc fhift of an alternate crop for man and bead,
" have felt no fuch milchief. This mode of hufbandry, there-
*f fore, cannot be too ftrongly recommended, as it will not
" only keep the land clean from weeds, enable the farmer to
<! keep a larger flock of cattle, (from which he raifes his ma-
"nure, thereby enfuring himfelf a greater produce of corn,)
" but, it is alfo advantageous, by dividing the work upon the
" farms into fuch portions, as require to be attended to, at
i: different periods of the year, whereby the buhnefs is car-
'•riedon with lefs hurry, as well as with fewer horfes and
" men."

(5) Mr. Baillie obferves, " In this rotation, th.Gre is nothing
"to keep flock upon in fummer, efpccially Cheep." What
better feed can fheep have than vetches ? which would be on
one-feventh part of the farm, and might be eaten off the
whole of the fummer, bclklcs the feed of the clover, after
mowing it for hay.

3$ AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section ix.

MODES OF CULTURE,

*-£'©S£®5e

Jl LOUGH I NG is certainly done with much
greater eafe in this county than any other, and
much cheaper, as it does not {land the fanner in
above 4s. an acre for each tilth. There is no
inflance of more than two horfes being put to a
plough : the fame perfon who holds the plough
drives the horfes alfo with reins. ftZj* See the de~
Jcriptive Jketch of it.

The horfes are fhort and compact, but a&ive
and hardy, and feldom exceed fifteen hands. In-
flead of working them feven hours in winter
and eight in fummer, as they do in mofl other
counties, without drawing their bits, they are
worked eight hours in winter and ten in fummer,
by two journies as they are termed, which enable
them to do considerably more than they would by
one journey, as it is evident that a horfe would go
two twelve-mile flages a-day upon the road, with
as much e fe, for a constancy, as he would twenty
miles at one ftage ; betides, the heat in fummer is
more avoided by this means. The common day's

work

I*

~>

—

OF NORFOLK. 37

work for two horfes is a ftatute acre, and, in times
of feeding, it is very common to plough an acre
and an half.

One man looks after four horfes and drives two
of them ; the other two are driven by a day la-
bourer, who does little jobs about the yard, at
the interval, while his horfes reft, and in the even-
ing. This mode is worth imitation in all other
light parts of England.

As ploughing is done here with fo much
eafe, it is an encouragement to the farmer to give
it the more tilths, which, in fome meafure accounts
for the land being fo clean ; but I apprehend
there is another reafon, which is, the (hallow
ploughing obferved in this county, compared with
many other parts of England. Land is undoubt-
edly kept cleaner (a) by fhallow than deep plough-
ing, and, in light land, the moifture is more
preferved by having a pan at the bottom ; and
there is likewile a much lefs body of earth to ma-
nure and keep in heart. The great fecret with
ploughed land feems to be in keeping it fo clean
that nothing (hall grow but what is ("own upon it;
and to keep the furface in a pulverized (late, fo as
to be open and mellow to receive benefit from the
influence of the atmofphere.

In

38 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

In treating of the procefs in feeding, I fhall
begin with wheat. This is partly dibbled and
partly fovvn broad-call : the former is not in fo
high eftimation as it was fome years fince ; but I
am of opinion, that when wheat is planted upon
clover of only one year's lay, it is the beft prac-
tice, efpecially if the dibblers are well looked
after, for in this cafe it will admit of a faving of
a bufhel of corn to an acre. This faving is an
important advantage, as a bufhel of wheat is
enough to fupport a man two months, as the ave-
rage confumption is fix buihels a-year to every
human mouth (b) ; and if we value the bufhel of
wheat which is faved, at fix millings, the farmer is
only four and lixpence out of pocket, as he can
have it done very well for half-a-guinea an acre,
and the corn is generally better bodied, and fome*
what heavier. For better information upon this
commendable practice, I beg leave to refer my
readers to the letters of John Burkin Burroughes,
Etc.. Mr; Wagftaff, Mr. Baker, and Mr. Varlo,
in the Appendix, where the method is fully ex-
plained j and I hope other counties will not fail
in adopting it.

When wheat is fown upon one year's lay, it
never has but one ploughing ; and when it is
fown upon a fecond year's lay, it feidom has but
two. The old practice was, to break up the fecond
year's lay foon after the fpring grafs was eaten off;

but

OF NORFOLK. 3 9

but now it is feldom touched till after Lammas, and
then the bed way is juft to pare up part of the
fward by a fort of half ploughing crofs the ridges,
juft curling the ploughed part over the unbroken
part, in an inverted ftate, and, when the turf is
deadened, to crofs-harrow it ; and at the wheat-
feeding to plough it up, in the ftraight way of the
ridges, to its full and proper depth. The turf by
this means falls to the bottom, and operates as an
affiflant manure. I have nothing to recommend in
addition to this practice, but that the farmer mould
take care not to be too late ; as it has been re-
marked, that, as near the time as pofiible that na-
ture fheds any particular feed, it always grows with
more certainty (c), and therefore lefs feed is re-
quired, when fown early, than when fown late :
about Michaelmas is the height of the feafon here ;
it never mould be delayed above a fortnight after.

The barley is, at all times, put into the ground
in excellent condition. When it follows wheat,
the Hubble generally has turnips thrown upon it
till Chriftmas, when it is fcale ploughed in two
furrow ridges ; and afterwards has four earths.

But the great piece of hufbandry in which Nor-
folk excels, is in the management of turnips, from
which it derives an ineftimablc advantage. This
important crop is the great fource of abundance to
the country, and has been gradually rifing to per-
fection

40 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

feclion in its cultivation, for upwards of feventy
years. Not only this county, but many other
parts of England, are indebted to the Townfhend
family, for the original introduction of this root
into this country. Before that time, turnips were
only cultivated in gardens and fmall fpots, and
hoed by gardeners ; but in the reign of George I.
the then Lord Vifcount Townfhend, grandfather of
the prefent noble Marquis, attended the King to
Hanover, in the quality of Secretary of State, and
obfervincr the advantage of this valuable root, as
there cultivated at that time, and the fertility it
produced, brought the feed and practice into Eng-
land, and recommended it flrongly to his own te-
nants, who occupied a fimilar foil to that of Han-
over. The experiment fucceeded, and by degrees,
it gradually fpread over this county, and, in the
courfe of time, to other parts of England, though
their cultivation is by no means fo general as it con-
tinues here. A good acre of turnips in Norfolk
will produce between thirty and forty cart loads,
as heavy as three horfes can draw ; and an acre
will fat a Scotch bullock (d), from forty to fifty
Hone, or eight fheep. — But the advantage of this
crop does not end here, for it generaliy leaves
the land fo clean, and in fuch fine condition, that
it almoft infures a good crop of barley and a kind
plant of clover ; and the clover is a moil excellent
preparative for wheat, fo that in the fubfequent
advantages, the value of the turnip can hardly be
efli mated.

I with

OF NORFOLK. 4l

I with I could clofe this fhort hiftory of turnips,
-without lamenting, that the ground does not re-
]ifh them fo well as formerly, lb that great care is
necelTary in raifing them, and more feed is requir-
ed ; and after all, it is a teafing and precarious
crop, and admits of no certain rules to enfure abfo-
lure fuccefs ; though fome cautions may be worth
itating in this place. The firft ploughing fhould
not be later than Chriftmas, and fhould be to its
full depth, unlefs the land is foul, in which cafe it
fhould be ploughed very lhallow the firft time, in
two furrow ridges, and the fecond time to the full
depth ; but it mould never be ploughed in wet
weather. After the firft fallow has received the be-
nefit of the froft and fnow, it fhould be harrowed
down in March. The next ploughing fhould be
as foon as the barley fowing is over, and it fhould
have five earths in all ; the laft ploughing but one,
the dung is ploughed in very mallow, and rolled
down ; and the laft mould be about a fortnight
after, not later, as the muck will about that time
begin to ferment. About twelve loads to an acre
is a proper dieifing. There is, perhaps, no part
of huibandry more deferving of imitation by the
reft of England than this (e). Some perfons ufe
rape-cake for turnip manure j and Mr. Styleman,
of Snettifham, a gentleman of confiderable fortune,
who farms part of his eftatc upon a large fcale, and
is trying many ingenious experiments, ufes it in a
pulverized ftale, to which he reduces it by means

F of

42 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

of two mills, worked by two women, each mill be-
ing formed of two cylinders, revolving towards
each other. The firjft breaks the cake into pieces
of the fize of a walnut, by the operation of cogged
cylinders ; the iecond is con{lru61ed of plain caft-
iron cylinders, fitnilar to thofe ufed for grinding
clay to make bricks. Thus reduced to powder, he
puts it into the very drills, where he had jufl be-
fore depofited the turnip feed, by means of Cook's
machine, which requires no other contrivance or
alteration,, than fubitituting different cups and fun-
nels. The quantity of cake ufed is a quarter of a
ton per acre, which has never exceeded ll. 5s. in its
price. He allured me, that this method had never
failed to infure him a good crop, and that it does
equally well for wheat.

River weeds and fedge, have lately been ufed to
very great effect, for turnips, by Mr. Coke, and
Mr. Branthwaite, of Taverham, who alFure me,
that no manure whatever anfwers better. They
are flrewed on the ground, in their wet ftate, as
loon as they are taken out of the water j, if the
land be of a dry nature, there is no fear of any
aquatic feeds taking root in it ; but if the land be
of a cold or wet nature, abounding in lprings, I
fhould think this manure ought to be ufed with
great caution.

Having

OF NORFOLK. 43

Having Rated, that turnips came into this coun-
try from Hanover, one would naturally expect, that
they were managed to great perfection there, at this
time ; but I doubt this is not the cafe, for I had
this fummer the honour to be introduced to a very
intelligent Hanoverian nobleman, at Windfor,
Count Hardenberg, who was very inquifitive into
the ftate of Agriculture in England, and upon my
converfing with him about turnips, I found that
they did not know the ufe of them there, at this
time fo well as we do, which is a matter of iurprife,
that an article of fuch great benefit mould ever fie-
cline in repute ; I doubt it mull have arifen from
the ground growing tired of them ; for which rea-
fon, I recommend our Englifh farmer to break the
fucceffion of the crops, now and then, by lubftitu-
ting vetches, or potatoes, in lieu of them, which may
be eafily done without interruption to the fucceflion
of his corn crops ; and by this means, I am of opi-
nion, this moft valuable root may be permanently
eftabliflied in our fyilem of Agriculture.

Hoeing is another effential part of the culture,
which is invariably done twice, in a mafterly man-
ner, at the expence of 6s. an acre; and I have
never feen it done fo well in any other part, except
in Suffolk and Effex.

Many things have been fuggefted, to guard

againit the attack of the fly, but there is no depcn-

F 2 dencc

44 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

dence to be placed on any of them {/), the only-
precaution confifts, in ploughing the land till it is
very fine, and filling it full of muck. The turnip
has alfo another powerful enemy, which is the
black canker. Some people draw a rope over the
ridges, two perfons holding the oppofite ends; this
will brufh them off", and fometimes fave a few
acres ; but thofe who can breed ducks enow,
may fave a greater proportion, as they devour them
very fall. There is alfo another remedy, which, I
am informed from the belt authority, is praftifed
in fome parts of Yorkfhire ; viz. gathering the in-
feci by hand; which is done from 5s. to 8s. an
acre. Women and children being employed in
this ufeful bufinefs at 6d. a day, the women ; and
the children, at 3d. and 4d. each, according to
their ages.

Having thus defcribed the culture of turnips, it
may not be amifs to add a word reflecting their
confumption. In general, they are drawn, and
given to neat cattle, either in cribs or flails, which
is productive of a vafl quantity of muck; or elfe
they are fcattered before them, as well as the fat-
tening fheep, upon a dry piece of pafture or flub-
ble ; and of late years, it is become common, to
flrew them before cattle upon the young wheat,
and, upon light land, I believe there can be no
better hufbandry; by which means, they go much
farther than they would, if trodden into the dirt,

and

OF NORFOLK. 45

and enrich the land very much upon which they
are fo thrown; it being underflood, in Norfolk,
that the land wherein they grow, is left in fuffici-
ent heart, by the manure bellowed upon it for the
turnips : fo that it is apparent, that by manuring
one piece of land, they manure two. Indeed,
where the land is poor, they draw every other
ridge, and feed the other off with fheep, as in other
counties; but this is not by any means the gene-
ral practice (g).

The barley, after turnips, is generally fown upon
a third ploughing (A), and the grafs feeds with it;
and as the ground has been effectually cleaned, by
five ploughings, the preceding year, it is generally
in a fine flate when laid down in this manner.

I fhall clofe the whole procefs with an obfer-
vation upon the clover: — This, upon the fix courfe
ihift, is generally mowed for hay the firfl year;
and the fecond year, it is grazed till midfummer,
and then broke up for wheat in fucceffion. Where
the four or five-courfe fhih is pradlifed, the wheat
is fown upon one year's lay, and it is thought
good hufbandry to muck or a(h the clover, in the
fpring, juft before it is laid up for mowing, which
of courfe produces a very great crop of hnv, and
leaves the ground in a very high condition, for
the fucceeding crop ot wheat.

NOTES.

46 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

JV* O T E S.

(a) Upon this fubjeft, there are three gentlemen who differ
from me. Sir Thomas Beevor afferts, that " fhallow plough-
" ing is in moft cafes difapproved of by judicious farmers,
" quotes garden ground, and fuppofes the moifiure will be
" more preferved the lower the pan lies from the furface." —
Mr. Howlett admits, that " it may do very well in Effex,
" Suffolk, and Norfolk, but thinks, in the deep Kentifh foils,
" that thirties would never be effectually checked by fhallow
"ploughings." — Mr. Fox thinks, that "the pabulum imbibed
" from the atmofphere, is proportioned to the depth of the
"furrow, becaufe a greater furface of earth is hereby ex-
" pofed to its influence. Plants alfo thrive beft where
"they fhoot with freedom, and this they do more effe&ually,
*c it is fubmitted, when the foil is loofened to adue depth."
For trees and plants of deep root, the depth which thefe
gentlemen recommend, is unqueftionably proper ; but, with
deference to their opinion, I do not think it neceffary for
the production of corn. It is not, however, from mere
opinion, that I have advanced this doftrine, but from very
extenfive obfervation. — The allufion to gardens will not hold
good in this cafe, as the foil there is always kept in motion by
the fpade or hoe.

The parts of England, which I have feen, are cleaner, that
is, more free from weeds, where the foil is ploughed only to
eight inches depth, and a good pan preferved under it, than
where it is ploughed to a greater and irregular depth.

In many parts of Cornwall, the land is exceedingly fruitful,
where the foil is very fhallow, and it may be worth obferva-
tion

OF NORFOLK.

47

tion, that even hand hoeing often cleans land more than deep
ploughing ; for the latter only turns the roots of the weeds
over, which gives them frefh vigour, by the motion, but the
latter more effectually deftroys them, by bleeding them (if I
may be allowed the expreffion) at the neck of the root. An-
other ftrong argument, in my opinion, in favour of fhallow
ploughing, or rather, againft very deep ploughing, is, that
there is a lefs body of earth to keep in heart and good condi-
tion, and the manure, which has always a tendency to elcape
downwards, is kept longer near the furface.

(£) The following remark is made by Sir Thomas Beevor.
" A quarter of wheat, weighing 60 lb. to the bufhel, pro-
" ducing about 480 lb. of white bread, (the only bread the
11 poor fhould eat) will give about 19 oz. per diem, which is
" as little as can well be allowed to each perfon, being almoft
" the only food of the poor, and in the houfes of induflry and
" prifons the allowance is not lefs than 2 lb. and if lb. per
" diem, fix bufhels therefore, which will give but about 15
" oz. per diem, it is apprehended, is beneath the quantity
" confumed." I believe Sir Thomas is quite right, if his re-
mark is applied merely to the labourers in agriculture, allow-
ing them white bread only ; but, if the whole of the fuperior,
middling, and manufacturing claffes of mankind, who eat
plenty of meat, be taken into the calculation ; and ftandard,
inftead of white bread, be eaten, I do not think that, one
with another, more is confumed than fix bufhels by one per-
fon in the courle of a year.

(c) Mr. Howlett favs, " fome perfons in this neighbourhood,
" (meaning Dunmow, in Effex,) fo far reverfe this practice,
" that they prefer year old wheat to new, and think that they
" thereby (ccurc their crop more effectually from being fmit-
" ten. '1 his, perhaps, merits further enquiry." This gen-
tleman has totally mid uk'.-n my meaning. I do not lay .mv

thin-*

48 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

thing about any preference to old or new wheat, but merely
recommend the proper feafon for fowing, by taking a hint
from nature, inferring, that lefs feed will anfwer the purpofe
when the proper feafon is attended to.

fd) Dr. Temple fays, " it ought to be a very good acre,
*' and of good quality to do this. In the ftalls it may do it."

(«) Mr. Baillie fays, " many parts, both of England and
" Scotland, practice a much better." I wifh for the advan-
tage of Norfolk, that this gentleman had been more particular
in pointing out thofe particular parts, and till he does it, I muft
doubt the fact ; for, if he is right, I have taken a great deal of
unnecellary pains in defcribing and holding out the Norfolk
i'vftem of turnips, as deferving imitation by the reft of Eng-
land.

(/) Lord Rofeberry remarks, that "rolling in the night
" has been ufed with fuccefs on turnips, when in their firft
"leaf."

(g) Sir Thomas Beevor further obferves, that " the beft
"farmers, near Norwich, efpecially where the lands are rich
"and moift, feed their bullocks chiefly in yards, which have
" Iheds erected in them, under which binns and racks are
"placed, whereby the cattle, kept dry and warm, thrive
" fafter with lefs food, and with lefs wafte of hay and fodder."
In this method I entirely agree with Sir Thomas, and think
the cheapeft and beft way of fattening a bullock, is to give
him plenty of turnips, in cribs, in an open yard, with plenty of
barley or oat ftraw, in a rack under a fhed, where he cart
take fhelter when the weather is bad. A beaft treated in this
way, will do as well, having his liberty with plenty of tur-
nips and ftraw, as he will, confined in a flail with turnips
and hay.

(A) To

OF NORFOLK.

49

(A) To Sir Thomas Beevor's remark on my former edition,
in this place, where I had flated, that the cuftom was to fow
barley after turnips, upon two ploughings, it is incumbent on
me to acknowledge my miftake, and to allow, that Sir Thomas
was right in faying, it fhould be three ploughings, which I
have now ftated it to be.

50 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

X.

GRASS LAjYD—JVITH HLYTS FOR
ITS IMPROVEMENT.

JL HE meadows, are the firit fort of grafs land in
the county, which I fhall endeavour to defcribe ;
they are, in many parts of the county, reckoned
much inferior in value to the arable land, and,
in general, they are very much neglected.

In their natural Hate, they make a bad appear-
ance, being fpongy and full of rufhes; yet they
are feldom wet in themfelves, but chiefly fo from
being dript upon by the fprings which iflue out of
the arable land which lies above them. The belt
mode of draining thefe meadows, is to keep the
rivulet open to a free difcharge in the lowefr
parts (a)y and to cut two very deep drains, one on
each fide, parallel with the rivulet, juft between
the arable and meadow land, where the fprings
generally (hew themfelves ; and thefe two drains,
if they are funk deep enough to get below the
fprings, will, nine times out of ten, lay the mea-
dows dry.

The

OF NORFOLK. 51

The Eflex mode of under-ground draining, from
the loofe pulverized flate of the foil, has not been
found to anfwer here fo well, as upon a more co-
hefive foil, nor is there any other which does fo
well for the meadows, as what I here defcribe ; but
where the plough goes, if the land be wet, or full
of fprings, the Eifex mode is bed, and flones,
when they can be met with, are, in fuch cafes, to
be prefered to wood.

The next thing, if they pre very coarfe, is to
fpread upon them ten or twelve loads of fmall
gravel or fand, per acre, which will tend more than
any thing to give them flrmnefs, fine the furface,
and fweeten the herbage, by encouraging what is
called the Dutch clover to fpring, with which the
earth is everywhere impregnated. I have found,
by confiderable experience, that this is the belt
improvement for Norfolk meadows. Mr. Marfhall
recommends watering, and fays it would double
their value ; Mr. Cclhoun, *nd fome other fpirited
gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Thetford,
have lately introduced the practice there, to which
I wifh moft hearty fuccefs, but am much inclined
to doubt its being extended to any great benefit in
this county, for I have tried it more than once.
It is an improvement that ought to be introduced
rever circumflanc.es are in its favour, but I
i not found it anfwer here, for two fubftanti.il
teafonsj becaufe the country is fo fiat that you

cannot
G 2

£2 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

cannot bring the water on with a fufBcient fpirit ;
and if you could, the foil is fo dead, it would not
have the effecl; it has upon a gravel. It is the
firfl of all improvements, undoubtedly, where it
can be effected, and where the foil is of a quick
and lively nature, it generally anfwers, if it be
ever fo poor.

The marm-land comes next under confideration.
The greateft part of the hundred of Freebridge
Marfh-land may be confidered of this kind. — The
chiefefl part of this foil is a rich ooze, evidently a
deposit from the fea. The north part of this
hundred is highly productive ; but the fouth part
very much injured, for want of a better drainage,
which it is now likely to have, as a recent a6f. of
parliament for this, and other purpofes, has been
lately obtained.

A fecond divificn of Marfh-land, lies upon the
north coair, between ^rancafter and Cley. Thefe
are of a very good quality ; but they are kept em-
banked at a very considerable expence, for if the
fea were to overflow them, they would be ruined
for a very coniiderable time.

Another very considerable di Ariel: of marfh-land,
lies between Norwich and Yarmouth; moft of
which are under water the greateft part of the win-
ter, and, in the fpring of the year, are chiefly
drained by mills.

All

OF NORFOLK. 53

All thefe marfhes are capable of bringing a bead
very forward, in the courfe of the fuinmer, and
many of them will fat a bullock at the rate of an
acre and an half.

There are many large tra&s of fwampy ground,
particularly in the neighbourhood of Ludham,
which produce little more at prefent than fedge
and reed. Perhaps the intermixed flate of thefe
lands may be the principal caufe of their drain-
age being necdecled ; but their lofs to the public
is very much to be lamented, as there is no doubt
but they would very well anfwer the expence of
improvement.

A fhort obfervation upon gentlemens' parks may
not be improper in this place. — In many parts,
they are inclined to run to mofs, as the foil in
general is not naturally adapted to herbage. —
Folding fheep, or ftrewing turnips before neat
cattle is a great and obvious improvement upon
fuchland; and occafional harrowing, ar.d frequent
rollino-, is likewife much to be recommended.
The former loofens the mofs, and the latter, by its
preffure, gives great encouragement and afii fiance
to the annual meadow and creftcd dog-tail, two
of our bell upland grailes.

A certain number of fheep fhould likewife be
kept, at leaft part of the year, in all parks, not-

withftanding

54 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

withftanding deer arc kept likewife ; for no ani-
mal tends fo much to the bettering of land, as
they line and fweeten it infinitely beyond any
other.

Artificial graffes fhould be chofen agreeably to
the foil.

Saint foin, fhould be introduced where there is
a chalky, marly, or even a gravelly bottom. —
White clover fhould be the principal grafs where
land is defigned to be laid for a continuance. —
Trefoil and burnet, upon high and poor uplands,
defigned for fheep walks. — Perennial darnel, or
what the farmers call rye-grafs, is proper upon
light arable land; for though it is an exhaufter,
it ferves better than any other to brace the fur-
face. — A few acres of lucerne I likewife recom-
mend to every farmer, who has a piece of loamy
tillage near his houfe.

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. $$

JV* O T E S.

(a) Sir Thomas Beevor fays— "Thefe direaions are moft
** judicious, and have, on long and repeated experience, been
" found efficacious.''

(Jb) Dr. Temple is for laying on a much larger quantity,
and favs, " 60, 80, nay 100 loads of fand will be found necef-
" fary, after drainage, to effeft a cure for fuch land, and to
P make it firm and fruitful." The Dr. in my opinion, would
much over do the thing — though, if the expencc be out of
the queftion, I have no objection to twenty loads. It is not
fo much for adding depth to the foil, as for giving encourage-
ment to the white clover, by checking the rougher herbage
on the furface, which chokes and overpowers it. Sir Tho-
mas Beevor conceives my meaning much better, where he
fays, '; Such quantity may fo far invigorate the Dutch clover
«• (the plants of which, though exifting before, were fo dimi-
M nutive as to have efcaped obfervation) as to render it con-
u fpicuous ; which is, I conceive, what the author of tins
" view meant, when he fays — that the earth is every where
*s impregnated with it."

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xi.

AVERAGE CROPS, AND SCALE OF
RENT.

JL HERE are fome parts of Marfhland and the
Flegg hundreds, which will produce fix quarters of
wheat, and ten of oats, upon an acre j but, in very-
light parts of the county, the farmer is glad to get
two quarters of wheat, and three of barley. How-
ever, I believe the general average crops of the
whole county, one year with another, may be efti-
mated as high as three quarters of wheat and four
of barley, and other articles in proportion (a).

In fonie parts of Marfhland, there is a confider-
able deal of rape feed grown : in the parifhe*
of Outwell, Upwell, Emneth, and fome others in
the neighbourhood of Wifbeach, there is Iikewile
a conliderable deal of hemp and flax fown. The
average produce of the former is about forty-five
Hone, and the latter about forty, which are valuable
crops. Thefe articles are of national importance,
and if properly confidered, no injury to the land ;

for

OF NORFOLK. 57

for when they are cautioufly interwoven with
other crops, fo as not to come round above once
in ten or twelve years, it would be well if the cul-
tivation of them were more general.

No population can be greater, or of a more ufe-
ful fort, than that which is raifed and fupported by
a countrv, where this practice prevails ; as may be
proved, by reference to many parts of Somerfet-
fliire, Dorfetfhire, and Yorkfhire, where it occa-
fions fo much profitable labour, that no perfon, in
fuch a fituation, wants employ.

Refpe&ing the fcale of rent, it is the mod diffi-
cult queftion to anfwer, with precifion, of any the
Board requires ; for there is nothing fo unequal in
the kingdom, as the rent of land. Corn, and all
articles of merchandize, preferve fome degree of
proportion; but the price of land, is fo much
affected by local circumftances, that it has no
regular (landard, though it would be a great ad-
vantage to agriculture if it had. Perfons of fmall
o o

fortune, and tradefmen, when polfeffed of a little
land, are naturally induced to get as much as pof-
fible for it j and farmers, above all others, when
they become owners, make the worit landlords in
the kingdom (/;). It is therefore to large eftates,
that we arc to look for moderation in rents (c), as
they are gi nerally let upon a fair and confident
From this confideration, more than any
H other,

58 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

other, great eflates are of advantage to the public,
as they have a tendency to keep the price of land
down to a proper level, which otherwife would, in
many places, become fo exceflive, as to give no
encouragement to an induftrious occupier.

As to the general flandard however, of rents iri
this county, fubject to poor rates and tythes, I be-
lieve it varies from 20s. to 16s. an acre, in the firfi
divifion of the county, which I have defcribed*
from 1 8s. to 14s. in the fecond ; from 14s. to 8s. in
the third ; from 12s. to 4s. in the fourth; and, in the
Marfliland hundred, from 30s. to 20s. The ave-
age of the whole county is about 15s. ; and though
this would be a dear rent, for the fame foil, in mod
other counties, the nature of the hulbandry, and
the induury of the inhabitants, render it eafy, and
rents are better paid in this county, than in almoft
any other, as there is hardly any fuch thing as
an arrear known ; at the fame time, the farmers
live, as they are entitled to do, with comfort.

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 59

J\T O T E s.

{a) Sir Thomas Bccvor fays, " the average of the wheat
" crop is certainly fet too high, as there is a great deal of
" land, in this county, fown with wheat, which is too light
"and poor to produce above 12 or 14 bufhels per acre; it is
« apprehended, that z\ quarters, per acre, is rather above
"than under the general average of the whole county." I
cannot, however, alter my opinion upon this, as I have taken
great pains in comparing the quantity of good and bad land ;
from which, I have formed my idea of this average.

(b) Mr. Baillic remarks in this place, " this is very true."

(c) Mr. Howlett fays, " this feems a far-fetched recommen-
" dation of large farms, and which they by no means ftand in
" need of: Large farms are managed at a much fmaller pro-
" portional expence, and raife a larger proportional produce.
" The conclufions are obvious." Mr. Howlett muft allow me
to fay, that I had not the leaft idea of great farms. I cannot
fee upon what grounds of confiftency Mr. Howlett could fup-
pofe, I meant to compliment large farms on this occafion — I
meant large eftates, and it furely is clearly expreffed fo. As
to the larger proportional produce, and the other advantages,
which he defcribes to large farms, they arc not fo obvious to
me, as to him.

II 2

60 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xn.

IRREGULAR CROPS.

JL HOUGH it is highly proper to confine tenants
to a regular fyftem of cropping, yet there are fome
little variations, that under certain circumflances,
they ought occafionally to be indulged in.

When, for inflance, a piece of land is well
cleaned, mucked, and fown with turnips, and the
crop, notwith (landing all poflible care, does not
fucceed j in fuch cafe, if the tenant be allowed to
fow wheat (#), and, in the enfuing fpring, clover
among it, no harm can refult from it, as it would
have been feeded with barley if they had fucceeded.

No landlord ought to objecr. to this, as the
land is neither injured, or ultimately put out of
courfe by it; at the fame time that the difference
in value, between a wheat and a barley crop, will
be a full compenfation for the inconvenience the
tenant fuftains, by the lofs of his crop of turnips.

Sometimes

OF NORFOLK. 6l

Sometimes it will happen, that grafs feeds will
not take root. In fuch cafe, it would be a hard-
ship to confine a tenant to keep that piece of land
in an unproductive flate for two years : he fhould,
when this happens, be allowed to take a crofs crop,
being confined to turnip or vetch it, after fuch ex-
tra crops.

The vetch is a moft excellent thing ; and great
advantage may be derived from it, in various
fhapes. If a piece of barley or wheat ftubble,
which comes in courfe for turnips, be found tolera-
bly clean and mellow after harvefl, it is a good
practice to fow vetches upon it, and harrow them
in, as foon as the corn is ofF. They will often
produce a great deal of valuable feed for ewes and
lambs in the fpring, when fuch kind of affi fiance
is of ineftimable worth, and yet admit of the land
being got into very good order for turnips. They
are likewife of the greatefl profit when cut green,
in the courfe of the fummer, and given to cows
and working horfes, in the liable. An acre, cut
and ufed in this way, will go farther, and do the
horfes more good, than two acres eaten off in the
field: working horfes want refl ; in the liable they
are not tealed by flies ; befides, the quantity of
muck which horfes make, fo foddered, is prodi-
gious.

Exclufive

62 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Exclufive of thefe helps from the vetch, a few-
acres of potatoes, and the drum-headed cabbage,
are greatly worth a farmer's attention ; for they
are excellent food for milch cows, and anfwer well,
and ought to be cultivated much more than they
are, as there is but a very fmall quantity planted
in this county. Carrots are likewife of great value
to a farmer, and ought to be grown in greater
plenty than they are. A few acres of lucerne,
when a good plant can be got, and it be kept clean,
is likewife a wonderful help.

Buck-wheat claffes, more than any thing, with
the irregular crops; though it is not fown fo often
as it was formerly. When it is fown, it is moftly
introduced after the barley that follows the wheat,
and is frequently fucceeded by wheat; but this is
reckoned bad hufbandry, and ought not to be al-
lowed, unlefs it be ploughed under for manure, or
unlefs the wheat flubble which follows it, be tur-
niped. — The beft mode of introducing it, is after
wheat, inflead of barley, when it may be houfed
as a crop, and then to turnip the buck flubble.
This lad is good hufbandry, as it does no fort of
harm to the land, and is an' excellent forerunner to
tuvnips, which generally grow kindly after it, and,
this way, the land is not at all put out of courfe.

Peafe are generally fown upon land coining on
for a fecond year's lay ; beans and hops are but

little

OF NORFOLK. 6$

little cultivated ; cabbage, for cattle, is but feldom
planted ; orchards very few, and much neglected —
confequently no cyder.

But above all, where land has a chalk or marl
at the bottom, let not faint-foin be forgotten (b)
upon fuch a foil as this ; or even where there is
gravel under a good furface, it is impoflible to fay
too much in its favour. In this country it is but
little known ; I believe the firft perfon who
brought it into Norfolk, was the late Sir Henry
L'Eitrange; next to him it was countenanced by
Mr. Rolfe and the Rev. Armine Styleman ; but
the greateft planter of it is Mr. Coke, who has, this
dry rummer, cut two hundred and fixty-five loads
of excellent hay, rather exceeding a ton to a load,
from one hundred and four acres. This was from
a plant of four years old, upon land not worth
more, for any other purpofe, than twelve millings
an acre. He is fo convinced of its great utility,
that he has lately laid down an hundred acres
more, and has it in contemplation to carry the cul-
tivation Hill further.

Next to advifing the planting all land, that will
bear it, with faint-foin, and the flooding of all mea-
dows, where water can be got over, as hay is at all
times an article of the greatefl value to a farmer,
and what almofl every country is crying out for, il
a winter is at any tune fevere, 1 molt urgently re-
commend

64 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

commend to all farmers, to be more careful of it,
than they generally are. It is not uncommon to fee
a fourth or a fifth part of it wafted in the confump-
tion, by being given to cattle in too great quantities
at a time, and in a loofe, flovenly manner. Racks,
with clofe bars, fhould be obferved for horfes ; and
deep cribs for oxen. Sheep are ftill more apt to
create wade; therefore the cutting of hay, in like
manner as ftraw is cut, into chaff, is a frugal and
excellent practice ; for by this means, there is no
walle at all : and it is certain, that hay given in
this way, will go confiderably farther, than if given
in the old way. It may alfo, by this means, be
often, with great propriety, mixed for oxen or
horfes, with a fmall proportion of flraw.

I am fo thoroughly convinced of the advantage
attending this mode of confumption, that I fhall
fleadily adhere to it, wherever my authority or
influence extends. — The ufual price for cutting in
this county, is 3d. for four heaped bufhels, and a
man, who is expert at it, will earn 3s. 6d. a day,

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK, 65

A* O T E S.

(a) Sir Thomas Beevor fays, « If this be allowed, the land
" fhould lay two years in grafs, otherwife the fucceffion of
«' wheat will be too quick, but if on a flrong foil, he re-
" commends a crop of beans."

Sir Thomas Beevor is perfectly right in faying it fhould
ray two years after wheat — fuch is my meaning too ; but
beans will not do, becaufe in that cafe the grafs-feeds could
not be fown.

(b) Mr. Dan very ably feconds my recommendation in this
place by the following remark — " I have cultivated faint-foin
" extenfively, and on a thin foil, with a chalk and gravelly
" bottom, many years ; and do not know any thing that can
" be cultivated more advantageoufly on fuch a foil."

66 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

%>zttitm xiii.

FALLOWING EXPLODED.

XT is a queftion with fome perfons, whether fum-
mer fallowing be necelfary or not ? I am one of
thofe who do not think it is. Nature does not:
feem to require any paufe or reft of this kind ; all
plants make their annual (hoots, as regularly as the
day fucceeds the night. The earth was evidently
defigned to yield a regular uninterrupted produce ;
and it does To, where we leave it to itfelf. If you
do not fow corn it will produce weeds : its pro-
ductive quality never ceafes. It is therefore our
bufinefs, by good culture, to expel the unprofi-
table plant, and introduce another, from which we
may derive benefit. The idea of leaving land to
reft is ridiculous ; keep it clean, and intermix the
crops fown upon it judicioufly, fo that one may
fertilize as much as another exhaufts (a) ; and it
may be fown as a garden is planted, from one ge-
neration to another (/;). Look at half the common
fields in England, where the fyftem eftablifhed by
the old fchool is called two crops and a fallow.

What

OP NORFOLK. 6 J

What does this exhibit, but a conflict between the
farmer and his weeds, in which the latter gene-
rally get the better; for they are only half flifled,
and never effectually killed ?

On the other hand, view this county, which
yields a crop every year, without being exhauft-
ed (c) ; and though the foil in many parts is light
and ordinary, by being kept clean, feldom fails of
a fair return, which enables the farmer to employ
more hands, and give a better rent (d) ; which are
two important confiderations, the one being bene-
ficial to the country at large, the other to the land-
owner.

This fubject fecms to have excited fome doubt
and objection, as will be feen by fome of the com-
ments annexed. I do not, however, fee any rea-
fonable ground for the fupport of fallowing. The
Auflrian Netherlands, one of the moft productive
diflricls in Europe, allows of no fuch ufelefs inter-
ruption in the rotation of its annual crops, nor
does this county, which is the neareft copy to it of
any part of England. The turnip crop, in fact,
is here the fallow, and certainly brings land into a
cleaner flate than any other mode of cultivation.

Thofe who talk of refling land, feem to confider

it in the nature of an animal, which undoubtedly

muft. have reft as well as food, to go through la-

I 2 bour ;

68 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

bour; but furely this does not hold good when
applied to the nature of land, which, by proper at-
tention, will be found grateful and productive
without ceafing.

I apprehend, the cuftom of fallowing, originated
from the ancient ftate of the common fields, before
the introduction of turnips and artificial graffes ; in
this early period of our hufbandry, fallowing was
abfoluteiy neceffary, as there was but little flock
then kept in proportion to what there now is,
therefore land could not be fo often or fo well ma-
nured as now ; with the inclofure, therefore, of
common fields, fallowing ought to have ceafed, in
other parts as well as here ; but where farmers Hill
continue'the reprehenfible practice of taking three
crops in fucceffion, which is Mill the cafe in many
parts of England, there fallowing is abfoluteiy ne-
ceffary ; but it is by no means a neceffary part of
Norfolk hufbandry.

OF NORFOLK. .69

Jf O T E S.

(a) Mr. Baillie remarks, " this is the only thing wanted—.
" but I fuppofe Mr. Kent means that the fertilizing crop is to
4e pafs through the body of fome animals, to convert it intQ
" manure, and not that a crop growing upon land will ferti-
" lize it." My meaning is plain, that a crop of turnips,
yetches or even clover, either fed off upon the ground where
grown, or confumed in the (tables, ftalls and yards, will add
as much benefit to the foil, as the wheat and barley crop will
injure it.

(b) Mr. Howlett fays, ,: all this fpecious theoretical rea-
« foning feems to be fufficiently refuted, by an appeal to fact
" and experience, made in the Effex Survey, page 1 6.

«s Indeed, the expediency of fallowing, or not, muft de-
« pend partly upon the nature of the foil, and partly upon
" the quantity of manure that can be raifed."

What grounds Mr. Howlett can have, for calling this mere
fpecious and theoretical reafoning I know not, and as to the
expediency which he alludes to, I truft I have fufficiently
explained that at the latter end of this fection ; but I wifh he
would attend to the next commentator but one.

(c) Mr. Baillie has another remark to the following effect:,
"This cannot be faiily faid, becaufe it has been complained
«« of that it does not produce turnips fo well now as for-
•• merly, &c The greateft defect of the Norfolk fyftem
" feems to be in ploughing too much, and of not keeping of
f« more fheep, and of a better kind.'' With fubmiffion, I

think,

7o

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

think, that too much ftrefs is here laid upon what I faid
about the land not being fo kind for turnips as formerly; fo far
it is a fa£t, but this did not mean to imply, that good tur-
nips were not flill grown ; all that was meant was, that
more care and attention was required ; but, notwithftanding
the inconvenience I allude to, I may boldly fay, that I have
never feen fo good turnips, or fo many acres of them, in any
other county, as are flill grown in Norfolk.

As to faying it is a defect in the Norfolk fyftem by plough-
ing too much. How can that be ? when there is only half
the arable land in corn and grain, at any one time, either
under the fix-courfe or the four-courfe fhift.

Refpe&ing cattle, I know no country, of a fimilar foil,
where fo much are kept ; and as to the fheep, Mr. Baillie
muft excufe me, if I do not give him credit for being a proper
judge of what are the befl fort of fhecp for this county.

(d) Mr. James obferves, that — " The perufal of the firft two
" paragraphs has afforded me great fatisfaftion. The necei-
" lity of fummer fallowing is at laft called into queftion, and
« I have no doubt, if we could overcome people's prejudices,
" (which, by the bye, is more difficult to deftroy than the
« weeds) this practice would be entirely exploded — I con-
«« ceive, the intention of them is not fo much to afford the
*' earth that paufe or reft, on which our author has fo inge-
« nioufly and fo very reafonably remarked, as by furnifhing
" the farmer with an opportunity of expofing the roots of the
<f weeds to the rays of the fun, by repeated ploughings, in
" order to effect their deftruclion. But let me afk, by way of
*' expofing the fallacy of this method of fallowing, how would
<! this deftruciion be effefted in the cafe of a dripping fummer?
** And would it not be very unfortunate for that perfon who
" was under the obligation, by the articles of his leafe, or his
tc unconquerable prejudice, to fallow in fuch a feafon? Would

" he

OF NORFOLK.

71

51 he not lofe a year's rent of that part of his farm, without
<; beincr one jot the forwarder, with the addition of a con-
" fiderable expence, incurred by a great proportion of la-
" bour, into the bargain ? Surely this, if properly confi-
i; dered, proves, inconteftibly, the fyflem to be founded
'; upon wrong principles, and ought to induce us to receive
" any opinion, advanced with a corrective motive, as wor-
*' thy our confideration at leaft, and by no means a fit ob-
" jeft of our indifference, not to fay contempt. The Society
" for the Promotion of Arts, have taken great pains upon
** this fubjeft ; they are actuated in this, as in every other
;{ meafure, by genuine philanthropy, and are anxious to be
" the means of laving the tenant, or land-holder, one rent in
'; three. The method which I wifh to recommend is, alter-
': nately to grow meliorating and exhaulting crops, and to be
i: careful, in the progrefs of their growth, to hoe them occa-
<; fionally. The drill-hufbandry, wherever it can be ap-
" plied, ought, on this account, never to be neglefted, and
i; confequentlv, the broad-call hufbandry, for the lame rea-
'; fon, fhould be abolifhed, excepting for turnips and the
«« fmaller feeds: in facl, any method, and of which there are
<; many extant, is to be preferred to this. It is a trite obfer-
': vation, that the cleaner any land is kept, the lefs care is
" requifite to continue it fo ; and I am clearly of opinion,
" if the crops are well prefeived from weeds in their in-
*' fancy, when they are in the moll danger, and the hoeing
" continued as long as can be conveniently with their fafety,
" the produce will be increafed, and by the weeds being era-
" dicatcd (for the bare cutting off their tops will not be fuffi-
" cient) their feeding will be prevented, as well as their pro-
*' pagation from the roots ; from hence I infer, the nccefhty
u of fummcr fallowing may be fuperccded."

This gentleman is a fair, liberal, manly commentator, open
to conviclion, and, apparently, guided by no other motive,
than that of promoting huprovement,

ftefiura

72 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xiv.

COMMON FIELDS & IJVCLOSURES.

JL HERE is flill a confiderable deal of common-
field land in Norfolk, though a much lefs pro-
portion than in many other counties ; for, notwith-
itanding common rights, for great cattle, exift iri
all of them, and even fheep-walk privileges in
many, yet the natural induflry of the people is
fuch, that wherever a perfon can get four or five
acres together, he plants a white-thorn hedge
round it, and fets an oak at every rod d> fiance,
which is confented to by a kind of general cour-
tefy from one neighbour to another.

It has long been a fubject. of infinite conjec-
ture, how the land of different eftates became
originally fo fcattered and divided in common
fields. Lord Chief Juflice Coke, in his Reports,
fays, " The policy of old times, in feveralling of
" fields in fmali parcels, to fo many different per-*
" fons, was to avoid inclofure, and to maintain
« tillage."

Many

OF NORFOLK.. 73

Many other reafons are affigned. But, waving
all ftfelefs inve (ligation of this fort, I fliall briefly
confidcr the difadvantages that land, of this de-
fcription, is at piefent fubjed to, and endeavour
to (hew the advantages that would refult from lay-
ing it more together.

Lund, when very much divided, occafions con-
siderable lots of time to the occupier, in going over
a great deal of ufelefs fpace, in keeping a commu-
nication with the different pieces. As it lies gene-
rally in long narrow flips, it is but feldomit can
receive any benefit from crofs ploughing and harrow-
ing, therefore it cannot be kept fo clean ; but what
is dill worfe, there can be but little variety ob-
fcrved in the fyflem of cropping; becaufe the right
which every pariihioner has of commonage over
the field, a great part of the year, prevents the
lowing of turnips, clover, or other grafs feeds, and
confequently cramps a farmer in the flock which
he would otherwifc keep. On the contrary, when
land is inclofed, fo as to admit of lowing turnip3
and feeds, which have an improving and meliorat-
ing tendency, the fame foil will, in the courfe of
a few years, make nearly double the return it did
before, to fay nothing of the wonderful improve**
ments which fomctimes refult from a loam or clay ;
whicli will, when well laid down, often become of
twice the permanent value in paflurc, that ever it,
would as ploughed ground. Mod finking eileds

K of

74 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

of this fort are to be feen in Leicefterfhirc, Nor-
thamptonshire, and other midland counties. This,
indeed, has been urged by fome as an argument
againft inclofing, as they would infer that it leffens
the quantity of arable land too much, and tends to
make corn dear ; but the excefs of grazing and
ploughing will correct, itfelf. If arable land be laid
down, there is a great deal of coarfe old pafture land
which may be broken up, the turf of which wants
renewing ; and this old grafs land, which could not
fo well have been fpared before, is, of all land, that
which is mofl adapted to the growth of potatoes,
hops, hemp, and flax. The markets will ever re-
gulate the proportion of arable and grafs land, bet-
ter than any fixed plan that can be fuggefled.

If we properly confider the benefits refulting to
population from inclofing, (though that, as well as
the advantages which might be derived from com-
mons, has been fuperficially queftioned) it will
flrike us with aflonifhment (a). Let the popula-
tion of England be compared with what it was fifty
years fince, and I prefume it will be found increafed
nearly a third. If I were afked the caufe, I fhould
fay, that I believe it is chiefly from inclofing ; and
my reafoms for it are, that in all places where my
obfervation has come, it carries full proof. I have
feen the effects in many parts of England; but I
ihall fubjoin one ftriking inftance, in this county.
The parifh of Felbrigg, belonging to Mr. Wind-
ham,

OF NORFOLK.

75

ham, Member for Norwich, confifls of about 1300
acres of land, and till the year 1771, remained time
out of mind in the following Mate : 400 acres of
inclofed ; 100 or wood land ; 400 of common field;
and 400 of common or heath. By authentic re-
giflers, at different periods, it appeared, that the
number of fouls had never been known to exceed
124, which was the number in 1745; in 1777,
they were only 121 ; at this time they amount to
174. This rapid increafe I attribute chiefly to the
recent improvements made in the pariih, by inclo-
Cng all the common field land, and by converting
moft of the common into arable land and plantations.
The pariih has no particular connection with any
other, and therefore its own increafe of labour and
produce muft be the principal caufe at leaft of this
flriking alteration. The pariih of Weyburn, which
remains uninclofed in this neighbourhood, belong-
ing to Lord Walpole, who poffeffes, in a very emi-
nent degree, the three great characleriftics of a
country gentleman, a good magiilrate, a good
neighbour, and a good landlord, is the moll like
what Felbrigg was before its inclofure, confifting of
about the fame quantity of common and common
fields ; but I do not find that the population there
has increafed of late, which is a corroborating proof
of inclofures being in favour of population.

If then, inclofing be found fo beneficial, every

obflrudlion to it ought to be removed. In the

K 2 firft

76 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

firft place, were there one general act of parliament
formed, under which any parifh that could agree
in itfelf, could be able to take fhelter, or even any
two or more perfons, agreeing upon any exchange
of land, or a feparation of a mixed interefl, where-
by the inclofing of fuch land was the remit,
upon paying a fmall consideration, to receive
the fanction of a fhort fummary law to bind their
agreement. This would infenfibly lead to a vail
field of improvement (b). Something of this fort
was lately attempted, but not carried through, and
perhaps there might be fomething exceptionable in.
the plan. It is, however, to be wifhed, that fome
member of the Houfe of Commons would confidcr
the magnitude and importance of the object, and
bring it forward again. If fuch an attempt be
made, upon found and rational principles, I flatter
myfelf, the prefent Minifter would not be againft
its introduction ; nor, I truft, at a lofs, to find the
means of removing one of the principal objections
to the prefent mode of inclofing, namely, the great
expence, when a bill is foliated, which always
operates as a powerful difcouragement to under-
takings of this kind, and fometimes fets them
wholly afide; efpecially, as the fees are double, if
another parifh has the fmalleft fhare in the emolu-
ments, though the trouble to thole who pafs the
act is not doubled by it. But this is not all the
difcouragement (c)y for in the courfe of obtaining
the bill, the evidence muff go up to town, and

attend

OF NORFOLK.

77

attend a committee of the Commons, afterwards be
fworn at the bar of the Lords, and attend their
committee alfo : and as thefe attendances are often
at intervals confiderably diftant from each other,
the evidence mud all this time either be fupported
in town, at a great ex pence, or make three or four
journies ; and as this fort of evidence is generally-
given by profcfiional men whofe time is valuable,
thefe delays are very inconvenient, and frequently
operate fo powerfully upon the minds of people,
that many an inclofure is pafTcd over which would
otherwife be effected. This in a great mcafure
will account for lb many of our commons and
common fields having remained fo long in their
prefent Hate. In making thefe remarks, it is not
my meaning to call reflections upon any quarter,
but to awaken the attention of the Legiflature and
the Board of Agriculture to the importance of the
fubjecl, that all pofhble encouragement may be
given to the honeft enterprife of individuals; for
all improvements in Agriculture, which carry great
weight, and i« the end become national objects,
mufl.be effected by the individual, becaufc it muft
be the multitude that cultivate the hidden corners
of the earth, and "out of a little make a mickie".
Any thing which Government could do in a pecu-
niary way, by encouraging a few perfons in a local
foliation, will never operate fo extensively aa the
natural exertions ol the public : doubtlefs Govern-
ment will give the individual aH the afliftancc it

can.

78 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

can, to remove vexatious obftru&ions, and fmooth
the road to honeft undertakings which individuals
may wifh to bring forward. It is likewife pre-
fumed, that it will be found policy in Government
fo to do, as it will ever derive a proportionate ad-
vantage from the induftry of the people. I truft,
therefore, that the Legislature will fee the neceility
of contriving a lefs expenfive mode of fan&ioning
inclofures in general, for the good of mankind, as
well as its own emolument.

m $

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 79

JV O T E S.

(a) Mr. Wagftaff obferves, that «« an increafed population,
" in confequcncc of inclofures, is happily here illuftrated,. and
" it might be pertinently added, that fuch lands, fub-dividcd
*' into farms, from 40 to 100 acres, would, in as certain a
«' ratio, increafe the number of inhabitants, as the cultivators
** of 1000 acres, inclofed from the wafte, do increafe the
" number of the local refidents, when in the hands of one or
" two occupiers only, while the fum of the gains, on this
" divifion of occupations, will probably be equal in twenty
« families as the one or two, and the fum of their produce
<: augmented; while farms, too large, are frequently the in-
" ftruments of luxury to their poileiTors and their pofterity,
<: and what is really to be deplored, the caufe of emigration
*: of many capable agriculturists, whofc difpofition and habit
« would be indulged by a lettlement at heme. Under favour
<<of the Board, by a line of permillion from its Prefidcnt, I
" conceive I can lay before them, practical means for the
« conftitutional redrefs of the aforementioned grievances, at
*- lead leflen their evil, and, in their whole tendency, be in-
dividually, facially, and nationally beneficial.

(b) The following fenfible and manly remark, is from Lord
Rofeberry. " Such an aft, and fuch a plan, would be the
" greateft bleffing England ever met with, and by fuch a
" general aft for inclofing and dividing commons and com-
« monable lands, at fmall cxpencc, parliament would do more
" for agriculture and population, than ever was done before."

And Mr. Strachcy wiffces to fee a fimilar " aft for making
** turnpike roads, where a majority of pcrfons, pofTelnng a
« certain property, agree amongfl themfclves. An aft of a
" moderate length now co!h 2Col. which is a great dilcourage-
« ment. The foes to the clerks of the lloul'c of Commons,

80 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

" and Houfe of Lords, are confiderable ; but upon the palling
<4fuch an aft, for the public convenience and honour of the
" country, either Houfe might contrive a compenfation to
«' thofe, who would be deprived of the emoluments which
•« now arife to them, from the turnpike bills annually brought
«' in.3'

(c) Mr. James remarks thus : — "What is here hinted at
«• as the moll powerful difcouragement to undertakings of this
41 kind, namely, the enormous expences which are incurred,
41 I am of opinion, would entirely fubvert the excellent me-
" thod he has fuggefted, was it ever to be propofed ; for the
*s perfons benefited by thefe expences, are not quite fo difm-
«' terefted a fet of men, as to relinquifh them without oppo-
■' fition, and there is no doubt but here they would, in all
«« probability, be but too fuccefsful. If the Minifter were to
" introduce a bill, whofe object; went to the total abolition,
" of not only particular, but fees in general, a number of
'* improvements would prefently be the confequence, which
tc would not be confined to agriculture."

Mr. Howlett is likewife a commentator upon this fe&ion,
and admits, that what I fay about the excefs of grazing and
ploughing correcting itfelf " is undoubtedly juft and conclu-
«< five ; but where I fuppofe the population to be increafed
" nearly a third within the laft fifty years, which, by the
'; way, was merely a fuppofition, he believes it to be above
" the fact, and that the increafe, fince the Revolution, is little,
" if any thing, above one third, though the greateft part
" of the increafe has taken place during the laft fifty years,
« thatjthis has been occafioned, in fome fmall degree, by in-
*' clofures. — The tendency to increafe population, he fays,
« he has fully cftablifhed upon much better, more extenfive,
" and fatisfactory evidence, than is here produced — and that
" he has much more evidence of a fimilar kind now by him."
I hope this additional evidence will foon come out, and that
it will be as fatisfactory to the public, as it is to himfelf.

OF NORFOLK. St

Section xv.

THE COMMONS CONSIDERED.

A HESE lie in all parts of the county, and are
very different in their quality. Thofe in the
neighbourhood of Wymondham and Attleborough,
are equal to the fined land in the county, worth,
at lead, twenty fhillings an acre ; being capable of
making either good pafture, or producing corn,
hemp, or flax. There are other parts which par-
take of a wet nature, and fome of a furze and
heathy quality ; but they are moft of them worth
improving, and all of them capable of producing
fomething : and it is a lamentable thing, that thofe
large tra&s of land mould be fuffered to remain in
their prefent unprofitable itate. The arguments
for the continuance of commons in their prefent
flate are, in general, fallacious ; and though fpe-
cious, are grounded on miilaken principles of hu-
manity. The advantage they would be to fociety,
if properly cultivated, would be very great, and

L the

82 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

the attention of the new Board will, I truft, foon
be fixed upon this important object, fo as to find
the means of removing the great impediments
which prevent their inclofure, upon which I have
made a further obfervation under the head of com-
mon fields.

After making a fair deduction for roads, there
are fuppofed to be fomewhat more than eighty
thoufand acres.

From obfervation and enquiry, I find, that in
the mod fertile parts of England, the people em-
ployed in agriculture, and the rural trades con-
netted with it, are in about the proportion of one
to fix acres; and if a proportionate number be ad-
ded for the towns, and people employed in other
trades, not connected with hufbandry, the number
will be, perhaps, as one to four acres of land. But
as the more ordinary parts will not carry lo high a
population, the fafer average may be to fet the fcale
generally, as one to five acres ; and as thefe lands do
not fupport a third of the number of people which
they would do, if they were cultivated ; however,
llippofing they do, at this time, fupport a third of
what they would do if improved, (till there is an
apparent lofs of io,666 perfons, in this county only,
which being highly agricultural, with a large pro-
portion of manufactories and trade, I {hall leave

the

OF NORFOLK. 83

the benefits which would refult from the inclofure
of this great tratt of land, to the eflimation of the
financier (a).

And why mould not this rude trad of land be
cultivated ? Why mould this rough jewel remain
unpolilhed?

NO T E S.

(a) Mr. James remarks thus : — "The advantages the public
(i muft derive, from a proper cultivation of all the wade lands
'« and commons through the kingdom, fecm to be obvious to
l: every one who is devoid of prejudice. The principal, indeed,
*' the only impediment, which has any weight with me, upon
"this fubjett, is the encroachment it may occafion upon the
" rights and privileges of the poor, and, if they are deprived
"of them in oneway, the difficulty of afccrtaining what they
" are precifely, and of providing them with an equivalent'
" Some have propofed doing this by allotting a piece of land
" to every cottage, but this method, at firft fight, muft ap-
" pear objectionable, as this addition becoming the property
«: of the perfon to whom the cottage already belongs, the
" benefit will not extend beyond its prefent tenant, and
" property will not remain with him for any length of time,
" as it may prove a temptation to his landlord to advance his
" rent, and in a proportion inconfiftent with the advantages
" he may derive from it. Others have thrown out an idea of
" purchafing the wade lands from their refpettive parifhes,
" and cftablifhing a fund for the benefit of the poor, and

L 2 '* thofo

84 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

" thofe clafTes who come under our confideration. This me-
" thod I have feveral objections to ; namely, that it is more
" likely to relieve thofe on whom the poor's rate are at pre-
" fent levied, rather than prove itfelf that fair and equitable
" equivalent, without which, this important reformation can-
'* not in honour be undertaken — but my principal one is, that
*! of fubftituting money as this equivalent. It ought to be an
C{ objeft of our confideration, in this momentous bufinefs, that
«• the value of the exchange fhould be permanent, and, if
*' money is to be the exchange, how can this be faid to be the
*' cafe. In proof of this, how much the labouring poor of
** this country would have fuffered, if this circumflance had
*' taken place in the laft century, if money had been equiva-
*• lent, when it is fo well known, how much alteration has
*« taken place in its value, while every neceffary article of
*' life is more than doubled."

Mr. Wagftaff fays, " perhaps there are certain trafts of
*s land, neceffary ranges for combined flocks, belonging to
*' fmall proprietors, whereby the fleece is improved : but
** there is this misfortune attendant on rich commons (and
*' fuch are what this gentleman truly remarks of Wymondham
■' and Attleborough) through each claimant on them making
"■ the mofl of the prefent advantages, without adverting to a
*' wanted improvement that might continue and fecure, in the
" future, an addition of advantages ; through this defeft, of
e( what is every claimant's bufinefs, fuch as undrained waters,
*' which contaminate where they continue, and is, I am per-
u fuaded, an addition to the too lengthened continuance of
ii their ranging, the origin of the decay, which, fometimes,
" becomes contagious to other fheep ; and this, I prefume,
«* arifing for want of a compulfory tax, to oblige the feveral
*5 claimants to improve their common privilege, by requifite
" drainage, ditching, embankment, and elevation of low
" ground, to which might be added, the omiffion of fumrner
^'mowings of the immenfity of thi files and ragweed: as by
*'■ thefe attentions, the falubrity and certainty of an excellent

" paflurage

OF NORFOLK. 85

" paflurage might be perpetuated; then, under thefe circum-
«« fiances, perhaps, they may not admit of much more im-
" provement. But very different are the commons of a
" furze and heath production ; nothing fhort of cultivation,
« can make them properly productive. But, as I have taken
" the liberty to addrefs the Board, on commons of this de-
" fcription, I muft beg to refer them to what I have already
" faid, and what I propofe farther to fay, in another addrefs
<< to them refpefting Mofwold. I feel an ardent wifh to
" fee the extended wafte Mofwold cultivated, (which is
«« partly within the boundary of this city) and which is like-
«« wife a part of fifteen country parifhes. I was thinking that
«♦ in inclofing it, that it might be a fubjeft of policy, as well
•« as juftice, to appropriate for the cottage poor, folely, a
M common, from thirty to forty acres, to each parifh ; this
"would be a facrifice that might befpeak their acquiefcence,
" and appeafe a poffible difpofition to turbulence. Thefe
*' conceffions, I conceive, would not be a twentieth part of
"the whole; perhaps what is in the precincts of Norwich,
■« may have a rental referved for an annual diftribution to its
«{ poor inhabitants."

This interefting fubject of commons, is much indebted to the
two gentlemen, whofe obfervations I have here inferted ; the
humanity and good policy of their tendency, are equally to be
admired, and I make no doubt, but fomc material advantage
will be derived from their ufeful hints.

86 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xvi.

WOODS AND PLANTATIONS.

J[n my firft report, I fiated, that the woodland,
of an old {landing, was not confiderable ; that a
fingle wood, or coppice, was found here and
there, but no great tra£t together j and that the
county was not remarkable, for any particular ap-
plication of the underwood, further than the mere
purpofe of fheep hurdles and materials for thatch-
ing. At that time, I confidered Foxley wood,
which is three hundred and nine acres, belonging
to Sir John Lombe, Bart, as the largeft in the
county, which I Hill believe to be the cafe ; but I
have fince learnt from Sir Thomas Beevor, that
there are feveral other confiderable woods in Afh-
well Thorpe, Hetherfet, Ketteringham, Hethel,
Bunwell, Hempnall, and Shottiiham, of eight
hundred or a thoufand acres, in the aggregate, be-
fides feveral other fmaller woods in other parts,
and that the underwood is ufed for hoops, as well
as thatching, and other purpofes of repairs.

The

OF NORFOLK. 87

The modern plantations, fuch as relate to the
mere embellifhment of gentlemen's feats, have kept
pace in this county with mod other parts of Eng-
land. Great bodies of firs, intermixed with a lefs
number of fored-trees, have been planted, by moll
of the gentlemen of large fortune, in their parks
and home grounds ; but the planting of pits, an-
gles, and great fcreens, upon the diflant parts of
their e dates, which I conceive to be a greater ob-
ject of improvement, has been but little attended
to. I (hall mention two or three plantations, and
add a hint upon this fubjecl, which I flatter myfelf
will deferve notice.

Mr. Marfham, of Stratton, ranks firft in priority,
as he (like the late Lord Bathurfl) has planted
trees with his own hand, that he might fell for fix
or feven pounds a piece, if he chofe to cut them
down, and, among a great number of other re-
markably fine trees, he has a Spaniih chefnut,
which he planted a nut, with his own hand, and
afterwards tranfplanted it into a poor iandy foil,
which now runs, timber 58 feet, and fquares up-
wards of 22 inches at the butt, fo that it muft be,
at lead, 80 cubical feet of timber; and I trud this
truly refpeclable country gentleman will live to fee
his favourite tree increafe conliderably more, for
he is a comfort to the neighbourhood he Lives in,
and has obliged the world with many ingenious
oblcrvations upon nature, and has recently made

fomc

88 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

fome laudable experiments for facilitating the
growth of timber, by keeping the bark clean from
mofs, and opening the furface of the earth round
the trees, to let moiflure and air into the roots :
and though this ailillance cannot be given to trees
upon a very large fcale, it may often be adopted
in favourite fpots, and fmall plantations, to great
advantage ; and he has fo judicioufly fcattered a
great number of trees on the fides of the road near
his rehdence, by planting them in the Flemiih flile,
without their heads, that they have flourifhed ex-
tremely, and changed the dreary profpeel of a poor
common to an agreeable fylvan fcene.

This practice of Mr. Marfham's having been
mifunderftood, from my former way of defcribing
it, it is incumbent on me to give it fome explana-
tion.

In Flanders, where they plant trees eight or ten
feet high, it is a very common thing to ftrike off
part of the fpray, and fometimes the top itfelf, to
prevent the wind from having too much power over
it, till the roots have taken hold.

Mr. Marfham imitates this practice, and by fo
doing, has railed a great number of valuable trees
upon a poor bleak heath, where he could not
otherwise- have raifed them at all ; for he did not
like to deprive the poor of their herbage, by in-

clofing

OF NORFOLK. 89

clofino" a part of it for entire plantations, and if he
had planted fmaller trees, the rabbits and hares
would have barked and ruined them ; or if he had
planted larger trees, with their natural heads, they
would not have grown at all in fuch an expofed
fituation. And it mutt be underflood, that thefe
trees have not a ftiff formal appearance> like an
old tree which is reduced to a pollard, but in
the courfe of ten or fifteen years, after they are
planted, grow into a handfome fymmetrical form,
for their heads are not entirely cut off, fo as to be
left like a dead flick, but only reduced in their
heads and branches, and left fomewhat in the ori-
ginal fhape they were inclined to take.

Mr. Berney, of Bracon, ranks next as a planter,
in point of date, as he ha,s paid great attention to
it for upwards of fifty years. In the year 1757,
he obtained the honour of a filver medal for a
large plantation of oaks. — His Spanifh chefnuts
are very fine, many of them fourteen or fifteen
inches girth, and his larch as much ; and he has
the merit of having done more to eflabliih the cre-
dit of the latter than any other perfon I know :
he has put it to almofl all the purpofes of buildings,
fuch as principals, fpars, lath, and boards ; likewife
to many cabinet ufes, fuch as doors, tables, window-
frames, buuk-cafes, chimney-pieces, and many beau-
tiful fpecimens in carving. In fliort, he entertains
Jit opinion of it; and, having nude obler-
M vations

gO AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

vations upon the proper feafon for felling it, as
well as all other firs, he recommends it to be done in
the months of July or Auguft, as he has found,
by experience, that the liquid which oozes out at
that time of the year, almoft immediately turns to
a fort of rofin, which operates as a ftiptic, fo that
the wood is not fo much drained as at other feafons,
but hardens and comes into ufe fooner, which is a
hint worth notice (#).

Among the modern planters, Mr. Coke un que f-
tionably ranks foremoft. He has planted, fmce he
has been in poffeflion of his eftate, four hundred
and eighty acres of different kinds of plants, two-
thirds of which are meant to be thinned and cut
down for underwood, fo as to leave oak, Spanifh
chefnut, and beech, only as timber. His intention
is to continue to plant fifty acres every year, till he
has completely environed three thoufand acres of
land, which is to compofe his park and demefne
farm. Thefe plantations already afford great
cheerfulnefs ; and, as the ground has more variety
than many other parts of Norfolk, they will give a
bold effect, and be truly correfpondent to the mag-
nificent feat they are meant to adorn. I cannot
quit Holkham, without taking notice of a very
commendable part of Mr. Coke's practice in plant-
ing, which is, his allowing the neighbouring poor
to plant potatoes (t>) among his young trees, the
iirlt tv/o or three years, which is a great comfort to

them,

Or NORFOLK. gt

them, keeps his land effe&ually clean, and faves,
him a confiderable expence in hoeing (c).

Mr. Windham, of Felbrigg, is alfo a confider-
able modern planter. His plantations are defigned
to anfwer two purpofes, to ornament and belt
round his park, and to extend his great woodland
fcene nearer the fea, towards which, at two miles
diftance, it forms a grand bulwark, and from which
he looks down an eafy declivity, over a bold fhore,
to an unlimited profpecl; on the German ocean.
Moft of his plantations have been raifed from feed;
and there is one that Hands unrivalled ; it was
fown with acorns, Spanifh chefnut, and beech-
maft, feventeen years fince ; has been already twice
thinned for hurdle wood ; the trees, moft of which
are thirty feet high, being at the regular diftance of
twelve feet, with a valuable underwood at four feet
diftance. This plantation was taken out of the
park, was well fallowed the preceding fummer to
its being fown, and, during this ftate, there was a
flock of ftieep in the park, which were continually
laying on the fallows, to which, in a great meafure,
I attribute its aftonifhing floridity, as it furpaffes
every thing of the kind I ever faw, and therefore I
mention this as a thing worth attending to.

There is another plantation which is highly de-

ferving notice and imitation ; it is a belt fixty-fix

yards wide and nine miles round, inclofing the

M 2 eltate

92

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

eftate of Mr. Galway, of Tofts, near Thetford.
The merit of this plantation juflly belongs to Mr.
Griffin, of Mundford, who adviled Mr. Nelfon,
whofe eflate it was formerly, to this undertaking.
It was planted with a variety of trees, at fix feet
apart, and coft ten pounds an acre. It was begun
in 1770, and completed in 1778. It has been
thinned feveral times ; and the trees, if fold at this
time, would be worth fifty pounds per acre. But
the advantage it is to the reft of the eftate, to lay
nothing of its ornament, is not to be defcribed, as
it affords fnelter and warmth to cattle, which next
to food, contribute to their health and thrift ; fo
that the land is increafed in value confiderably. In
fhort, if Mr. Galway would now line his belt with
deciduous trees, fuch as birch, beech, and chefnut,
to repel the wind, which now begins to draw
through the bottom of the plantation, as it confifts
chiefly of firs, it would enhance the value of his
eftate a full third.

There is great advantage in planting a large
body of wood in a naked country, which is not at
firft perceived. Where there is nothing to refift
the cold winds, vegetation and cattle are cut to
death, and nothing rich from the atmofphere can
be retained. But plantations flop the rapid cur-
rent of the air, colled: a denfity which helps to en-
rich the furface of the earth; and, moreover, by
giving warmth and comfort to cattle, half the fod-
der

OF NORFOLK. 93

der will fatisfy them ; and by degrees, as the cattle
couch under ftielter, the foil by degrees improves.
This is clear to demonftration, by taking a view
of Lord Petre's park, which, in the midft of a
barren, dreary country, forms an agreeable fhady
retreat, covered with a pleafant verdure, and richly
ornamented with foreft trees of large dimenfions.
His Lordfhip is now confiderably extending his
plantations, with great tafte and fuccefs, to the
open parts which lie on the outfide of his eftate.

There are two other plantations of a recent date,
which are highly deferving of notice. The firft is
upon the eftate of Sir William Jerningham, at
Coftefey, four miles from Norwich; the ground
is beautifully varied, which is the more finking, as
Norfolk is, in general, a remarkably flat country ;
and the river Wenfum, which bounds one fide of
it, is another great natural addition to the place;
but the plantations, which are large and flourifh-
ing, have been made by the worthy owner with fo
much judgment and true tafte, that they afford the
bed leffon any modern improver or layer out of
ground could advert to.

The other is upon the eftate of Mifs Norris, at
Witton, quite in the face of the German ocean;
which, by having been planted very thick, have,
without any old trees to (belter them, fo flourifhed,
that, in the courfe of 22 years, it has, in one of

the

g4 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

the moft cold and expofed fituations in the king-
dom, changed a considerable tract of naked land into
an impervious woodland fcene. For this embellifh-
ment, the eflate and neighbourhood are indebted
to the taile and perfeverance of Mr. Evven, who,
though the plan was originally laid down by the
late Mr. Norris, has paid fuch attention to the
execution of it, and improved upon it, befides, fo
much, that I do not know of any eftate having re-
ceived greater benefit, in a minority, than this
has done,

I wifh to imprefs all men of fortune with the
importance of extending their plantations to the
diflant parts of their eftates, where foil and fitua-
tion are fuitable, and not merely content them-
felves with the environs of their own demefne : and
that they may be informed how valuable the Spa-
nilh chefnut is above moll other trees, I take
the liberty, on this occafion, to refer them to a let-
ter of mine upon that fubject, publifhed in the
Tranfa&ions of the Society of Arts, Manufactures,
and Commerce, for the year 1792 {d).

It is, in fhort, the oak's befl. fubftitute, and is a
quick grower upon all loomy and clayey foils. — •
Lord Walpole has this year cut down feveral trees
of this fort, which were tranfplanted in the year
J 724, which meafured, upon an average, 44 cubical
feet. They were taken out of a grove merely for

the

OF NORFOLK. 95

the purpofe of thinning it, fo that they were not the
belt of the trees ; his Lordfhip cut down one of the
lame age which meafured 74 feet.

Before I quit this fubjecl:, I will venture to re-
commend another tree to the attention of all plan-
ters upon poor light lands, which feems to exceed
moft others in growth. It is the tall ftraight-grow-
ing pinafler, which is frequently planted with
Scotch firs ; and, when they grow up together, by
many incurious people, is taken for a Scotch fir.
But I have always remarked its fuperiority of fize
when mixed with it, and of the fame age. In fhort,
it frequently grows as fall as an alder, or an afh,
and therefore, if it be planted merely with a view of
being cut down for fuel, it will be found a very
profitable tree in many parts of England : but as it
will grow to a very large fize, it will, in my opi-
nion, be found applicable to many ufeful purpofes,
as it admits of being cut into very large fcantlings.
As a decided proof of its advantage over the Scotch
fir in growth, and cenfequently in value, I need
only Rate, that about forty years fince, his late
Royal Highnefs William Duke of Cumberland
made a plantation of nearly a hundred acres on a
remarkably poor fandy land, adjoining to Bagfhot
Heath, in Surry, chiefly with Scotch firs, but with
a fmaller proportion of pi nailers intermixed with
them. The plantation is reckoned to have fuc-
ceeded extremely well, and has been a great orna-
ment

g6 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

ment to the country; but the Scotch firs do not
average more than five cubical feet, whilft the pi-
nafters are full forty ; fome of them I have mea-
fured, and found to be upwards of feventy feet.

When new plantations are made, it is always
belt to make them in as large a body as the ground
will admit of, and if there is time to clean the land
well, I recommend fuch plantations to be made
from feed in drills, rather than with feedlings, keep-
ing the ground clean till the plants get high enough
to protect themfelves : but it fometimes happens
that fingle trees are planted with propriety in parks
and lawns, upon frnall fwells and eminent fpots,
where a large plantation would be too heavy. In
luch cafes it is a good practice to open a very large
hole, at lealt fix feet in diameter, and full eighteen
inches deep, in the fpring, and the enfuing winter
put three or four plants of different forts into each
hole ; guarding them with a triangle frame, which
will be more durable than a fquare, and much
cheaper than a circle ; and, the fluff being found,
this may be erected five feet high, with pales fix
inches apart, ail workmanfhip and nails included,
for /$s. 6d. each. The reafon for putting four
plants into a hole, is not only to have the greater
chance of railing one good tree, but it will fome-
times happen, that two or three of them will unite
and mix their branches together, and form a moll
beautiful head of different tints, and by extending

their

OF NORFOLK. 97

their principal roots different ways, draw fufficient
nourifhnient for a permanent fupport of their
union.

I mall clofe my obfervations upon this intereft-
ing fubjecl:, with a word of advice, by way of
guarding againft a pernicious practice, which,
though hitherto unknown in this county, has late-
ly got fome footing in it — I mean the infamous
cuftom that prevails, in fome counties, of pruning
up trees, by diverting them of their lower or lateral
branches. When a plant is very young, it is
fometimes allowable, to a certain diftance, but
mould always be done with great caution ; but
when trees have begun to form themfelves, it is a
fort of murder — it Hops the growth, and produces
extreme deformity; for the fap, in the fpring of the
r, being checked in its natural diffufion into
the number of branches, into which it ufed to flow,
becomes diftorted

" As knots, by the conflux of meeting fap,
" Infett the found pine, and divert his grain,
" Tortive and errant, from his courfe of growth.

" Shakespeare."

N NOTES.

98 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

JV O T E S.

(a) Sir Thomas Beevor obferves — " Where has it been
,{ found that firs and pines are beft felled in the months of
{t July and Auguft ? Since that practice is, here, too novel to
" have had its truth confirmed by experience. Is not the
" exudation of the fap of all trees, from its infpiffation in the
" winter, lefs abundant, and the turpentine retained in
" thefe trees a prefervative to them ? Some trees taken down
«• 7 or 8 years ago, at that feafon, by the writer of this note,
" give him reafon to think the converfe of Mr, Berney's pro-
*' pofition to be true."

(b\ Mr. Dan has the following remark: — " Notwithftand-
" ing I applaud the motive, I doubt the propriety of this
" praftice ; conceiving that potatoes are injurious to young
" trees, from the injury I have experienced, when they have
H been planted amongft hops." lam, however, of a different
opinion to Mr. Dan, and from confiderable experience, I
have obferved, that potatoes keep the foil loofe, moift, and
clean from weeds, and do trees great fervice in their early
ftase.

o

(c) The following is Mr. James's remark, and breathes the
true fpirit of philanthropy: — " Here is an example worthy
" of general imitation. — Every man, in every fituation in life,
" is placed within a certain fphere of aftion, and, whether it
« is extenfive or confined, if he but does his duty, and em-
" braces every opportunity, which prefents itfelf, of doing
«' good, the path of life would be deprived of its ruggednefs ;
«' and if a cloud fhould now and then intervene between us
et and the fun-fhine of our happinefs, it would only fervc as

" a very

OF NORFOLK. gg

(i a very ufeful monitor, by inducing us to reflect, upon the
" inftability of our prefent fituations. If we enjoy comforts,
" in preference to others, it behoves us to be grateful j and
«< that lovely gratitude will be mod acceptable to the benefi-
" cent author of them, which prompts their difFuflion amongft
" our fellow creatures. Riches never were the object of my
" envy ; but, in this point of view, they become fo in the
** greateft degree."

(d) Mr. Strachey having intimated a defire to have this
letter inferted here, I fhall publilh it in the Appendix.

Na

100 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xvii.

LIVE STOCK.

JL HE horfes, as I have before obferved, are fhort,
compact, active, and hardy ; thofe of the original
flanding, and thofe with the Suffolk crofs, in my
opinion, may be confidered equally good ; thofe
which have the Lincolnfhire crofs, as Mr. Marfhall
very properly intimates, are not fo well adapted to
the country.

The cows, which are natives, cannot be much
admired; they are fmall, with turned- up horns,
and generally of a red colour ; but, of late years,
the Suffolk polled cow, of the dun colour, is much
introduced ; it is not, indeed, quite fo hardy, but,
where the paflure is tolerably good, is certainly
more profitable.

The old fort fuit the cottager beff, as they have
little more to give them, than the run of the com-
mon; but thofe of the Suffolk kind are much the

beft

OF NORFOLK. 1QI

bcfl for a farmer, not only as to produce, but as
to the flock reared from them.

Oxen are very little ufed in this county for la-
bour; in no inlhmce, I believe, by farmers, and
by very few gentlemen ; but upon this fubjecl, I
fhall have more to obferve in another place.

The flock grazed or fatted, are about half
Scotch, the one quarter Iriih, and the other quar-
ter what are called home-bred.

The firfl two forts are generally purchafed at
St. Faith's, and other fairs, about Michaelmas;
and, if they are in forward condition, one acre of
turnips will put from five to fix pounds profit
upon an ox by Lady-day or May-day following.
Thofe which are not fo forward, are kept upon
offal turnips in the winter, and fatted off in the
marines by harveft, when they fometimes double
their price at market, within the year; but fi r a
more particular account of the real profit of thefe
cattle, I mull refer my reader to a calculation up-
on them in the Appendix.

The home-breds were formcrlv not reckoned fo
profitable as the Scotch and Irifh; but hncc the
introduction of the SufTolk cow, their credit is
much increafed. — The average weight of a Scotch
bulluck, when fat, may be confidcrcd at 50 Hone,

of

102 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

of 14 lb. to the ftone. I remember one, a few
years fince, of 80 ftone, which was reckoned very
large. I apprehend, that the home-bieds may, in
general, be made to average rather more, in weight,
than the Scotch ; and, to fhow what they may be
brought to, I have authority to ftate, that Mr.
Edward Betts, of Moulton, near Long Stratton,
3aft year fold a five-year old bullock, of his own
breeding, for ^35, the weight of which was 99
ftone, 6 lb. at 14 lb. to the ftone, befides 15 ftone,
8 lb. of fat.

The fheep come next under confideration ; and
here it is neceifary to premife, that great part of
this county is known to have been, within the
fpace of a century, a wild, bleak, unproductive
country, comparatively with what it now is ; full
half of it was rabbit-warrens and (beep-walks ;
the fheep were as natural to the foil as the rabbits,
being hardy in their nature, and of an agile con-
fhuclion, fo as to move over a great deal of fpace
with little labour. When great traces of this land
were brought into a better ftate of cultivation, the
Norfolk fheep gave great aid to the new improve-
ment, as they fetched their fuftenance from a con-
fiderable diftance, and anfwered penning as well as
any fheep whatever. Folding became in high
eftimation, and, aided by marling, brought the im-
provement of the country rapidly forward. Soon
after, the turnip fyftem followed, which enabled

the

OF NORFOLK. IO3

the farmer to improve his flock confidcrably by
better keeping ; fo that, at this time, they are be-
come refpeclable and profitable in their return, and
in as high eflimation, at Smithfield, as any fheep
whatever, for no better mutton can be put upon a
table ; and though they produce but little wool, it
is of good quality. Notwithflanding this, there
are fome gentlemen, and fome confiderable farmers
too, who begin to diflike and defpife them, and
prefer the Lincoln and Leicefler breed: but the
Norfolk farmer will never be able to fubilitute
any other fheep, that will anfwer penning fo \vdi(a)
as the native fheep. The heavy Leicefterfhirc
fheep has not activity enough to move over a fuffi-
ciency of ground to get his living, and therefore
can never anfwer folding; and if the great farmer
gives up folding, he lofes all his confequence, as
he cannot keep his land fo well by any other
means (b), and commits upon himfelf, a fort of
felo de fe: therefore I would have him fully con-
fider the value of this improvement, before he
haflily adopts any other change of Rock, left, by
fo doing, the value of the fold be loft.

Some little reverence is due to what his fore-
fathers and ancient cuftom have fanclioned; there-
fore, even under this confideration, he may, per-
haps, do wrong in parting with the flock that has
long been naturalized to the foil, till he can fir (I

fully

104 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

folly fatisfy himfelf, that the change will he per-
manently for his advantage.

Of late years, there has been a great rage for
crofling the breed of cattle ; and though improve-
ment may have been e Hefted by it, in fome parts,
it cannot be denied, but that it has done great in-
jury in others.— In fhort, it fhould always be done
with great caution, and, in general, it is bed to
keep each fort of cattle as diliinft as poflible in its
kind, as every fort poffeffes fome particular advan-
tages : but when land becomes much improved,
Hock may be improved in proportion ; and in fome
inftances the breed may, undoubtedly, be croffed
with propriety ; but there ought always to be fome
affinity or fimihtude between the cattle which are
croifed. It is a manifell incongruity to match a
horned bull with a Suffolk polled cow ; or a Nor-
folk and a Leicefler fheep ; or a Norfolk and a
South Down; or any long wooled fheep with a
fhort wooled ; but a Leicelterfhire fheep may be
matched, with fome degree of propriety, with a
Cottfwold; and a South Down (heep with a Berk-
fhire or a Herefordfhire Ryland.

I allow, that in Marfhland hundred, in gentle-
men's parks, and in fmall rich inclofures, in the
vicinity of towns, the Leicefterfhire iheep, which
has been lately introduced into fome parts of this
county, will anfwer extremely well ; but, to fup-

pofe

OF NORFOLK. IO5

pofe that the country would be benefited by their
being introduced into all parts of it, to the entire
exclufion of the native fheep, would be extremely
abfurd ; for it is a matter of great doubt, whether
the country would not be nearly ruined by it.
The weft end of it would certainly be moil grie-
vioufly injured ; as a great number of what are
now the fined farms, would unqueflionably revert
back to fomething like their priftine ftate. Indeed,
it feems to me very ftrange, that the Norfolk fheep,
which originally (before the introduction of turnips
and artificial grafTes) was the fole fupport of the
Norfolk tillage, and has fince borne its full pro-
portion in all the modern improvements, fhould,
at this time, fo far lofe its credit, as to admit of a
doubt, with refpeci to its fuitability to the foil, or
its profit to the breeder.

Thofe who keep ewe flocks, find them anfwer
extremely well ; for, befides the fleece and manure,
the average price of the lambs is, at this time,
twelve millings. Thofe who buy the wether lambs
at that age, with a view of bringing them up for
fatting flock, after keeping them eighteen or nine-
teen months, generally fell them at an average of
thirty fhillings, which may be confidered as a very
handfome profit, as they are only kept as flore
fheep the fir ft twelve months, and when fatted, in
general, an acre of turnips will do for eight; from

O which,

106 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

which, however, a deduction mult be made of
about ten fheep, out of a hundred, for cafualty.

Mr. Purdy, of Egmerc, a tenant of Thomas
Wodehoufe, Efq. whole flock is remarkably fine,
fold a three-year old wether, of his own breeding1,
in Smithfield market, lad February, for five gui-
neas, which weighed 38 lb. a quarter, befides 30
lb. of loofe fat — a painting of which, may be l'een
in the office of Kent, Ckridge, and Pcarcc, in
Craig's-court, London, and a print of the true
Norfolk Ram, drawn from the breed of Mr. Bar-
ber, of Dunton, is here introduced.

The pigs are remarkably thin-haired and ftrialij
compared to the Hampfhire breed, but very proli-
fic, and the pork excellent; but the inhabitants
have no idea of making bacon, fartheF than as to
hams and cheeks, which, however, they prepare
extremely well. The number of fwine ufed to be
very great, but is now fomewhat lefs, on account
of the decline of the dairies.

The poultry is fuperlatively good, efpecially the
turkey, which has no equal, at lead in flavour,
which I attribute to the drynefs of the foil, and to
the greater range which they have more than in
other counties; and the confumption is very great,
as well at home, as in what is fent to London, and
other parts.

The

«V*n«r^MJM*ittisKMwr!:i^i.-?vr--: -ju ■■■:-.: -n .■■vj.:"u-.if.v.'f.«=

.

'

'-?

I©

OF NORFOLK. IO7

The pigeons are much fewer than formerly,
as many of the pigeon-houfes have been dropr,
on account of the injury which the pigeons do to
thatched buildings.

The decoys are but few to what they were for-
merly ; bur, as there are fo many marines, and
feveral pieces of water called broads, it is prefumed,
that many of them might be revived to advantage,
as wild-fowl is become more valuable fince the
communication to London is made eafier and
quicker, by means of the turnpike roads.

Rabbits are very numerous, as the warrens are
not only very confiderable, but many other parts
are full of them, particularly near plantations,
where they do great injury, and are very difficult
to keep down.

The game is flill in great plenty, though not
equal to what it was formerly. Many of the gen-
tlemen are too tenacious of it, which makes the
farmer, its natural guardian, lefs careful to pre-
serve it ; and it is too often a fource of difcord in
the county (c).

O 2 NOTES.

108 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

JV O T E S.

(a) Mr. Baillie afks, " Is Mr. Kent quite certain, that
" South Down, and fome other kinds of fheep, will not fold
"or pen as well as the Norfolk?" In the cold climate of
Norfolk, I do not believe they will, at leaft, they have not yet
been fairly tried ; and why fhould a thing that has been long
found to anfwer the purpofe intended, to the full extent of all
reafonable advantage that can be expe&ed from it, give way
to hafty innovation. Let the gentlemen firft try the experi-
ment, and if, contrary to my opinion, it fhould be found to
be an improvement, then let the farmer follow them : but I am
too much the farmer's friend to wifh to fee him try expensive
experiments, where the iffue is doubtful.

I wifh thofe gentlemen, who are fo fond of changing the
native flock, would advert to what Mr. Marfhall very fenfibly
and juftly fays, upon this fubje£t, in his Rural CEconomy of
this county, pages 366 and 367. He afferts, with equal con-
fidence and truth, " that a valuable breed of flock, adapted
" to a given foil and fituation, is an acquifition of ages. That
" the Leicefterfhire fheep (though he highly commends them
" in their proper place) confidered as a breed at large, for
" this county, are wholly unfit: they will not live, like the
** Norfolk fheep, on the heaths and open ground — will not
" fland the fold fo well — will not travel fo well to the London
" markets — or fell, when there, for fo much a pound as the
" Norfolks," &c.

Mr. Dann likewife doubts " whether I have tried the
** South Downs." Certainly not — no one, as I have before
obferved, has yet fairly tried them, though I will frankly

allow,

OF NORFOLK.

J 09

allow, that, next to the native fheep, they would do better
in Norfolk than any other ; for they are a hardy, and a very
good and profitable fheep. All that I have contended for, is,
that I do not fee the neceffity of a general change of the flock.

(3) Mr. Baillie remarks farther — " How do farmers pay
" their rents where no folding is praftifed, and where the
" land is as well cultivated, and the crops of turnips, &c.
" fuperior to Norfolk, and foil of no better quality? In an
" inclofed country, folding is a barbarous practice, and the
" time is not far diftant when it will be totally abolifhcd. " I
wifh to know where this country is, that grows better tur-
nips than in Norfolk, upon foil of equal quality ? As to the
latter part of this remark, I truft, I may venture to affcrt,
that Mr. Baillie will not, in this cafe, prove a true prophet.

(c) The following remark is made by Mr. James : — " I con-
'» fefs myfelf averfe to any fyftem, which, like the game aft,
" is likely to become a fourcc of difcord and contention. I
" don't know whether the intentional deftruction bv the far-
" mer, owing to the reftraint he is under, is not more than
" equal to what it might be, was this arbitrary aft repealed."

HO AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xvm.

BUILDINGS AND REPAIRS.

JLT mutt not be expected, that in a treatife of this
fort, I mould enter into a defcription of the gen-
tlemen's feats, which are in this county, though
Holkham and Houghton are little fhort of palaces,
and a vail many others are extremely fplendid and
commodious. This would be foreign to the de-
iign I have in view, which is merely to take into
confideration, fuch buildings as are neceffarily
connected with agriculture.

This, however, is a confideration of the firft
magnitude.

o

That a farmer fhould have reafonable accommo-
dation, cannot admit of a doubt; but it is highly
improper that he fhould be indulged in unreafon-
able or unfuitable buildings.

Farm-buildings in this county are upon a very
refpe&able footing, but, in my opinion, they are

upon too large a fcale.

Repairs

OF NORFOLK. 1 1 1

Repairs are chiefly done at the expence of the
landlord, and the charge of them is very coiifick-!-
able, not lefs, as I have found by experience, than
10 per cent, including materials.

Farmers are very averfe to flacking (a), though
wheat is preferved fweeter and better on fladdles
than in barns; they are always crying out for barn
room ; and they certainly are indulged in a greater
proportion of it, than farmers in any other county.
It is not uncommon to have barns, upon looi. a
year, which coft 300I. there are many fingle barns
that have been lately erected, which have colt
eonfiderablv more than that fum ; and iome few
farm-houfes, upon farms of about 300I. a year,
have coft 1000I. This is certainly wrong, for
fuch buildings make a great wafte of timber, and
are unnecelTary and, moreover, very bad examples,
as one farmer will always covet a fimilar thing to
what he fees his equal in polfeffion of. I flrould
much rather fee a difpofition in the country, to
build a fumcient number of comfortable cottages,
for the induurious labourers, than to run into an
excefs of indulgence, where no good purpofe can
be anfwered by it (/').

Having fpoken of repairs in a general point of
view, I will add a word or two reflecting the nu-
tcrials.

The

112 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

The old buildings were compofed chiefly of
clay, or laths and plaifler; but all modern build-
ings are built with bricks, which are of a very
good quality; but the lime is not fo good from
chalk and marl, as it is in countries where it is
made from the flone.

The covering is of three kinds, Dutch tile gene-
rally for the houfes, and the common pan-tiles for
ilables and barns, or lea or inarm reed, which is
excellent in quality, and neatly put on. The ge-
neral cod for reed and workmanihip, and every
thing complete, is a guinea a fquare. No cover-
ing is fo good as this, as it will preferve a roof
twice as long as tile.

Where ftraw is ufed for thatch, I earneftly re-
commend the excellent practice of the weft of
England, where the ftraw is combed quite clean
of weeds, the ears of the corn cut off, and reed
(as it is there called) laid on in whole pipes, un-
bruifed by the flail. — The confequence is, that it
is twice as durable, and, in its appearance, much
neater.

Where new buildings are erected, it is eflential
to choofe the moft fheltered ipot which can be
pitched upon, confident with the fituation of the
land, becaufe it is prudent to guard again ft tem-

pefts,

OF NORFOLK.

"3

pefts, as much as poffible, and, becaufe youn<J
flock thrive much better in warm yards.

The following general rules, refpecting new
erections, may be worth obfervmg.

Not to build any thing but what will be really
ufeful. To build upon a fmall compact fcale-,
and, as much as poffible, upon fquares or paral-
lelograms ; not in angles, or notches. To build,
at all times, fubftantially, and with good mate-
rials. Not to lay any timber into frefh mortar,
becaufe the lime eats up and vvaftes the ends of it,
long before the other parts decay; but to lay the
ends into loam or clay. Not to put any window-
frames or door-cafes into new brick-woik, at the
time the walls are canied up ; but to introduce a
difcharging-piece, or lintel, over fuch door and
window fpaces. The reafon of the laft caution is
obvious; for as brick-work fettles, foon after it is
up, the window-frames and door-cafes, on account
of their ftrength, will not yield to it, but occafion
cracks and flaws ; but, when a lintel is made ufe
of, the whole work fettles regularly together, and
door-cafes and window-frames may be then intro-
duced, with more propriety than before.

With refpeer. to the timber moll proper For
building, I know of none that is to be preferred
to Spanilh chefnut, where it can be had, becaufe

P it

114 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

it is very pleafant to work, and as durable as oak,
though it feldom bears the price of it. (See a
letter, on this fubjetl, in the Appendix.) In a ma-
ritime county, like this, where oak fells well,
and deals may be had cheaper than in the inland
parts, it is advifeable, in many inflances, to fell
the one, and buy the other; as the one cuts to
wafte, and the other may be had in any fcantlings
required.

In all paling, battoning, and other fences about
the homeftall, nothing is more ufefal than pol-
lards, and they mould always be made ufe of on
fuch occafions, becaufe they are, generally, the
produce of the farm, of little value, and fave bet-
ter timber. Sometimes they are ufeful in fheds3
and fmall buildings for cattle.

All work, whether old or new, mould be fet,-
as much as poffible, by the job, or great, for a
fixed fum ; always fubjecl;, however, to infpecTaon,
and approbation when finifhed.

In reparations, two points fhould be attended
ro, in preference to every other confideration.
The one is, to keep all the ground-cills or
foundations conftantly tight, to prevent the wall
or upper part of the building from warping, or
getting out of its perpendicular ; the other is,
to keep the thatch or covering, at all times,

whole ;

OF NORFOLK. 11

-whole; to prevent wet from getting in to da-
mage the timber,

ov

When buildings are very old, and in bad con-
dition, it is better to pull them quite down, than
to be at much expence in patching them.

Tenants ought to find flraw for thatching, be-
caufe it is the growth of the farm, and to carry
all materials, for repairs, gratis; becaufe their
teams and carriages are ready on the fpot, and
they can often do it, at leifure intervals, without
much inconvenience.

When farms are leafed, the landlord generally
engages to put them in repair, and the tenant to
keep and leave them fo. But eflates, under this
regulation, are very often neglected, for when
the landlord is not called upon, it is very natural
for him to be carelefs, and, at the expiration
of the demife, there is often a heavy unexpected
charge brought on, for want of a little timely at-
tention ; and it feldom happens that a landlord
can prevail on the departing tenant, to be at much
expence in making good defects, and it is very
unpleafing to be obliged to compel him to do a
thing by force. Conflant attention not only re-
duces the expence of repairs, but brings them to a
more regular and even charge. But, as no exer-
tion or aliiduity, whatever, in an owner or fte-

? i ward,

Il6 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

ward, can be fufficient to attend to every accident
that happens, upon a large eftate, it feems efTen-
tiallv neceffary, that the tenant ought, Come how,
to be interefted in the prefervation of the build-
ings, as well as the landlord, becaufe, as he is al-
ways on the Cpot, he can remedy a breach at the
expence of a milling, by making it in time, which
will coft the landlord a guinea, by being neglected.
He too, vjy being on the fpot, can better attend to
the workmen, to fee that they do not idle away
their time, when they work by the day.

This obvious inconvenience I have, in a great
meafure, remedied upon the ellates under my
care, in this county, by obliging the tenants to be
at one-half of all the expences of workmen's
wages, not exceeding three per cent, however, to
tneir (hare upon the rents ; this, with three per
cent, more from the landlord, and the allowance
of the materials, befides, after buildings are once
put into good repair, will, in general, be fuflicient
to keep them fo.

The advantage refulting from this, does not
merely confift in the faving of the three per cent,
but the tenant, by this means, becomes interefted
in the prefervation of the buildings; and by that
means the adage is verified, of a stitch in time,
&c.

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 117

JV O T E S.

(#) Mr. Boys fays, M the expence of flacking is great, and
" corn of lefs value out of flacks, than out of barns." I ad-
mit there is more expence to the farmer, but it does not
flrike me, as a reafonable thing, that merely to fave the
tenant five per cent, the landlord fhould be put to ten — As to
corn being of lefs value out of flacks than barns, I will not
allow this to be a faci: corn, as 1 have before faid, is pre-
ferved fweeter in the former, than the latter, and better fe-
cured from vermin.

(£) Mr. James obferves, that " this obfervation is admira-
" ble, and as the tenant expefts from his landlord many in-
*' dulgences, fo they ought, on their. part, to cultivate a dif-
" pofition of facrificing a few for the benefit of their induf-
" trious labourers. This example of moderation might fli-
" mulatc his landlord to imitate him."

Mr. Strachcy having intimated a wifh to have fome of the
remarks in my Book of Hints introduced into this Report, I
have, accordingly, added fome of them to my former obfer-
vations upon this fcftion.

Il8 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xix.

IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY

JL HE plough deferves the firfl notice, as it is
compact and light in its conftru6tion, as will be
hereafter ihewn, does its work remarkably clean,
and is eafily managed with one handle (a). The
harrows are no ways remarkable.

The waggon is remarkably heavy, which is the
lefs neceflary, as none of the roads are rocky. It
has, however, one advantage in being made to
lock fo far under the bed, that it will turn as fhort
as a poll chaife (I)).

The cart is likewife heavier than is neceflary ;
and three-wheeled tumbrels are feldom ufed,
though they would often fave thirty per cent, in
the expence of marling.

There is one thing frequently praclifed in hay
and corn harveft, which is, the adding a couple of
temporary fore-wheels, over the fhafts, and two

oblique

The Berkshire Waggon

The Norfolk, IIki^iaphrodite

OF NORFOLK. lig

oblique ladders, a frame to the common carts,
which anfwers the purpofe of a waggon (c), and in
little farms it is a real object of frugality, and in
larges ones a great help in a bufy feafon. — It is
called an hermaphrodite, and I here fubjoin a
iketch of it.

The Berkfhire waggon, of which I alfo fubjoin
a Iketch, is what I recommend, above all others,
to the attention of the Norfolk farmer, being a
horfe's draft lighter than his own, when loaded j
being calculated to carry larger loads ; and being
much lower, which is a very great convenience.

Drill-rollers have lately been introduced, con-
taining rings round the roller, at about ten inches
diftance from each other; thefe make drills in
the land, and the middle part, between the drills,
rifing into a ridge, the corn, by this means, falls
chiefly into the drills, and is better depofited, and
better covered, than it would if fown at random
upon the furrows ; and, confequently, fomewhat
lefs feed does.

This is certainly a great improvement upon the
broad-cad hufbandry, but, notwithflanding, it is,
in my opinion, vaflly inferior to dibbling.

Thefe rings were originally made with wood,
and (hod with iron ; but they are now made very

neatj

12© AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

neat, and fold very cheap, in caft-iron, at the
Norwich Foundery.

There is alfo another inflrument, juft intro-
duced into the Fiegg hundreds, which is an iron
bar faflened upon the piough-beam, and project-
ing out To as to be dragged by the plough along
the middle of the la it furrow, to that which is
turning over; the end of the bar being cut into
a fort of an edge, is loaded with weights to keep
it down, and, by this means, makes a little dent
which catches a great deal of corn, and what it
does catch, is depofited (where land is only once
ploughed) in the middle of the furrow, fo that
the feed, when it ftrikes root, has the benefit of
the beft part of the flag or inverted turf. This
has not been much proved, but it promifes to be
of fome benefit, and, I am inclined to think, it
will be of mo ft ufe in barley fowing.

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 121

JV O T E S.

(a) Mr. Baillie calls it " an awkward complex implement^
•' and what no perfon, that knows good ploughs, would re-
" commend or ufe on any account." This is a very harfh
remark, and I trull he will here Hand alone in his opinion.

(£) Mr. Alderman Partridge " thinks, that if the Berk-
" (hire waggon can be recommended for durability, as well
" as lightnefs, the Norfolk farmer cannot hefitate in adopt-
" ing this propofal." I can affure Mr. Partridge, that it is
infinitely more durable, from obfervations and enquiries
that I have made in both the counties. If a carriage is made of
good materials, and put together with fymmetry, it is better,
and will laft longer, than it will made too ftrong and clumfy.
A heavy carriage, like a great horfe, is worn out by its own
weight, more than by what it carries.

(c) Mr. Baillie further obferves, "that the fame number
*' of horfes, yoked in fingle carts, will carry more weight."
Admitting this as a faft — a fingle cart will not admit of load-
ing fo long a load of hay or corn, in the ftraw, which is what
1 ftatcd as the advantage of this carriage.

Q fteaiou

122 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xx.

THE ADVANTAGE OF LEASES.

JL HE ancient feudal tenures had undoubtedly a
ftrong tendency to enflave mankind, by fubjedt-
ing tenants to the controul and power of an arbi-
trary lord ; but, like all other things, there were
fome advantages to be found in the fyftem. Every
man, who held land, had a certainty in it, as the
tenant generally held his pofleffion for life.
When thefe tenures were difcountenanced, by the
liberal fpirit of modern law, fome new compact
became neceffary, and terms of years were fub-
ftituted in lieu of the former ; for as land, pro-
perly managed, requires great expence, and fel-
dom anfwers that expence in one year, it was but
reafonable that the man, who applied his judg-
ment, devoted his labour, and ventured his capi-
tal, mould have fome reafonable time allowed him
to reimburfe himfelf, and derive fome propor-
tionate reward for what he had done.

In

OF NORJOLK. 123

In the courfe of time, this term began to be
reduced into a regular number of years. As mod
of the land was formerly under the regulation of
two crops and a fallow, the time allowed was from
three to twenty-one years, and the latter, in the
end, became the moft general limitation, and is
the mod prevalent term for leafes at this time (a).

That leafes are the firft, the greateft, and moft
rational encouragement that can be given to
agriculture, admits not of a doubt, in my opinion;
but, of late years, there are very ftrong prejudices
entertained againft them. In this county, it is
rather the fafhion to grant leafes, which, in a great
meafure, accounts for the improvements that have
taken place in it ; moft of the great eftates have
been made from it : for, without leafes, no marl-
ing, to any extent, would have been undertaken,
nor fo much ground brought into cultivation, by
one-third, as there now is. The Holkham eftate,
alone, ftrongly proves this aflertion, as it has been
increafed, in the memory of man, from five to
upwards of twenty thoufand pounds a year, in
this county only, and is It ill increafing like a fnow
ball. Mr. Coke(£), the prefent owner of it, is a
real friend to agriculture, and juftly confidered as
one of the beft landlords in the county. From my
particular knowledge of him, I can fay, that at
leafl two years before his leafes expire, he puts
the tenant upon a footing of certainty, by Hating

O 2 tO

124 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

to him, the terms he expects for a renewal of his
leafe, that he may have time to look out for an-
other farm, in cafe he does not like the conditions
that are offered to him; hut, though the advance
of rent is often very great, I have never feen an
inftance of any tenant leaving him, unlefs grown
too far in years to be able to continue. The
flipulations and refervations in his leafes are
founded, too, upon principles of equity, and con-
fid in no unneceffary repetition, or unreafonable
exactions, being couched in plain terms, fuch as
ought to compofe a liberal contract between a
gentleman and an induftrious tenant ; which may
be worth imitation, in thofe who are fond of
crowding their leafes with overbearing compulia-
toiy claufes, tending more to create obedience and
fervility in their tenants, than to promote good
huibandry (c). There are fome few eflates, in this
county, of a very confiderable fize, where leafes are
entirely withheld; but it is evident, that thefe
eftates are obliged to be let for, at leafl, 20 per
cent, lefs than what they would be, if leafes were
granted (d). In many other counties the prejudice (
is fo ftrorig, that an owner would almoft as foon
alienate the fee fimple of his eftate, as demife it
for a term of years. I will not be fo harm as to
fay, that this diflike to leafes arifes from obftinacy
or want of fenfe, but it is certainly an unfortunate
prejudice, which the proprietor takes up, and
tends greatly to injure the public. One of the

arguments

D

OF NORFOLK. 125

arguments made life of is, that it makes the te-
nant infolent and independent. There may be
fome few inflances of this fort, but they ought
not to be allowed to operate to the general injury
of a country, however indifferent a gentleman
may be to the advantage of his own purfe. A man
of large landed property owes, in my opinion,
fomething to fociety, and ought to get rid of his
prejudices, where they affe£t the community (c).
Providence, who put bin in poffeilion of his pro-
perty, undoubtedly meant that he fhould in lome
fort acl as a public fteward, and it cannot be right
that he fhould wrap up the talent entrusted to his
care in a napkin. It grieves me to go into a
country, which I often do, and find it almoft in a
flate of nature, becaufe, the foil being wet and
expenfive to cultivate, the tenant cannot afford to
do it without encouragement, and the owner's in-
furmountable objection to leafes, keeps him from
granting the fort of encouragement which is effen-
tially neceffary. The yeomanry, in fuch parts,
are upon a wretched miferable footing; the pub-
lic fuilains a vafl lofs ; and the owner has, in lieu
of the comfort he might beftow, and the good he
might do, no other confolation than that he has
the county more at command. But even this is a
midake; for I have, except in few inflances, al-
ways found a tenant as obliging and well behaved
to his landlord, when he had a leafe as when he
had not.

The

126 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

The arguments in favour of leafes feem to me
fo powerful, that I could not, on this occafion,
fupprels giving my full fentiments relating to them ;
and it feems unreafonable, to the greateft degree,
to expect a tenant to hazard all he is worth, and
devote the bed part of his life, upon an eftate,
which, upon the death, or perhaps the mere ca-
price, of his landlord, he is liable to be turned out
of at fix months notice. I will not, however,
deny, that there may be fome reafonable excep-
tions againft the practice I wifh to recommend,
where lands lie near a gentleman's houfe, part of
which it may be an object to take into hand ; or,
if a minor be very near of age, or if there be any
immediate deiign of felling an eftate, it is not pru-
dent to grant leafes, becaufe, in the latter cafe, a
purchafer may wi(h to enter into immediate pof-
ieffion, and may have particular objects in view,
which will induce him to give a higher price than
he would, under the idea of purchafing merely to
pay him a reafonable intereft. But, except in
ihefe inftances, leafes, in my opinion, cannot be
too ftrongly recommended ; for I am certain, that
where eftates are under an entail, or in a family
that has no idea of parting with them, leafing i>,
unqueftionably, the molt effectual means of railing
their value, as the owner, by this means, has it in
his power to flipulate for improvements, in what
manner and proportion he pleafes (/)» which he
cannot do by any other means fo well.

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 127

JV* O T B S.

(a) Mr. James remarks, that ct Icafes, 1x10(1 a flu redly, may
" be granted, for too long a period, as the contrary. That
•: juft equilibrium of intereft, which is fo eflential between
"the landlord and his tenant, would be in danger of being
«' deflroyed, by running into either extremes: if a leafc is
«« for a fhort period, the latter is without any ftimulus to
" employ his capital in improvements of any kind, and it
<; very frequently may prove a temptation to injure the farm,
" by with-holding even thofe which arc absolutely neceflary;
" on the other hand, if the leafe is for too long a term, the
" tenant is likely to become too independent — twenty-
" one years I conceive to be the true medium. But that any
" fhould be mad enough, and fo completely blinded to their
if own intereft, and that of fociety, for a conneftion there
" certainly is, as I have before obferved, not to grant any
" leafes at all, is fcarcely to be believed. — Trace this to its
" fource, and you will difcover it to proceed from prejudice,
" the legitimate child of ignorance and pride."

(b) Mr. Baillie very properly obferves here, " that Mr.
*'• Coke is one of the beft friends to agriculture, in all its va-
«' riations, that this ifland affords, and is deicrving of beinj
" held out as a pattern."

(c) Mr. Strachey thinks, {C a full abftraft or copy of one
** of thefe leafes in the Appendix will be ufeful." A fhort
abftra£l fliall accordingly be infertcd.

(d) Mr. WagftafF fays, "this do&rinc of lcafi-s, with the
" fubfequent remarks on their expediency, is founded on

*' fa6U

128

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

" fa£ts not, I believe, to be overthrown, as, indeed, the pofi-
«« tions, educed from thefe fa£ts, are warranted by reafon, and
•' are eftablifhed on the bafis of the facts themfelves."

(c) Mr. Dan fays, " I am glad to find, that my obferva-
" tions, ftated in other Reports, on this important queftion,
«• are fanclioned by this refpectable reporter."

(/) Mr. Baillie fays, " this is moft liberal and excellent
*« reafoning ; it is only in very few parts of this ifland, where
*' we find good farming, except under long leafes."

Mr. Dan further obferves, that " thefe are fuch ftrik-
*' ing inftances of the advantage to the landlord, by granting
ic leafes, that I hope they will have a proper effe£t on thofe
" who are prejudiced againft the practice."

OF NORFOLK. 120,

£>zttim\ xxl

THE SIZE OF FARMS CONSIDERED.

A HE comparative produce of great and fmall
farms, is a queftion of the greateft importance, that
can come under the confideration of the Board of
Agriculture, and is highly deferving of its mod
ferious attention. It is a fubjedl on which no per-
foti can (land neutral, but muft take a decided pari:
one way or another. Much has been faid upon it,
but very little proved — becaufe it is very difficult
io form calculations, that would be conclufive,
unlefs real occupiers could be induced to lay
open their profits and expenditure, which can-
not be expected ; it is therefore from obfervation
and conjecture, that arguments pro. and con. can
be deduced. It fhould, however, feem, even up-
on a flight confideration of the fubjeft, that agri-
culture, when it is thrown into a number of
h,.iids, becomes the life of induflry, the fource of
plenty, and the fountain of riches ttJ a country;
and that monopolized and grafped into a few
hands, muft difhearten the bulk of mankind, who,

R by

I3O AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

by this means, are obliged to labour for others,
inftcad of themielves, mult lefTen the general pro-
duce, and greatly affect the community at large.

The arguments generally made ufe of in favour
of large farms, are, that a great expence is faved
in repairs and labour, particularly in doing the
culture with a leis number of horfes : that a lars"e
capital in farming is as necelfarv, as in trade, for
without a large capital, no confiderable improve-
ment can be undertaken or effected, nor a proper
or fuitable fiock kept upon land; and, that as to
corn, heavier crops are grown, by means of the
land being better worked and manured.

The arguments for fmall farms, are, that they
reward merit, encourage induftry, fill the markets
with plenty, increafe population, and furnifh the
belt clafs of men in all fubordinate ftations of life.

As to the firfl, refpecling repairs, it muft Hand
admitted; but, as an ample drawback from that
advantage, the land is, in general, let, at leafl, 20
per cent, cheaper in large, than it is in fmall farms.
As to its being done with lefs expence, that is,
with a lefs number of horfes, if that were a fact,
it would certainly be a great advantage to the
public, but, when the great farmer's riding horfes,
and, lometimes, other horfes of pleafure and lux-
ury,

OF NORFOLK. Igl

ury, are added to thofe ufed upon the labour of a
farm, no credit will be due to this aflfertion.

That a fufTicient capital is as neceflary in farm-
ing, as in any branch of commerce, mult be allow-
ed, but it does not hold good, that becaufe a man
has but a fmall capital, he ought not to be fuffered
to make ule of it at all ; fuch doctrine would be
abfurd, impolitic, and inhuman.

That a large capital is more equal to great im-
provements, than a fmall one, is felf evident j but,
except in fome few in fiances, I cannot fee why
the latter fhould not keep pace, in a propor-
tionate degree, at leaft, with the former. Re-
flecting flock, no one can prefume to lay, that
a little farmer can fet a fold fo well as a great far-
mer, but he generally keeps more milch cows, in
proportion, than the latter, which makes ample
amends to the public.

As to corn, I am not inclined, even in this in-
flance, to allow, that better crops are grown by
the great, than the fmall farmer, unlefs it be by
means of the former having a (heep-walk, or fome
Other fimilar advantage over the latter ; upon this
particular point, I fhall refer to the comment of
Mr. Cole, of Loddon (a).

So far, I have endeavoured to carry on a com-
parative ftatement between great and lmall fauns,

R 2 as

I32 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

as far as relates to a general anfwer to the common
outlines of obfervation on them : but there are
other remarks to be made, of great confideration —
the fiirft is, as to the effect they have upon fociety
at lar^e. Here, I believe, it will be pretty obvious,
that if there were none but great farms, the com-
mon articles of confumption in every family would
be fo diminished, that the middling race of man-
kind would not be able to fupply their tables, and
the common labourer would be abfolutely ftarved;
for there would be no butter, cheefe, pork, eggs,
or poultry, to be bought, as great farmers raife no
more of thefe articles than they require for their
own confumption. At this very time, chiefly, I
believe, from the great farmers dropping their
dairies, the markets of Yarmouth and Norwich are
fo ill fupplied with butter, that it is become a
matter of favour to be able to obtain enough for
common confumption, notwithftanding the price,
within a very few years, is increafed from 8d. to
i6d. the pint, weighing 20 oz. And as to pigs,
which diminifh of courfe with the dairies, they are
now become fo dear, that thofe farmers who want
them in lean, to {hack their flubble, cannot buy
them under half-a-guinea a ftone [b).

If great farms only are to be encouraged, xvhich
feem to be the aim of fome, huibandmen of fmall
capitals, let them be ever fo induftrious, will be
effecluallv cut off from the common means of

raifmg

OF NORFOLK. I33

raifing themfelves in life, as there will be no chan-
nel for their introduction. Population will like-
wife receive an irrecoverable blow from the fun-
prefhon of thofe little hives of plenty (c). But
moft great farmers, and, I am afraid, fome authors
of eminence upon agriculture, and even upon po-
pulation, may, perhaps, differ with me in opinion.
I am not vain enough to fuppofe, that any thing I
can fay will alter their opinion, but, for the fake
of the community, and the particular comfort of
the middling and lower claffes of fociety, I hope it
may have fome weight with gentlemen of landed
eflates, who are the natural guardians of the latter,
and who would find their confequence much aug-
mented, by a clofer attention to the inferior huf-
bandmen; and, I am greatly miftaken, if their
fortunes would not like wife be improved by it.

The inhabitants of this county are naturally
induftrious, active, and perfevering, and have cer-
tainly the merit of having brought thoufands of
acres into cultivation, which in any other part of
England, except Suffolk, (where there is a conge-
nial difpofition) would have been defpifed, and
fufFered to lie m an unproductive ftate, which is
a lufficicnt conhduation to induce gentlemen of
landed property to encourage as many hands as
polhble in fuch ufeful cultivation.

The complaint againft great farms is not of any
long ftanding— the evil (if I may be allowed (■>

call

134 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

call it fo) feems to have encreafed in proportion
to the decline of fairs and pitched markets. If it
were the cuftom for the great farmer, as formerly,
to bring- his corn to the public market, as is flill
the cafe at Uxbridge, Newbury, and fome other
places, the home diflricls would never be fhort of
corn ; but wThile the great farmer and miller are
allowed to fettle large bargains, over a bottle of
wine, in a private room, from the exhibition of a
mere pocket fample, a country may at any time
be kept m the dark, as to the real quantity of corn
in it, and little farmers, by this means, mud be
quite ruined. I wifh, therefore, to fee fairs en-
couraged, and public markets revived : the lad of
which are all reduced, in this county, (as far as
relates to corn) to fale by fample only.

But, after all, it is the excefs of the grievance
which 1 wifh to correct. — The evil is now fo great,
that there are many farms of icool. a year, in this
county, and Mr. North's farm at Rougham, was
lately 1700I. but I have the fatisfa&ion to be able
to fay, that he is now dividing it into four. The
letting lands in fuch large farms, as this was, is
evidently bad policy, if it were merely as to leffen-
ing the choice of tenants ; for where they have
one, in the prefent inftance, capable of carrying
on fuch farms, they would have twenty in the
other.

I will,

OF NORFOLK. I35

I will, however, admit, though I am an advo-
cate for fmall farms, that, as the country is now
fituated, no farm fhould be under 30I. or 40I. a
year, and even thefe fhould be dairy farms, nor
would I have any arable farm under 50I. I will
flill go farther, and lay, that the greateit number
fhould be from 80I. a year to 150I. none ought to
exceed 200I. where the land is of a good quality ;
or 500I. even upon the poorelt land, where great
farms, on account of a large flock of fheep, are
moll admiffible. The greater the difference in
their fize, between the preceding extremes, per-
haps, the better, as they will better play into each
other's profits ; fome will raife cattle to more ad-
vantage than they can fat them, and others will
fat them to more advantage than they can raife
them.

I have made thefe remarks with freedom, but I
truft, with temper and good manners to thofe of an
oppofite opinion, and flia.ll be happy, if what I
have advanced mould have any effect upon thole
in whofe power it lies to correct the grievance
complained of.

NOTES.

136 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

JV O T E

la) Mr. Cole being afked his opinion upon this fubjdft, irt
a letter to his friend, Mr. Ewcn, writes thus ; — " I am of
** opinion, that three farms, in this neighbourhood, of 50I.
" 100I. and 150I. per ann. produce a larger quantity of corn,
** per acre, more cheefe, butter, live and dead ftock, for
** market, than one farm of 300I.

(£) In my former report, where I flate the injury of great
farms to fociety, Mr. Howlett has this remark : — " Notwith-
" {landing what is here intimated, the reafonings of Mr.
*' Arthur Young, Lord Sheffield, and fome others, on the
" oppofite fide, feem to me unanfwered." I thought it right
not to fuoprefs this remark, though it d6es not make for my
argument, as I notice three other commentators whofe obfer-
vations 60 make for it.

(c) Mr. James very juftly obferves, " that lately the en-
" largement of the farms, or the concentrating fmall farms
" into one, is fo fevere a blow upon population, that I may
" venture to hazard an opinion, that if this growing evil is
" not verv foon coi reded, the nioft certain method of calcu-
'« lating the population, will be by the poor's rates." -And
further obferves, in anfwer to the argument fet up in -favour
of great farms, from land being poor, " that he knows no
«« better method of amending fuch poor land, than by eniich-
" in» it with induilvious inhabitants."

o

Mr.

OF NORFOLK. 137

Mr. Wagfhiff likcwifc, upon this iinportant fubjcft, em-
braces the fame idea ; he is pleafed to allow, that my remark
is " incontrovertibly juft, and amounts to a proof, that fub-
•' divided farms increafe the people, which accefhon of num-
" bcrs becomes national riches, where employ is at hand, and
" it is capable of evidence, that fifty acres of land, under an
" induftrious occupier, fupplv more to the mafs of general
" provilions, in proportion to his occupation, than the occu-
" pier of one thoufand acres :" — and, in another place, he
thinks, that if the complaint was remedied, '; it would be
<; ultimately advantageous to the lord, his tenants, and their
" common country."

fteftfo

138 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xxii.

THE ADVANTAGE OF WORKING
OXEN.

>©«

IN EXT to the recommendation of the beft
modes of culture, the cheaper! means of effecting
it, deferve our attention, and, laftly, frugality in
the confumption of the produce.

If it is a fact, which cannot be difproved, that
oxen, in fome fort of work, are equal to horfes, in
thefe cafes, they certainly ought to be preferred,
becaufe they are kept at confiderably lefs expence,
and lefs cafualty attends them. It would evidently
be very much for the advantage of this country,
if oxen were in higher eflimation than they are :
upon every farm where three teams are kept, one
of them, at leaft, ought to be an ox team ; for
though oxen would not, perhaps, entirely anfwer
the end, to the total exclufion of horfes, there is,
undoubtedly, a great deal of work that they would>
as before obferved, do as well, particularly in cart-
ing and all heavy work. In rnofl in nances, they

are

OF NORFOLK. 139

are nearly equal to horfes, and, in their fupport,
they are full thirty per cent, cheaper. At prefent
no farmers ufe them in Norfolk ; but Mr. Coke,
Mr. Colhoun, and fome few other gentlemen, oc-
cafionally do, and I hope their example, ere long,
will be followed by the farmers in general. It
was with infinite fatisfaclion, that I fome time
fince learnt, that Lord Hawke, whofe experiments
in hufbandry are very extenfive in Yorklhire, has
there fet an example of ploughing with two oxen
to a plough only, which is attended with complete
fuccefs, as they plough nearly as much as an equal
number of horfes, and if the cheapnefs of their
keep, and other circumftances in their favour, are
confidered, they are certainly preferable to horfes.
There is, in this country, a ftrong prejudice againfl
this generous animal, which is the firft thing to
get over — when that can be removed, the credit of
the ox will foon follow.

The principal advantage which the farmer
would derive from oxen, is in the moderate ex-
pence of their keep, and in their being attended,
as I have before obferved, with lefs rifle.

The befl way is, however, not to over-work
them, for in that cafe, they will require rather more
hay than a horfe, and half as much corn, and if
they arc fufTered to fall into low condition, it will
require confiderable cxpence and time to get them
up again.

The

140 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

The plan that I have found to anfwer beft, is
this, fuppofe four were called a team, which, in
this county, would be enough, and that one man
was appointed to attend them; I would advife fix,
inftead of four, to be the team, as one man might
attend them at the fame expence as four, but I
would only work four of them at a time, and let
two of them reft two days out of the fix, by which
means, they would, in fact, work only four days
out of the feven. In the fummer months they
fhould have a leafow or pafture to run in, where
there is plenty of water and an open flied, where
they fhould have a bait, the day they were worked,
of green vetches, cut grafs, or any thing the farm
might furnifh. In the winter, they mould be
kept in a yard, with the fame fort of fried for them
to run into at pleafure, and here they fhould have
plenty of barley or oat draw, and offal turnipr,
and in the days of working, cut hay and ftraw,
mixed in equal proportions, in Read of ftraw, and
turnips befides. In this manner, they will, in ge-
neral, do extremely well, and will, at all events,
earn as much as the value of their keep, fo that
their work will ^e had for nothing. An-
other great advantage is, that in cafe of falling
lame, there is no diminution, by that means, in
their value, for if their fhoulders do not return a
profit, their ribs will ; but if a horfe falls lame, at
leaft, half his value is loft. So far I have de-
fcribed the advantage of the ox to his employer —

but

OF NORFOLK. 1^1

but to the public, the advantage is fuperlatively
ftriking. — The ox, when labouring, does not con-r
fume fo much corn as the horfe, for, according to
my plan, he would not confume any; and when
his labour is done, his bodv goes to the nourifh-
ment of men — but the body of the other is good
for nothing but to feed dogs.

The more the number of horfes can be leffened,
the better for all ranks of people. The conlump-
tion by horfes, efpecially horfes of pleafure, and
luxury, is aftonifhing; for though a horfe in agri-
culture, does not confume above three acres of the
fruits of the earth in a year, a horfe kept upon the
road, eats yearly, in hay and oats, the full produce
of five acres of land. A man, allowing him a
pound of bread, and a pound of meat a day, or in
that proportion, not quite an acre and a quarter ;
and as the poor cat but very little meat, it cannot
be put at more than an acre to them : (o that one
of thofe horfes eats nearly as much as five men.
The more, therefore, we reduce our number of
horfes, the more plentiful will be the fruits of the
earth for man. Under this idea, perhaps, the
tax upon horfes of pleafure and luxury may be a
real advantage to the community. Let any perfon
but confider how thefe horfes fvveep olf the pro-
duce of the earth: I am told, and I believe, from
good authority, that in the city of Norwich, not
quite fifty year;, fmcc, there were only twelve car-

142 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

riages of pleafure and luxury, and that there are now
feventy-two, including poft-chaifes, and thirteen
hackney coaches beficles ; and if we allow three
horfes to each carriage, upon an average, allow-
ing for change, this will make a difference of 219
horfes in the city of Norwich only. At that time,
there was only one coach to London ; now there
are two mail coaches, and two heavy coaches ;
and, as there cannot be allowed lefs than fixty
liorfes to each mail coach, and fifty to each of
the others, this makes an increafe of 170 horfes
more. — There is alfo a coach to Lynn, and an-
other to Yarmouth, which cannot take lefs than
twenty horfes more — here then is a difference, up-
on a round calculation, of 409 additional horfes,
in what affetts Norwich only ; which, at five acres
to a horfe, confume the additional produce of
2045 acres. If this mode of calculation be ex-
tended to other towns in the county, it will
amount to a very great number of acres, in the
aggregate, and multiplied by a fimilar increafe in
all other parts of England, will fhew, that one
great caufe of the dearnefs of provifions, is owing
to the number of horfes which are kept more than
formerly.

OF NORFOLK. 143

Section xxiii.

COMMERCE; OR A STATEMENT
OF EXPORTS.

JL HE credit of a country is ufually confidered in
proportion to its general produce. If its agricul-
ture does not produce more, in the whole, than
what is fufficient to fupport itfelf, and its own ru-
ral trades, it muft evidently be minus in the com-
mon fcale of production ; becaufe every country
mud at lead look for afhftance from fome clothing
manufactory, though foreign luxuries were totally
out of the queflion. But if the hufbandry of any
particular diflricl can fupport itfelf and its local
trades, and furnifli half as much as it confumes,
either to encourage manufactures at home, or to

o *

fupply foreign markets, it may fairly be denomi-
nated a good country.

That Norfolk will ftand eminently high in re-
putation, when viewed in this light, will not ad-
mit of a doubt from any perfon who is iuilicicntly

acquainted

144 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

acquainted with its powers. But as fpeculations
of this fort may be new to many perfons who may
peTufe thefe remarks, I fhali endeavour to explain
through what channels this great abundance fwclls
to fuch a head, that imitation may fecure the lame
advantages, where congeniality of circumflances
will admit of it.

In a good corn year, when there is a free expor-
tation, it has been faid, that the four Norfolk ports
export as much corn as all the reft of England;
which I believe to be true, for it is feldom lets
than a million fterling in value, and often more ;
and though lome of the corn comes down the
Waveney out of Suffolk, and fome down the
Ouze from two or three of the midland counties,
this addiiion feldom bears the proportion of more
than an eighth part of the Yarmouth export, and a
third of the Lynn, which is not more than a
tenth upon the whole.

The following is the nearefl calculation I can
make of the ulual excels of corn, and other
articles of provifion, fent yearly out of the
county, after referving not only a fufficiency for
its people employed in agriculture, but for fifty
thoufand home manufacturers, and fix thoufand
feamen.

The

OF NORFOLK. 145

The corn I am able to flate with accuracy, as I
have obtained it from the Cuitom-houfe books,
where the quantity exported is regiftered (a). The
cattle I cannot be fo confident of"; but I have
taken all the pains in my power to glean up the
bed information that could be obtained; and
where I have deduced any thing from companion,
I have taken care to be within the limits of jufti-
fication. The bridges of St. Germain and Mag-
dalen, afcertain, in fome degree, the number of
Scotch and Irifh cattle brought into the county;
and the turnpikes leading out of the county, toge-
ther with the afiiftance which I have had from Mr.
Archer, and other intelligent falefmen at Smith-
field and St. Ives, enable me to come pretty near
to what I conceive to be the truth.

Laft year there were actually 20,594 fat bul-
locks, brought from Norfolk to Smithfield and
lflington, and about 3C00 to St. Ives and other
places; but, either from the war or fome other
caufe, this is confidered rather as a larger fupply
than ufual ; but they may be fafely taken at 20,000
as a yearly average, about one-quarter of which
are home-bred beads, and the remainder Scotch
and Irifh. The flieep are fuppofed to be upwards
of 30,000; at leaft they may be fafely taken at
that number. Objects, iuch as twine, butter, rab-
ultry, &c. are not of io much confequence,
but luLfice it, that they (hail all be moderately
eilimatedi

T The

I46 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

The return from the Norwich manufactory, I
mall not include in my aggregate, as there is a
great importation of coarie wool, to fupport it,
from Lincolnshire and other parts: nor fhall I fet
any value upon the whale or mackerel fifheries,
as they are very precarious ; but as the herring
fifhery is a permanent, though alio a variable
branch of provincial profit, and is wholly fed and
fupported by the county, I think it fair to include
it.

In fhort, manufactures are to be confidered as
an object deferving a feparatc inveftigation. But
they are, undoubtedly, more deferving of encou-
ragement in a produ&ive, than a flerile country;
efpecially where the induftry of the inhabitants is
fingularly meritorious, as is the cafe at Norwich,
where new objects of manufacture have recent-
ly been introduced, fince the woollen has de-
clined; but (lill it would be better if the manufac-
tory, which has been fo long familiar to the city,
could be encouraged, fo as to regain its former
fplendour and extent, which, it is fuppofed, might
be the cafe, if, through the affiftance of Govern-
ment, a free communication could be opened with
China, where, if 1 am rightly informed, the Nor-
wich goods are in a confiderable degree of cre-
dit (b).

I (hall begin my recapitulation with the corn,
which is to be confidered as the yearly average

whicii

OF NORFOLK.

147

which has been exported to foreign parts and
coaftways, for the laft three years, which were far
from being prime ones.

The excefs of each fpecies of grain, after de-
ducting an equal quantity to balance what is oc-
cafionally imported, and alfo an eighth part from
the port of Yarmouth, upon all grain for the fup-
pofed proportion furniihed by Suffolk, and a third
from Lynn, (upon all, except barley) fuppofed to
come down the Ouze out of the midland counties.
But, it is conjectured, as much barley goes up the
Ouze as comes down it. Premifing this, the ac-
count will Hand thus :

FROM TAEMOU

Quarters.

Pr. per Qr. at

£• *• d.

Wheat, . . 22466

240

Wheat Flour, 3^578

2 16 0

Barley, . . 129384

140

Malt, . . . 66579

200

Rye, . . . 1 31 5

1 5 0

Pea(e, . . . 61 16

1 8 0

Beans, . . . 10440

140

From which take, for 7479 quarters
of oats imported more than v. 11c
exported, at 17s. a quarter, . .

Amount.

£• '•

d.

49425 4

85618 8
155860 16

0
0
0

1331s? 0
1643 15
S562 8

0
0

0

12528 0

0

446796 11

0

6356 3

0

Tot. of Exports.
£. * d.

Neat exports from Yarmouth, 440440 8 o

T2

FROM

148

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

FROM LYNN.

Wheat, . .
Wheat Tlour,
Barley, . .
Malt, • • ■
Rye, . . .
Peafe, •
Beans, .
Vetches, . .
Rape Seed, .

Quarters.

30016

3138

1 12944.

1070}

12298

• 3855
470S

• 73
. 24.23

Pr. per Qr, at

Amount.

Tot. of Exparts.

£. *'. &

£, s. d.

£■ '• i

n. 4 0

66035 4 0

216 0

8,726 8 0

140

13553s 16 0

200

214^6 .0 0

1 5 0

15371 10 0

1 8 0

53.97 0 0

140

5649 11 0

iii> 0

109 10 0

1 16 0

436! 8 0

From which take, for 4991 quarters
of oats imported more than were
exported, at 17s. a quarter, . .

261650 8 o

4244

The neat exports from Lynn, 258406 7 o

N. B. The excefs of linleed imported, is about
equal to the muftard feed exported.

FROM WELLS.

Quarters.

Pr. per Qr. at

Amount.

£■ s. d.

£■ s-

Wheat, . .

. 4186

240

9209 4

Wheat Flour,

. 2634

216 0

73/5 4

Barley, . .

. 58376

140

70051 4

Malt, . .

10464

200

20928 0

Rye, . . .

• 397

150

496 5

Peafe, . .

• 215°

1 8 0

3010 0

From which take, for 2553 quarters
of oats imported over and above
the quantity exported, at 17s. .

111069 17 o

2170 1

Meat exports from Wells, 108899 16

FROM

OF NORFOLK.

149

FEC M BL ICKENET AND CLAY.

Quarters.

Wheat, . .
Wheat Flour,
Barley,
Malt, . •
Rye, . . .
Peafe, . .

6373

785

59176

2525

46

1240

Pr. per Qr. at

£> s- <*•

240

2 16 o
140
200
1 5 o

Amount.

£■ '■
14031 12

2198 o

71011 4

5050 o

57 10

1736 o

94084 6 o
From which take the excefs of 364
quarters of oats imported, at 17s.
a quarter, 309 8 o

Neat exports of Blackeney and Clay, 9377418 o

Tptal amount of the whole county, after deducting

for the Suffolk and midland proportion . . . 901 521 9 o

Tot. of Exports.
£. *• i*

CATTLE.

5000 home-bred bullocks, at icl.
15,000 Scotch and Iriih, the fatting pro-
fit which may be let? at 5I. each,

30,00? Iheep, at il. 10s

Swine, not lefs than ....

Rabbits, at leaft

Dairy articles, about ....
Poultry and game, ....
Wool, conjectured to be about .
The herrings exported,
50,000 lambs, at i2s

Add, for corn, grain, flour, Sec. as before dated,

Total yearly pro ' n of the county,

I.

s.

./.

50000

0

0

75000

0

0

45000

0

0

10000

0

0

1OO0O

0

0

80000

0

0

3000

0

0

2O0OO

0

0

50000

0

>J

30000

0

0

£■

373000 o
901521 9

1274511 9

I have

150 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

I have purpofely brought the whole into money,
with a view of (hewing with the greater eafe, what
number of perfons this extra, or fuperabundant
produce is equal to the fupport of. And if we
apportion ten pounds for the fuflenance of a
human being, one with another, which muft be
acknowledged to be a liberal allowance, where
luxuries are excluded, it will appear, that this
county fends out a foreign fupply for upwards of
127000 perfons. And if we take the 56,000 em-
ployed in the home manufactures and navigation,
from the whole population of the county, it will
fhew, that the county furniihes more than a fufli-
ciency for double the number of perfons employ-
ed in agriculture and its appendant trades.

Every impartial man, who confiders this vaft
produce, muft be ftruck with aflonifhment ; and
as Norfolk is far from being naturally a good
country, it muft, undoubtedly, be to art and in-
duftry, that this great fource of treafure is to be
afcribed. It is evidently fo great, that no part of
England, not even the famous vales of Taunton,
White Horfe, or Evefham, are fuppofed to exceed
it in proportion of corn.

Government muft certainly draw from this
county a much greater portion of revenue, than
from any other; for as nearly one-third part of
all the arable land is fown with barley every year,

and

OF NORFOLK. j ni

and as the bailey crop is generally very good,
(half of it being fown upon clean land after tur-
nips) the return which it mufl make, when traced
through the malt-houfe, brew-houfe, and diftil-
lery, will be found to amount to a fum almolt in-
credible.

I do not exhibit this ftatement as a panegyric
on the county ; but to point out to the Board of
Agriculture, how beneficial this kind of huibandry
is above all others ; not only to the individual,
but to the public revenue : a mofl powerful argu-
ment this, for Government to give all poffible en-
couragement to inclofures in general ; and a grand
inducement for other countries to follow the like
courfe of huibandry, wherever the foil will admit
of it.

NOTES.

*5a AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

JV O T E S.

(a) Lord Rofeberry has the following remark r — <{ Where

" duties are not to be paid, the Cuftom-houfe books are not a

" rule to judge by, as every exporter enters, at random, any

" quantity he plcafes, and always more than he is likely to

"export, to prevent the trouble and expence of a fecond cn-

" try, there being no necefhty or obligation for entering the

" exa£l quantity they are to export. The debentures being

" given on corn afterwards, on the real quantity {hipped ;

u and it is from the regifter of the entries only, however,

" that this calculation is made, or even the reports to parlia-

" ment, which make them very fallacious, and this members

" of parliament fliould advert to." How far this may affe£l my

calculation, I cannot prefume to fay : I have given my ftate-

ment, on the beft information I could obtain, and flatter my-

felf, at leaft, that it is not far from the truth.

(b) Mr. Alderman Partridge, in remarking, in an other
place, upon the trade of Norwich, " hopes the decline of the
si trade of Norwich is but temporary." I trufl fo too, and
that it will revive and become profperous again.

OF NORFOLK. I53

Section xxiv.

GENERAL OUTGOINGS,

U XDER this head, I fhall not take notice of
the common expences of cultivation by cattle, or
labour by man, as thefe are charges which every
fituation is alike fubjeft to, fave as to the diffe-
rence in foil, and diftance from markets, &c. but
fhall confine myfelf to the two great objects which
affect landed efta-tes in general, namely, tythes and
poor-rates.

As to tythes, the fubjecl: is fo delicate, that
great caution ought to be obferved in treating of
it. In the firft place, the permanency of the title
refts upon the fame bafis as all other eftates in the
kingdom ; therefore, nothing can be fo idle as half
the fchemes which are talked of for frefh regula-
tions of it. Whatever is done, muff be brought
about by general concurrence and amicable agree-
ment.

[J The

154 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

The clergy, it is well known, are not poffefTed
of all the tythes in England, perhaps, one-fourth
of the corn tythes are in the hands of lay-impro-
priators, and, to confefs the truth, I have never
found the former more exacting than the latter ;
therefore it is wrong to imprefs farmers with an
idea, that if they could get rid of tythes, they
would have their land the cheaper j on the con-
trary, every farmer, before he takes a farm, ought
to confider, that the land he treats for is liable to
fuch an outgoing, and mould make a referve in
his eMimate accordingly, which he does not always
do, and by that means farmers fometimes deceive
themfelves, and when a new clergyman comes and
propofes an alteration,, whether it is reafonable or
not, they fet their faces againft complying with it,,
and difcord takes place in the parifh.

As to the general fcale upon which tythes are
let in this country, I do not think it can be faid3
that they are exorbitantly high ; I believe the
highefl price, for all tythes, is five millings an
acre, upon the very befl arable land, and two (hil-
lings upon the beft meadows and pa-Mure, at leafi:
it is fo, with very few exceptions. The more ge-
neral compofition is three millings and fixpence
an acre, for the arable, and one milling and fix-
pence for the grafs. — In the very light parts of
the county, it is two fhillings an acre, for the for-
mer, and ninepence for the latter; and there i*

hardly

OF NORFOLK. I55

hardly an indance, in fifty parifhes, of tythes being
fet out, or taken up in kind.

Yet, after all, it is a mod unpopular eflate, and
highly difcouraging to all new improvements in
particular, becaufe, in this indance, thefe under-
takings cannot be effected without a very confider-
able expence, and a certain fhare of rifle, which the
adventurer mud be fubjeel; to, before he can derive
any kind of benefit from his undertaking; but the
tythe owner, in this cafe, comes into his edate
without any of this charge or inconvenience. — It
is in this light, that tythes are grievous, and
want better regulation; and, therefore, if a gene-
ral cultivation lhould take place, of the commons
and wade lands, it is to be hoped the wifdom of
the legislature will be able to adopt fome regula-
tions, even with the concurrence of the clergy,
which may afford greater encouragement than is
now the cafe. The exemption of three years,
after wade land is firft broken up, is evidently
too fhort, and lhould, at lead, be extended to fe-
ven. As to the total extinction of tythes, though,
perhaps, it might, and, I dare fay, would be a great
comfort to the clergy, and of great fervice to reli-
gion, yet, I doubt, it would be extremely difficult
to fettle fuch a proper equivalent as ftiould keep
pace with the times. It could not be, I prefume,
done in any other way, than by referving a corn

U 2 rent

1^6 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

rent, or a certain fum of money, to fluctuate in
proportion to the general fcale of provifions.

Poor-rates, which no longer back than twenty-
years, were fo light, that a farmer, when he went
to take a farm, hardly thought it worth while
to enquire the amount of it ; but now it is become
the hi ft quettion he muft aflk.

The caufes of the aflonifhing increafe of thefe
rates, it is prefumed, will chiefly be found in the
rife of provifions, beyond the proportional rife in
the price of labour. There may be fome other
caufes, but this is the chief.

When this great alteration firft began to be felt,
the Houfes of Induftry, of which there are feveral
in this county, took their rife, and, for a time,
there was great expectation of advantage from
them, but I am informed, that fome of them, at
leaft, have been for fome time upon the decline,
and this laft year of fcarcity, they are minus in
their accounts, fo that, it is to be feared, they will
not anfwer the end that was expected from them.
The grievance, therefore, in and out of the houfes,
is become of a molt ferious nature; there are
few parifhes now, that pay leis than five or fix
fhiiiings in the pound, upon the rack-rents. In
the parifh of Hevingham, where I refide, they are
nine millings in the pound ; in the parifh of Bux-
ton

OF NORFOLK.

l57

ton, on one fide of me, they are ten j and in the
parifh of Marfham, on the other fide, they are fif-
teen; fo that, in the latter place, more is paid to
fupport the poor, than the landlords put in their
'pockets : for, after they have paid land-tax, and
kept their buildings in repair, they do not get
above fifteeen millings. The obvious confe-
quence of this is, that where an acre of land would
be worth twenty {hillings, if there were no poor
rates, it can only be worth ten fhillings fubject to
them.

There is one material reafon, however, to be
affigned why the poor rates are fo very high in
the parifh of Marfham, and many other panfhes,
not far diftant from Norwich. In the year 1712,
an a 61 of parliament paifed, for regulating the
workhoufes in that city, in which a£t, there is a
claufe which prevents any apprentice, taken from
any country village, from gaining any fettlement
in Norwich. — This was evidently done to encou-
rage the manufactory, when it was upon a pros-
perous and flourifhing footing — but it has had
a cruel effect upon the parifhes, which, origi-
nally, furnifhed the city with thefe apprentices ;
many of them married in Norwich aiui clle-
jvhere, and, upon the decline of the trade, the
city preferring its own poor, thefe R ranger , for
want of w ; ji k, were obliged to return 10 their ori-
ginal place of refidence, and many ()' them

brought

158 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

brought with them large families. This feems to
prove the neceffity and propriety of taxing trade,
when it is flourifhing, to provide a fund for its
poor, when it declines.

There is another obfervation which I have
made, which is, that the larger the common, the
greater number, and the more miferable are the
poor.

In the parifhes of Horsford, Hevingham, and
Marfham, which link into each other, from four
to nine miles from Norwich, there are not lefs
than 3000 acres of wafte land, and yet the
average of the rates are, at leaft, ten millings in
the pound. — This fhews the abfolute neceffity of
doing fomething with thefe lands, or thefe, uncul-
tivated, will utterly ruin the cultivated parts ; for
thefe miftaken people place a fallacious depen-
dence upon thefe precarious commons, and do not
truft to the returns of regular labour, which would
]be, by far, a better fupport to them.

OF NORFOLK. 159

lection xxv.

RURAL (ECONOMY.

JL fhall chiefly confine what I have to offer under
this head, to the price of agricultural labour.

Some little difference is found in different parts
of the county, but the following is the neareft
general average that can be offered :

geatlg 2£lagc0,

A head carter — nine to ten guineas.

An under carter, or lad — five to feven guineas.

A fhepherd — about ten pounds.

A yard man — about eight pounds.

A dairy or houfe maid — four guineas.

Of a labourer, till vviihin a few years, was i4d. in
fummer, and is. in winter, but they arc now in-
creased,

lCO AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

creafed, in molt parts of the county, to 1 8d. in
fummer, and i4d. in winter. — Carpenters, thatch—
ers, and bricklayers — 2od. a day.

^cetring;*

Dibblinc. — Wheat, 10s. and peafe, 8s. per
acre.

Settinc. — Beans, 4s. 6d. and potatoes, 8s.
per acre, including cutting of them.

Mowing. — One fhilling to is. 6d. per acre,
according to the crop.

Making hay by men, is. 6d. a day; women,
girls, and lads, 6d. and three pints of bee*.

Curmpsu

Hoeing. — Six millings, per acre, for hoeing
twice in a maflerly manner.

^attoeiling;.

Reaping and binding wheat, 5s. "to 7s. per
acre.

Mowing barley or oats, 2s. to 2s. 6d. per
acre.

Gathering

OF NORFOLK. l6l

Gathering in heaps, with {hack-forks, 6d. an
acre — -with hand-rakes, 8d.

D r a g-r aking. Two-pence an acre.

Stacking pease. — Four (hillings an acre.

Harvest wages. — For a man, the whole fea-
fbn, being well fed and allowed fix pints of beer a
day, 2I. 2S. to 2I. 10s.

<£&aff*cutting.

Three farthings the heaped bufhel.

CfjrcHnng*

Wheat. — Two (hillings a quarter (a)% and two
pints of beer per day.

Barley, oats, and buck. — One (hilling a
quarter, and the fame allowance of beer.

Pease. — Sixteen pence a quarter, and beer, as
before.

Clover seed. — Five (hillings a bufhel, and
beer, as before.

emanating;,

M.-.rl. — Digging rather uncertain, on account
of depth, but, in general, from 6d. to 2s. 6d. a
cart load, of fit heaps to a load.

Filling and (ptcading, 1 '1. lor the (11 11, and id.
for the lafij per load.

X Dung.

l62 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Dung. — Filling and fpreading, at the fame
prices as the marl — but here, 8 heaps go to the
load.

jFcnrng,

New bank and ditch. — One Shilling to is
6d. per rod, of feventy yards, according to the
foil. The ditch, four feet wide on top, and three
feet deep, properly Doped, with a bank feven feet
high, from the bottom of the ditch, including the
fetting of the quick-fets, and making a dwarf hedge
of thorns on top of the bank and backing up the
fame.

Old banks repaired. — Cutting off the
thorns, cleaning the ditch, and effectually repair-
ing the bank, the fame price as for the new work.

Lopping and faggoting. — Heading pollards,
and converting the wood into faggots and round
wood, 3s. for 120 faggots, and is. for a waggon
load of round wood.

Converting thorns into faggots, 3s. for 120,

Draining,

Making open drains, of two feet wide and two
feet deep, 3d. a rod, of feven yards.

Larger drains, ferving as fences, nine feet wide
and fix feet deep, 2s. 6d. a rod.

Hollow draining, 4d. a rod.

f3$attf»ng»

OF NORFOLK. 163

Cfmtcinng

With fea or marfh reed, all materials being found,
4s. id. a fquare.

Buildings with ftraw, all materials being found,
the fame as before.

Corn and hay flacks, at $d. a yard, in length,
taking in both fides.

Warned and clipped for i6d. per fcore.

Bcfides the above mentioned work, many extra
jobs are done by the great, which is always the
molt pleafant contract between mailer and man.

For the price of provifions, taken before the
late extraordinay rife, fee under the head of
Markets.

This fcale of wages, and price of labour, may
do for a man with only one or two children, but if
he has more, it is evidently not fufficient, accord-
ing to the prefent rate of provifions ; for in the
houfes of induflry, where every fpecies of cecono-
my is obferved, and where they have the advan-
tage of boarding a great number together, and
buying in their provifions at belt hand, the mere
X 2 eating

164

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

eating and drinking, alone, cofls i8d. per head,
which I have authority to ftate from ^ir Edmund
Bacon, who fhewed me the account of their expen-
diture, and whofe attention to thefe inflitutions,
is diftinguifhed by every fpecies of humanity and
benevolence that is in his power to bellow. There-
fore, as a cottager mull purchafe his comforts at a
great difcount, it is clear, that when his family
exceeds what I Hate, he muff have confidcrable
help, let him be ever fo induftrious. fcj3 See a,
word more upon this fubjtfl, under the head of Gene-
ral Obfervations.

NOTES,

OF NORFOLK. 165

J\r O T S S.

(a) Mr. Howlett remarks — <* Thus to fix the price of
" threfhing, appears extremely abfurcl ; a labourer in threfh-
c; ing wheat of the produce of 1793, could make better earn-
«' inffs at 2S. a quarter, than in threfhing that of 1792, at
" 2s. 6d. and of barley in 1793, at is. a quarter, than in 1792,
" at 1 ^d. or, perhaps, even i8d. — It would furely have been
" a moft ufeful information to have been told, what has been
" the incrcafe of the price of labour during the laft forty or
" fifty years, and what the advance in the price of neceffary
" provifions. This done, for every county, would be of the
•' higheft importance. This has been done for a confidera-
" ble part of Scotland, in Sir John Sinclair's Statifiical Ac-
" count, and it throws more light on the caufe of the incrcafe
f* of the Engliih poor rates, than any thing I have yet met
" with."

I apprehend, the general incrcafe of labour, within the
period Mr. Ilowlctt fpeaks of, does not excead 25 per cent. —
but that the average price of fuch provifions, as affeft the la-
bourer, have increased, at leaft, 60 per cent, but this is not all,
for the fources of the market, which ufed to feed him, are, in
a great mcafure, cut off, fince the fyftem of large farms has
been fo much encouraged : but it may not be improper to
look ftill a little farther back, in order more fully to fatisfy
ourfelves, that the wages of the labourer in agriculture, have
not kept pace with the increased price of provifions — on this
occalion, I beg leave to recommend Bifhop Fleetwood's
Chronicon Preciofum, tu Mr. Hewlett's pefufal,

®c3iott

i66

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xxvi.

FAIRS A, YD MARKETS,

JL HE feveral fairs are held at the following
places and times :

Acle, Midfummer-Day
Alburgh, June 21
Attleborough, Th. bef. Eaft.

Thurfday, bef. Whit. Sun.

and Auguft 15
Ayleftiam, March 23, laft

Tu'efday in Sept.— Oft. 6.
Baclon, ift Monday in Au-

guft, November 30
Banham, Jan. 22
Binham, July 25
Brifton, May 26
Broomhill, July 7
Burnham.Eaft.'Mon.&Aug.l
Caftleacre, April 18, July 25
Cawftdn, Feb 1, & latt Wed.

in April and Aug. Sheep Sh.
Cley, laft Fiiday in July
Coltifhall, Whit-Monday
Creffingham Magna, Aug. \z
Cromer, Whit-Monday
Dereham, Feb. 3, July 3, 4,

and Th. before Sept. 29
DiJs, November 8
."Downham, M.-iy 8, Nov. 13.
Elmham, April 5
St. Faith's, Oclober 17
Feltwell, November 20
Fincham, March 3
Foincet, Sept. it

Fculfttam,iftTuefdayinMay
Frettenham, iftMon.inApr.
Fring, May 10, November 30
Gaywocd, June 11, at Gay-
wood, anil Ocl. 17, kept at
Lvnr. Cuftom-houfe key
Gilling, July 25
Greilinghall, December 6
Harlefton, July 5, Sept. 9, &
Nov. 28, 1 month, for Scots
cattle
Harling Eaft, May 4, Sept. 16

(SbeepSkinu), Gel. 24
Harpley, July 24
Hempnall, Whit -Monday,

December 11
Hempton, Whit-Tuefday,

Nov. 22
Heacham, Auguft 3
Hirigham, March 7, Whit-
Tuefday, October 2
Hockham, Eufter Monday
Hockwold, July 25
Holt, April 25, November 25
Horning, Mon. after Aug. 2
Ingham, Mon. after Whit-
Monday
Kenninghall, July iS, Sept.
30 (Skcep Sbonv)

Kipton-afh,

OF NORFOLK.

IO7

Kipfon afh (Sheep Sko-zu)

Sept. +
Litcham, November 1
Lcddcn, Eaiter Monday and

Monday after Nov. 12
Ludham, Thurf. after Whitf.

week
Lynn, (Mart) Feb. 14, laits

8 days.— October 16
Lvng, November 21
Maflingham, Tuefday before

Eaiter, November 8
Mattifhall, Tuefday before

Holy Thurfday.
Methwold, April 25
New Buckenliam, bft Satur.

in May, & November 22
Northwallharn, Holy Thurf.
Northwold, Nov. 33
Norwich, Day bet". Good Fri.
Do. {Bijbop Bridge) Eaiter

Monday and Tuelday
Do. (Do.) Whit-M. & Tu.
Oxburgh, March 25

Pulhaih St. Mary, 3d Thurf.

in May
Reepham, June 29
Riuihain, May 17, October 13
Scole, Eaiter Tuelday
Scot tow, Ditto
Shouldham, Sept. 19, Oct. 10
Southrepps, July 25
S pro wfto n ( Magdu Ten ) , Aug . a
Stoke, December 6
Stowbridge, Sat. after Whit-
Sunday
Swaffham, May 12, July 2.1

November 3 (Sheep Sbo-ivs)
Tbatfordj May 14, Augult a,

September 25
Walfinghara, Whit Monday
Watton, July 10, October 10,

November lJ
Weafenham, Jan. 25
Worlted, May 12
Wymondham, Feb. 2, and

May 6, O. S.
Yarmouth, March 28 cc 29.

Many of thcfe are much upon the decline, but
fome of them rather incrcafing.

The greateft of thcfe, for cattle, are St. Faith's,
Harlefton, and Hempton Green ; to which are
brought a vail number of Scotch and Irifh cattle.

The greateft; for fheep, are Kipton-aih, Cawflon,
and Harlefton.

The Markets,

As far as relates to the pitching of corn, arc every

re dropt, and the whole trade is carried on

by fample, which is greatly agajnft the labourer,

11 tificer,

l68 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

artificer, and little tradefman, as it has a tendency
to throw the corn into the channels of monopoly,
and I do not think a better thing could be done
for the community, than that of giving all poffible
encouragement to public fairs and markets j for,
among other good effefts that might refult from
them, I am of opinion, it would tend more than
any thing, to check the increafe of large farms, as
I have before ventured to obferve.

As to the markets for other provifions, fuch as
poultry, butcher's meat, and vegetables, I do not
think any part of England can exceed that of
Norwich, nor are thofe of Lynn and Yarmouth
inferior, except as to fize — but of late, the prices
of all articles are very much increafed, even with-
out having any reference to the very late exorbi-
tant rife, but merely Mating the difference between
twenty years fmce and lafl year.

Butter was then jd. a pint, of 20 oz. — lafl year
it was is. — cheefe is increafed from 3d. per lb.
to 6d. — poultry and eggs in the lame proportion —
pork and butcher's meat from 3d. per lb. to 5d —
meal from is. to is. 6d. per ftone, of 14 lb. — malt
from il. 12s. to * 2I. 8s. per quarter — vegetables
very reafonable, and in much greater abundance
than formerly — milk at 6d. a gallon, but very little
to be had — wild fowl plenty and reafonable, in hard
feafons.

Fife,

OF NORFOLK.

169

Fifh, confidermg it as a maritime county, nei-
ther regularly iupplied or cheap. In the rivers
there is good pike and tench. From the Tea, the
bid filri are lobfters and ioles, and lometimes the
cod is pretty good ; herrings very good ; whitings
rather fmall ; oyfters very large, but not good in
proportion ; herrings right good and cheap, and,
it is preiumed, the valuable trade they afford
might be greatly improved and extended, by check-
ing the encroachment of the Dutch upon the coall,
who have for a ieries of years run away with the
advantages which oucjht to have attached to our
own caflern fea-ports, particularly to Yarmouth.

i'diioii

J7© AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xxvn.

STATE OF THE POOR.

A HE poor-rates have increafed in this county
in a full proportion to others, and with a view of
flopping this increafe, feveral houfes of induftry
(a) have been eftablifhed ; but they are grievous
things in the eyes of the poor, and I am afraid,
are not found to anfwer the end that was expected
from them. I know of no law that can enforce
induftry ; it may be encouraged, and great good
will refult from it; but it never can be effected by
compulfion (b).

There are two principles which mould be kept
alive, as much as poffible, in the minds of the
poor — pride and fhame : the former will lead them
to the attainment of comfort by honed means ; and
the latter will keep them from becoming burthen-
fome to their neighbours. But many of the mo-
dern plans, for making provifions for them, have
tended to deftroy thefe principles (c).

A man

OF NORFOLK. I7I

A man born to no inheritance, who afliduoufly
devotes his whole life to labour, when nature de-
clines, has as great a claim upon the neighbour-
hood, where the labour of his youth has been de-
voted, as the worn out foldier or failor has to
Chelfea or Greenwich ; and this reward ought to
be as honourable, as it is comfortable, and not to
be adminiftered in a way that is repugnant to
that natural love of rational freedom which every
human mind fympathizes in the enjoyment of.—
Such a man, as 1 have here characterized, ought
to be diuinguifhed from the lazy and profligate
wretch, who has feldom worked but by force. The
one ought not to be crowded into the fame habita-
tion with the other ; but in houfes of induftry there
can be no diftinction (d).

The focial clubs for mutual relief, which are
prevalent in many parts of the weft of England,
are highly commendable ; and, perhaps, as well
worth the attention of the Board of Agriculture,
as any objeft they can take up. If a little encou-
ragement could be given to thefe laudable focie-
ties, which are now fan&ioned by law, and proper
places of fecurity could be eftablifhed for their lit-
tle funds, it would tend very much to encourage
the poor to ftruggle with their difficulties ; and it
would be confident with found policy, as well as
humanity, in the rich and opulent, to add little
donations to the poor man's neft egg, on thefe oc-

Y 2 canons.

172 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

cafions. Earl Harcourt's example, at Nuncham,
in Oxfordshire, is well deferving imitation; if a
poor man puts a penny into the facial box, he
puts in another; if a farmer or tradefman contri-
butes a (hilling-, he adds another ; and by this
means his lordfhip's eRate js kept in high credit,
the poor-rates arc low, and the fpirit of the pea-
fanny unbroken ; which is the great thing that
ought to be aimed at, and unlr.fs fome encourage-
ment of this fort be given, it is impoflible that the
labourer in husbandry can, when he has a family,
procure his daily bread, with his prefent daily
wages.

There is one thing which is incumbent on all
great farmers to do, and that is, to provide com-
fortable cottages for two or three of their moft in-
dufcrious labourers, and to lay two or three acres
of grafs land to each, to enable fuch labourer to
keep a cow [c) and a pig — fuch a man is always a
faithful fervant to the farmer who employs him : he
has a flake in the common intcrefb of the country,
and is never prompt to riot, in times of feditioti,
like the man who has nothing to lofe ; on the con-
trary, he is a ftrong link in the chain of national
fecurity.

There are but few great farmers, however, in-
clined to accommodate cottagers with thefe little
portions of land, and when they do let them any,

it

OF NORFOLK. I73

i.t is Generally at double the rent they give for it.
But I am perfuaded, that if there were a certain
number of cottages, of this description, in propor-
tion to the fize of the eftates, and they were accom^
modated in this manner, and thofe plnces were
bellowed as a reward to labourers of particular
crood conduct, it would do wonders towards the
reduction of the rates, and the preservation of or-
der; for I have been witnefs to feveral finking
proofs of this, in two or three labourers, who have
been thus favoured, whofe attachment to their
mailers was exemplary, as they were not only
(heady in themfelves, but by their example kept
others from running into lxcqU. There cannot
well be too many of thefe places attached to lar^e
farms ; they would be the mod prolific cradles of
the bell fort of population.

There is another thing which it is incumbent on.
all occupiers of land to do, which is, to fupply
their own labourers with wheat at a moderate
p,jrc — when the price in the market is high and
opprcflive to them (f). It is but reasonable, that
the human fervant lliould fare as well as the ani-
fervant : a farmer does not give his horfe a lefs
quantity of oats, becaule they are dear, nor is it
reafonable that the plough-man, or threfher in his
barn, (hould have lefs for his penny, becaule the
matter gets a great price; but I do not mean to
fay this Ihould be extended to manufacturers, be-
caule

174 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

caufe they are in general better paid than labour-
ers in agriculture, and have not fo immediate a
claim upon the land, as the workmen in the vine-
yard.

If one thing, in aid of what I have taken the
liberty to fuggeft, could be eftabliftied, it would,
perhaps, go near to remedy all grievances ; and, in
a great meafure, fet afide the neceffity of the poor
laws, and this would be the adoption of fomething
like Mr. Ackland's fcheme (g) of taxing labour
for its own fupport, by levying from the young
and lufty, a penny to be put out upon accumu-
lated intereft, for the advantage of the old and de-
crepid. Age and infirmity would then dip its
hand into the purfe it had helped to fill ; honed
pride would be preferved, induftry encouraged,
and the latter part of a poor man's life would ter-
minate in comfort (A).

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 175

NO T E S.

(c) From Sir Thomas Beevor : — " Thefe eflablifhments,
**• militating with every principle of humanity and political
" interefl, and not unfrequently with thofe of morality, can-
" not be too often, or too much reprobated, and though this
" may not feem the proper place to enter into any detail of
•' the fubjett, yet, perhaps, it may not be quite foreign to the
" purpofe of this view, (omitting the article of inhumanity,
11 which muft arreft the obfervation of every one who knows
" the powers and management of them) to point out the in-
jury the public fuftains, from thefe inftitutions, in the lofs
** of labour and corruption of manners. — With refpeft to the
■• firft, it appears, that in the year, from 1783 to 178.J, the
«* number of paupers in the workhoufes at Norwich was
" 1301, the earnings of whom, in the year, were only 1029I.
•• 10s. 8d. and in that from 1785 to 1786 the number of
" paupers was 1600, the earnings 1425I. 12s. or 17s. 8d. per
" head, per ann. not quite Ad. per diem — and in the houfe
" of induftry at Wicklewood, the earnings, of the paupers are
'« ufually about 15s. per bead, per ann. little more than |d. per
" head, per diem — and if it be allowed, that one-half (which
" is more than the due proportion) be incapable of work,
" the refult will be only double the above pitiful fums : the
•' reafon of thofe accounts being taken from the fpeciiied
" years, is folely becaufe at that time it was made the fubjeft
*' of enquiry by the writer of thefe remarks. As nothing
" ftimuldtcs to induflry fo much as intcrcil, and the man who
" works for another, will ever contrive to do as little as poi-
" hblc, there arc but few hopes of amendment in this point-
to

1^6 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

" to what a fet of ufelefs beings are fuch numbers thus re-
" duced. In the article of morality, it is to be wifhed, that
*« the truth of the following faft would be doubted, but the
" account has been publifhed and never contradi&ed : that,
" upon an enquiry made into the Mate of the workhoufes at
•* Norwich, a few years ago, there were found three or four
" perfons, of different fexes, lodged under the fame blanket,
" men, women, and children, promifcuoufly affociating to-
** gether. Many other fimilar infhances can be produced,
" but thefe, and the other evils attendant on thefe cftablifh-
" ments, will probably be thefubje£l of a future publication."

(b) From Mr, James : — " If poor houfes are grievous things
*' in the eyes of the poor, I am apprehenfive, it proceeds only
*c from their mifmanagement. Extreme poor, fuch as entitles
*' a man to afiiftance, proceeds from feveral caufes, from in-
*« ability for labour, through ficknefs or age, unwillingnefs,
*' through an idle profligate difpofition, and, fometimes, from
*' the want of opportunity : it never was intended that thefe
«« three claffes fhould be blended together ; if I am not mif-
*' taken, poor houfes were inftituted with a view to be an afy-
*■ lum for helplefs infancy and age, to furnifh means of reco-
■« very to the fick, and employment to thpfe who are willing to
*« work, but, from want of opportunity, are unable to fup-
■• port themfelves — but for what reafon fhould the profligate
«« and indolent be introduced, furely they are not fit inhabi-
«' tants for an houfe of induftry, the houfe of correftion
•' would, I conceive, be, by far, a more proper place ; at
«' any rate, they fliould be kept apart, for as a general infec-
■* tion is ever occafioned by a particular one, fo one licen-
*c tious character is often the means of fubftituting diforder
■« and confufion, in the room of order and regularity. Com-
" pulfion is not congenial to the mind of man ; encourage-
*' ment ought ever to be preferred to force ; this I advance
'** as a general rule, but, like every other, it is not without its
"exception, for I mull confefs there are fome which are

never

OF NORFOLK. 177

tc never to be overcome, but by the latter. As to the poor
*« difliking them, if our author does not mean the aged and the
" difablcd, is rather an argument in their favour, than other-
" wife, for if their fituations were rendered too comfortable,
" their effect might operate very differently to what was in-
" tended, by encouraging that very lazinefs which the infti-
" tutors were in hopes of deftroying: as it is, their diflike
" may produce, firft, a defire of providing for themfelves,
" and a difpofition to embrace the firft opportunity, which,
" by chance or enquiry they may happen to meet with. If
" the aged and infirm are diffatisficd, humanity dictates to us
" to lofe no time in enquiring into the caufes of their dinike}
" and, if properly founded, to relieve and redrefs them."

[c) From Mr. Howlett : — " The remark in this palTage is
" indubitably juft, and deferves the moft attentive confidera-
" tien."

[d) From Mr. Howlett likewife ; — " This is a moft power-
" ful obje&ion to houfes of induftry, and there are many
** more of equal force, and one cannot but be aftonifhed at
<c the daily increafc of their number."

[e) From Mr. Dann : — " Certainly it is highly laudable and
" politic for farmers to encourage and reward labourers of
*' good conduft, but, in preference to furnifhing them with
11 means of keeping a cow or pigs, I would recommend giving
" them fkimmed milk, and letting them have a proportion of
*« pork and wheat, according to the number of their family,
" below the market price, and, indeed, inch is my praftice.
" When they have a cow or pigs, it is too often feen, that it
" leads them to difhoncft means, to fupport them ; fuch, how-
** ever, has very often been the cafe in my neighbourhood;
•' but comfortable cottages, with proper gardens, I always
<f wifJ I 1 have."

From

1^8 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

From Mr. Boys :— " If farmers, in genera!, were to ao
" commodate their labourers with two acres of land, a cow,
" and two or three pigs, they would probably have more dif-
" ficulty in getting their hard work done — as the cow, land,
" &c. would enable them to live with lefs earnings.

(/) From Mr. Howlett :— " This indulgence to the labour-
" er is, undoubtedly, a matter of kindnefs and humanity in
" the mafter, but it feems by no means incumbent upon him,
•' or if it be, it is equally fo upon the employers of manufac-
M turers; and if this abatement of price be requisite in one
f1 article, upon fimilar occafions, it muft be equally neceffary
" in all, and this would, in the end, be the fame as an ad-
" vance of wages, which furely ought not to depend on the
" choice or caprice of individuals, but be under the infpection
*' and regulation of the public, as expediency might require."

(g) From Mr. Howlett likewife : — " Mr. Ackland's plan,
" in my apprehenfion, is, by much, the beft that has yet been
" propofed to the legiflature. If put in execution, it would
** probably be attended with fome beneficial confequences,
" though certainly neither to the degree nor the extent here
" intimated. It makes no provifion for natural weaknefs
" and debility of conflitution, for occasional deficiency or
«♦ fcarcity of employment, for feverity of feafons, and varia-
" tion in the price of provifions; befides that, the whole goes
•'upon the fundamental error, that the podible earnings of
" the poor are univerfaliy adequate to their neceffities."

From Mr. Fox : — " It gives me much pleafure to per-
". ceive the ideas I have given on this fubje£t, (in my Note II.
M on my fecond perufal of the Report for Gloucefterfhire)
K fo appofitely fupported by the author."

[h) From Mr. James: — " Some fuch plan would, no doubt7
« be very beneficial, but the prefent price of labour will by

OF NORFOLK. 1 79

11 no means admit of this trifling dedu&ion, therefore an alte-
" ration mull take place previous to its adoption ; in the inte-
" rim, I would recommend a fund to be eftablifhed, by means
M of the rich, for this purpofe. The inequality of the poor-
" rates has long been a fubjeft of complaint— fuppofe all the
*« poor were to be confolidated, and every parifh, by means
" of ovcrfcers, chofen annually from among them, but fub-
"je&to the controul of fome fuperior board, was to take
«' into its care their own refpettively — the means of their
M maintenance to be furnifhed by Government, who, in or-
M der to be enabled, might impofe a fmall addition to the
*; land-tax, or a per centage upon the afleffed taxes."

Upon thefe different remarks I have but little to fay ; Sir
Thomas's firft obfervation appears to me manly and juft, but
I could have wifhed, that in his fecond remark, he had not
been of the fame opinion with Mr. Dann. It feems to me a
bad argument, that a man is to have a comfort with-held from
him, left it fhould have a tendency to make him difhoneft. —
We may as well fay, that they ought not to have a chimney
in their cottage, left it fhould be an inducemeut to them to
fteal wood to burn in it,

Mr. Boys's remark is of the fame caft : he is not willing to
allow a poor man the greatcft blcffing that can be given him,
left the farmer fhould be liable to fuftain fome little inconve-
nience by it.

Mr. Hewlett is for confidcring this as an indulgence to the
labourer, if it be granted, and by no means incumbent on the
great farmer : but in this I muft totally difagree with him, for
1 think it is a pofitive duty, which the law of humanity and
the duty of a chriftian ftrongly prompt him to comply with."

Z 2

l8o AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

Section xxviii.

REPREHENSIBLE PRACTICES.

— =>©>«= —

JL HOUGH I have, in this Report, given great
commendation to many practices of huibandry,
which I think deferve imitation, it is incumbent
on me, for the fake of juflice, to take notice of a
few things, which, in my opinion, are rep re he n-
fible. The harveft, a very important branch of
huibandry, is gathered in a very flovenly manner:
women and boys are feldom employed in any part
of it. A certain number of. men are provided ac-
cording to the number of acres of corn ; in the
bed parts of the county, ten or twelve acres is the
allowance to a man ; in the light parts, fifteen or
fixteen acres. The man is boarded extremely
well, and his allowance in money is from two gui-
neas to fifty (hillings, whether the harveft be long
or fhort. The firfl thing the farmer aims at, is to
time the beginning of his harveft, fo that his corn
may follow in fucceftion, that no interval or paule
may take place; as the boarding of his men is at-
tended

OF NORFOLK, i8l

tended with great expence, and, therefore, the
fooner he can get the work through, the lefs it
will cofl him in provifions. This narrow idea
often colts him nearly a tenth part of the value of
his crop, for he feldom begins reaping his wheat
fo foon, by ten days or a fortnight, as he ought,
though wheat is always the better for being cut
rather early. It often (lands till the ears turn
down in an inverted ftate, and till it is fo ripe and
brittle, that when there happens to beabriflc wind,
it is no uncommon thing to fee four or five bufiiels
of wheat whipt out and loft, and fometimes a quar-
ter of oats [a).

The barley is always carried from the fwarth, fo
that they never begin to carry till late in the day;
and no part of the ground is raked till afterwards ;
fo that a vafl deal of corn is trodden out. After
the bulk of it is carried, the piece is drag-raked, hy-
men, with iron teeth drags; or by a drag fattened
to a pair of wheels, and drawn by a horfe. The
latter is the belt practice of the two, though they
are both bad ; for the rakings are fo mixt with
grit and duff, that the corn is of an inferior quali-
ty to the other. It cannot be doubted but the
Lice of moil other countries is to be preferred
to what is obferved here.

In the firfl place, the hufband is feeding with
unufual luxury, while the wife and children are

11. u\ i:ig.

382 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

fiarving. It would certainly be more comfortable
if they undertook the reaping and mowing of a
certain number of acres, in which cafe, the man
might work with his family, and his wife and chil-
dren would earn fomething confiderable, not only
in the reaping part, but in the cocking and raking
the lent grain, which would enable them to eat a
corrifortable morfel together. There would not, if
this were the cafe, be half fo much corn {helled
and loft j and the barley, in a wet feafon, would
be better preferved, and admit of being carried
much earlier in the morning from the cock, than

O f

}t can from the fwarth (b).

Stacking is another thing which is very ill done
here, particularly wheat (lacks, though they are
lornewhat improved too in making them, of late
years; but they run them up in along rickety
form, without fymmetry, and feldom fet them up-
on i\ addles, to preferve the corn from vermin.
Another very bad practice relates to their fences,
No farmers raife a white-thorn hedge fooner, or
dellroy it fo foon ; every other time of cutting
hedges of this fort, thev are buck-flailed, as it is
ca'Ied, which is cutting the whole hedge off at
about three feet from the ground, which is an irre-
parable injury to it, by checking the growth, and
making it hollow at the bottom. And as to other
thorns and ftubb-wood, they are apt to cut them
as their immediate wants require, at all feafons of

the

OF NORFOLK. 183

the year, and to leave the ftool in a jagged fiate, fo
as to admit the wet into it, which caufes it to dccav.
On the contrary, wood fhould never be cut bat in
the winter feafon, and fhould be cut upwards to
a fmooth point, and as clofe to the (tools as poffi-
ble, and then it will fhoot agrain with more vigour.

I have taken the liberty to point out thefe prac-
tices, as discreditable to this county, but I do not
know of any other which are very reprehenfibie,
but there is one, which is prevalent in fome other
counties, which has a very hurtful tendency, I
mean that of burn-baking, upon which, I trnft, I
mall not be confidered as going much out of my
way, if I exprefs my fentiments upon it with free-
dom, in this place; I will frankly avow I doit
with the double view of preventing its introduction
here, and checking its progrefs elfewhere ; for
though the crops obtained from it, are fuch as to
produce a temporary advantage to the occupier,
it is a mortgage without redemption upon the
fee-fimple of the land, by reducing the flank*,
and depriving the foil of it natural grades. The
better way is to fcalc-plough the furface, and af-
terwards bury the roots and give them time to rot,
and land, thus ufud, is generally very fertile and
kind. Bum-baking is, in my opinion, a very per-
nicious practice, and 1 trull will foon be explod-
ed. If it is any where to be allowed, it is upon
the coarfe fenny parts of Lincolnfhire — upon a

mallow

184 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

{hallow foil it is infufferable, becaufe it tends to
lelfen the depth of the, foil ; for though the advo-
cates for it will fay, that earth cannot be reduced,'
yet when we conhder that the furface or rind of
land, (which by this practice is pared off about two
inches in thicknefs) is nothing but the relicks of
putrified plants, which afford the bell aliment to
renewed vegetation, it certainly does, in this fenfe,
admit of dimunition, and befides weakening the
foil, it unqueitionably deftroys all feeds of the
beft graffes which nature has depofited in the fur-
face of the earth, which is very obvious from this
land being; lefs favourable to grafs, for a feries of
years, after it is burnt than before. This perni-
cious practice mud have had its rife from lazinefs,
being an eafier way to get rid of a coarfe rough
fwarth, by this means, than by fuch modes of cul-
ture, as would have for their objeft, the reducing
it to a rotten (late ; it mull therefore be expe&ed,
that all temporary occupiers will continue advo-
cates for it, but it is prefumed, that all owners
of eflates, looking forward to a more permanent
interefl, will do all in their power to difcou-
rage it.

Upon a perufal of the Agricultural Reports,
lately publifhed, I was much pleafed to find thic
practice condemned by a very confiderable majo-
rity of the reporters. Mr. Davis obferves, " that
" it is a maxim often quoted in Wilts, that how-

*< ever

OF NORFOLK. 1 85

" ever good the husbandry may be for fathers, it
** is ruin to fons."

Mr. Fox, for Monmouthfliire, fays, "that where
" the foil is thin, it is injurious — that it may give
,c a crop for a year or two, but after, will give
" very little produce but that of hungry weeds."

Mr. Stone, for Lincolnfhire, confirms the obfer-
vations of the latter, by remarking, that where the
practice has prevailed, u evident marks remain of
" the injury the land has fuftained by it."

Mr. Lowe, for Nottinghamfhire, obferves, that
" lands, in Noi wall lordfhip, have been entirely
" fpoiled by it." Mr. Calvert, in the Appendix
to the fame county, obferves, " that in many in*.
** dances he has known a barrennefs enfue, which
" a long feries of years has not been fufficient to
" remedy."

Mr. Holt, for Lancafhire, fays, that "it has
" been too much praclifed, and its deftruclave
<( effects are but too apparent upon many farms,
M where it has been frequently repeated."

Mr. Tuke, for the North Riding of Yorkfhire,
dates an experiment made between one part of
j field of old grafs-land broke up, in a proper
manner, with the plough, and another part burn-

A a baked,

l86 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

baked, the refult of which was, " that the crops
" upon the pared and burnt land, after the firft
" two or three years, kept gradually growing worfe,
" and upon the ploughed part, the crops, for fome
" years, grew better, and afterwards were viubly
" fuoerior to the pared and burnt land.*'

Mr. Vancouver, for Cambridgefhire, obferves,
that "in the King'*, the Queen's, and other couii-
" ties in Ireland, where paring and burning the
" thin high lands have been unfortunately prac-
" tifed, extenfive and naturally fruitful tracls have
" been reduced to the lowelt and mod exhaufted
" flate of barrennefs and poverty, and as the like
" effeels muit on a certainty, under limilar circum-
" fiances, follow the fame practice in this kingdom,
«i is it not eafy to comprehend the reaioning of
" thole perfons, whole judgment leads to the gene-
" ral recommendation of fo pernicious a fyltem."

After fuch a chain of reprehenfion, from fo
many refpe£f.able found agrtCulturifts, I was not a
little lurprized at Mr! Arthur Young's coming for-
ward, in the Hampshire Appendix, not only with a
ianguine recommendation of this reprobated fyf-
tem, but with a fort of cenfure upon fuch of the
reporters as are of a different opinion. In an-
other place too he has expreffed himfelf with
great confidence upon this fubjecl, but whether
to his credit or diicredit, I will not take upon me

fo

OF NORFOLK. 187

to determine, but as Mr. Young's reafoning may-
have a tendency to increafe what I conceive to be
a real evil, I mean the breaking up of the maiden
downs, which are the glory of the weftern coun-
ties, and one of the greatefl fupports of the wool-
len manufactory, I hope I mall not be confidered
as going out of my way, in making a fhort remark
upon it.

The increafe of rent, upon land thus broken up
and pahed through this ordeal trial, is no decifive
proof, that the practice is advantageous, even in
that point of view, for it is evident that reducing
the quantity of down mud reduce the number of
fheep, and confequently leflen the value of the
old tillage, by robbing it of the fold, which is its
bed fupport ; lb that two certain advantages are
facrificed for one, and that, perhaps, not perma-
nent. In fhort, without a due proportion of old
fward, a flock cannot, all the year, be kept in
health ; artificial grafRs, though good in their
kinds, will not alone anfwer the purpofe required ;
this every farmer of experience knows, and it is
not in H amp (hi re alone where the lot's of this old
turf has been giievoufly felt, but in many parts of
this county, particularly in the neighbourhood of
Thetford, where the breaking up of fo much of the
heath land, has fo far contracted the fheep- walks,
that the flocks fuftain an irreparable injury from it.
So far thefe practices attach to farmers; but there is

A a 2 one

l88 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

one more, which I cannot pafs over without no-
tice, which applies to the poor, I mean that fcan-
dalous cuftom of cutting up the commons for fuel,
without any diftinclion of foil : if they were to
confine it merely to boggy or rough coarfe
parts, it would be lefs reprehenfible, for I will al-
low the argument of neceflity to be very flrong ;
but to cut them up, as they now do, indifcrimi-
nately, frequently paring off green fward, the
herbage of which is worth twenty (hillings an
acre, is unpardonable ; for independent of their not
having a fhadow of right to break up the foil, they,
in fad, deftioy their own intereft in the mouthage,
in which, perhaps, their right cannot be difputed,
I hope, therefore, that this caution may have fome
good effect in recommending it to the poor, to be
more modeft in this practice in future, and not to
do it without leave firft obtained from the lord of
the manor, and, at the fame time, be a hint to the
latter to look into this abufe, and endeavour to
flop it in time.

NOTES.

OF NORFOLK. 3189

JV O T E S,

(a) From Mr. Wagftaff : — " The remark on the late begin*
" ning of harveft, and the confequent lofs from delay, moffc
" literally did apply fome twenty or fifteen years back, and
" may flill apply to many individuals now ; but a requifite
" reformation has already taken place with the generality of
" the farmers, particularly in the vicinity of Norwich."

(b) " It may be recollected, that while the men arc thus
" profitably employed to earn a fum generally adequate to
" their annual rent, the wives and children are gleaning the
" fields, by which a provifion is made of bread for the whole
*' family during winter months ; and a little providence before
f* harveft, or a fmall dip of credit on the wages to be received
" by the hufband, is an effectual bar againft ftarving — while
" their focial meetings are a triumph of emulation, and would
f not be exchanged by them for any other fpecies of labour,
" as, indeed, it is generally more and longer beneficial.
f While cocking, or gathering the fwarth, is of problematical
" preference, it is certain that the Norfolk farmer prefers
«• his own mode, as raking by fome of his men, he believes
f* is mofl to li is profit,"

I am much indebted to this gentleman for a great many fen-
fiblc and humane obfervations upon different parts of my
Report, which, in my opinion, do him great credit ; but,
in the prefent inftance, 1 doubt he h.is fuffered himfi If to bo
biafed by a Little provincial prejudice. — I ha'
to the womerjs' gleaning, provided tl.cv reap firft; whi

>'

igO AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

the cafe in other counties. There is not gleaning enough for
all the women and children, the latter would be alone fuffU
cient — but this might be regulated without any prejudice to
the women, who were more profitably employed, provided
there was a proper difpofition in the country to that effeft.

As to the focial meetings, I fhould think better of them, if
the wife and children participated in them ; but, as this now
{lands, we meet with nothing but drunken men. filling the
public houfes for fome days after the harveft is ended.

Rcfpefting the barley, if Norfolk men fhould ftill objett to
its being cocked, I would advife them to gather it, at leaft,
with rakes inftead of fhack-forks, for the latter often leaves
two bufhels per acre upon the ground, and the difference in
the expence is only 2d. per acre.

~-- • ^ Hi

OF NORFOLK. I9I

Section xxix.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

JIN this Report, it has been my aim to give a
faithful account of the Norfolk hufbandry, and
fuch other cufloms as are neceffafily connected
with it, without extenuation or exaggeration ; and
the intelligent farmer, in other parts, will be under
no difficulty in determining which parts to adopt,
and which to reject.

In «"he perufal of a treatife of this kind, it is in-
cumbcnt on the reader to lay afidc all prejudice,
and Puffer his mind to be open to conviction —
othenvife, I (hall have written, and he will read, in
vain. I mould not have thought it neceffary to
introduce this caution, if it were not almoft gene-
rally allowed, that hufbandmen are more obfli-
nately attached to old practices, let them be ever
lo bad, than any other defcription of men, and are
confequehtly averfe to the introduction of any
thin^ new. let it come ever fo well recommended ;

at

192

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

at the fame time, it is highly proper to be careful
againfl adopting the vifionary recommendations of
modern theories, who, upon hypothefes of their
own, hold up wild fyftems of delufion, which are
apt to miflead the credulous and do great injury.

True judgment feems to lie in fele£ting fuch
objects for imitation, as are either the refult of
well attefled experiments, or that come from fuch
refpectable authority as cannot be doubted.

In the profperity of agriculture, there are three
perfons who have a natural tye upon each other :
the gentleman of landed interelt — the farmer —
and the labourer. Their degrees of interefl are
different, but their connection muft be perma-
nent, as they cannot fubfifl without the aid of
each other; Protection is due from the firfl —
humanity from the fecond — and obedience from
the third. Sound policy dictates a due obfer-
vance of this mutual obligation, and the prefer-
vation of a proportionate and jufl fcale in refpecl
to every thing which mutually affects the par-
ties : a departure from this, will, in the firft
inftance, prove very detrimental to one of them,
and cannot ultimately be of any advantage to the
others.

Admitting this, as every impartial man muft,
and comparing the advanced price of provifions,

with

OF NORFOLK.

3 93

with the prefent rate of wages, and the price of la-
bour, the caufe of the increafe upon the poor-rates
mult be obvious. I would, therefore, advife eve-
ry gentleman in the commiffion of the peace, care-
fully to perufe a book I have before recommended
in this work, namely, Fleetwood's Chronicon Pre-
ciofuviy which will fhew him the proportions which
were obferved at that time, and like wife to advert*
to two particular acts of parliament, framed by the
wifdom of our anceftors, viz, the 5th of Elizabeth,
chapter iv, and the 1 ft of James, chapter vi ; where
fufficient power is given to regulate this important
bufinefs.

Every farmer I would advife, to confider the
labourer not as an incumbrance upon him, but as
elTentially neceilary to carry on his bufinefs, with-
out whom he could not live or fupport his own fa-
mily ; but the prefent weak policy has arifen from
a mifconccption of the utility and real importance
of the labourer to fociety. No farmer will flight
his horfe, or give him the lefs hay or corn for its
being dear, if he did, he would expect the animal
to decline in condition. — Why then fliould the
human fervant be lefs attended to? He is, un-
doubtedly, the fir ft finew that puts the labour of
the (aim in motion, and without which it cannot
be carried on: if, therefore, his full earnings will
not keep him, it is a duty incumbent on his
xnafter, to let him have a luiliciency o( corn, for
his own family, at the fame rate or price by which

B b ho

194

AGRICULTURAL SURVEY

he is paid for his labour, and not to fuffer the
fpirit of a poor man, of this description, to be
broken.

The force of this argument is grounded in my
heart, and I hope it will ftrike thofe with convic-
tion, who have power, in their different ftations,
to adminifter the comfort I recommend — and that
no difpafhonate perfon will blame me, for thus
(landing forth-^-the Heady friend of the helplefs.

195

APPENDIX,

On the CULTURE of POTATOES.

Letter from Sir MORDAUNT MARTIN, Bart, to
Sir JOHN SINCLAIR, Bart, dated Burn-ham, 7th
March, 1795,

I

SIR,

N confcquence of the circular {{ Hints refpetting the
Culture of Potatoes," I take the liberty of addrefling you, in
favour of a fort I do not find named in that paper — I mean
the Kentifh feedling. I was originally obliged to Sir Thomas
Bcevor for my Mock; they have never yet exhibited any
curl, and, I think, I may fafely affert, that they have every
feafon produced double the quantity of the Champion. I do
not prefer them as dainties for the table, but, perhaps, their
infipidity and perfect white mealinefs render them the rnoft
defirable of any for the purpofe of making bread. If they
have not already been tried, and difapproved by the Board
I fhould be proud of the honour of fending a few, by way of
fpecimen, wherever you may favour me with pcrmiflion to
direft them.

My flock is not many bufhcls, having only prcfervrd thfl
fort with a view of (applying th< iring cottagers for

their gardens. I feci jio linall fatisfa&ion in having I 1

fomc

I96 APPENDIX.

fome pains to introduce, by example, the field culture of po-
tatoes, in hopes, that what the poor might confume, would
be no more miffed than the turnips, which, I believe, few
farmers grudge them ; but I fear there are many formidable
objections, beiides the infurmountable one of the fhallow fta-
ple of our dry foil.

One excellent farmer, who is a man of a very liberal mind,
(Mr. Overman, of Burnham Deepdale,) acknowledges, that
on his firft trial, he had more wheat per acre, where his po-
tatoes grew, than on the reft of the field : but the impoffibility
of getting a large fpace of ground cleared in time to fow
wheat, on account of the gleaning, determined him not to
repeat his experiment.

The wire-worms feem to be an increafing evil in our crops
which follow grafs, efpecially faint-foin, and I have, in two
instances, found potatoes increafe them to a great degree.

Another objection with me is, that when I fed my cows with
potatoes, they were all fo tender footed, as to be hardly able
to walk from the yard to an adjoining clofe in which I threw
rhem : this I attributed to their treading in the dung formed
by the potatoes, as they foon recovered when they ceafed to
eat them.

I fincerely hope the laudable endeavours of the Board of
Agriculture, may prevent the apprehended want of bread
corn, by promoting the growth of early potatoes; but I have
been informed, that in Pruflia, the ufe of potatoes is prohi-
bited till a fixed time in the autumn, as it is found that the
earlier ufe of them occafions the bloody-flux — the difference
of climate may poflibly render this precaution unneceiTary
here, but you will, I hope, attribute my mentioning it to its
true motive — a defire of preventing or finding a remedy for
any inconvenience which may attend an objeft fo apparently
deniable, as the general culture of potatoes.

I am, &c.

APPENDIX. 197

Upon Improving the Breed of Cattle.

Letter from Mr. OVERMAN, to Sir JOHN SIN-
CLAIR, Bart, dated Burnuam Deepdalb, 15th Aug.

SIR,

JLAvS the purfuit of agriculture is the path of life allotted to
my (hare, I cannot be inattentive to any undertaking which
may ferve to forward lo great a national object, more efpecial-
ly, when I fee the inveftigation of it committed to gentlemen
equally known for their exteniive knowledge, and the bene*
volence of their intentions — the moft beneficial cpnfcquences
muft of courfe follow.

I beg to affure the Board of Agriculture, that I by no
means want inclination to contribute any information, in my
power, toward forwarding the great work they are engaged
in ; but I much fear, at the fame time that the partiality of
fome unknown friend has over-rated both my abilities and
my experience in hufbandry ; the latter of which has been
exercifed only upon a very narrow fcale, and, were it other-
wife, the attention neceffary to the conducting my own buli-
ncls, does fo far engrofs my time, as to allow very little avo*
cation from my main purfuit.

I am of opinion, notwithstanding the many modern im-
provements which we boa ft of, that hufbandry, in general,
is frill in its infancy, and that the know ledge of cattle is
more fo.

The county of Norfolk produces abundant pro.!"-, that
booes ind offal are the produce of a large pprl

hc;buge of this county.

1^8 ATPENDIX.

Much praife is due to the endeavours of Thomas William
Coke, Efq. M. P. to introduce an improved breed, both of
fh^ep and neat cattle ; but we do not fee that his example has
been followed, as yet, in the degree which it certainly claims.
Innovations, of any kind, are, to men of uninformed minds,
reconciled with difficulty, and to wear out rooted prejudices,
requires great length of time.

As I learn, from the beft information, that the inveftiga-
tion of the flats of hufbandry, in this county, is committed
to the care of that very able and experienced agriculturift,
Nathaniel Kent, Efq. I am perfuaded, that the public expec-
tation will be fully anfwered by the report of that gentleman,
but Ihould it prove, in the event, that any local circumftances
have efcaped his enquiry, within this diftricl, I fhall be
ready to communicate any information in my power refpeci=

I am. Sir, &c.

On

AT PEN DI X.

»99

On Fatting Beasts with Oil, Bran, & Hay.

Letter from LORD PETRE to Sir JOHN SINCLAIR,
Bart, dated Park-Lane, 2d April, 1795.

SIR,

A AM very forry that I was detained at a meeting of the.
Chelmir Navigation Company, till it was too late for the
Board of Agriculture.

I have received the following account from the country,
Telative to the fatting of beads on oil and bran: it is not fo
accurate as if they had been fed with a view fo making a regu-
lar experiment, but fuflicicntly io for general information.

To fimfli a beafi, weighing 100 Irorie or more, and coming
from gr2fs half fat, will colt, in oil, bran, and hay, ios. per
week, and gain, at leaft, 12 ftone per month, by which, <>.t
the moderate price of A-Zd. per lb. or 3s. per flone4 the feeder
will be the lolcr of 6d. per Hone ; but as the ox will be im-
proved,.in value, is. per Rone more, than if he had not \,i-en
finifhed with oil, (on account of the encreafed quantity of
fliet gained by the feeding with oil or oil-cakeb) the feeder,
upon the whole, is well paid for his trouble and expences.

What would be the difference' between the expence of oil,
or o.l-cakcs, I cannot pretend to fay ; I am at Inch a diflance
from the mills, that t lie carriage is very considerable, and a
or two of oil ir, eafily brought from London, which in-
duces mc to prefer oil.

I aain, <xc

200 APPENDIX.

On the Practice of Dibbling Wheat,

Letter from J. B. BURROUGHES, Esq. to Sir JOHN
SINCLAIR, Bart, dated Burling-ham, 21ft August,
1794.

SIR,

A. HAD the honour of receiving a letter from you, with
your Addrefs to the Board of Agriculture inclofed, for which
J beg leave to return my proper acknowledgements.

In your letter you mention Mr. Varlo's referring to me, in
a paper he laid before the Board of Agriculture, refpecting
fome important experiments I made in the practice of dib-
bling ; in confequence, fome queftions are propofed to me.
Permit me to obferve, Sir, it was not till the autumn of 1792,
I adopted this mode of fetting wheat, to any extent, there-
fore, cannot have made any experiments worthy to be laid
before the Board ; but have collected fuch information as the
neighbourhood affords on the fuhject, which, with my own
obfervations on the practice, I humbly fubmit to you.

jfirst* What are the different forts of grain that can be dib-
bled to advantage ?

9ii0faer. Wheat, peas, barley, and oats. — Beans alfo, when
grown in this neighbourhood, (which is but feldom) are dib-
bled.

§>eC0irtJ» What is the proper feafon for each, and can dib-
bling be done earlier and in worfe weather than when feed is
fown by other proceffes ?

gnsioer. 1 he weather fuitable for fowing, is the fame for
dibbling. — The wheat dibbling begins the middle of Septem-
ber, and continues to the end of Oclober 3 for barley and oats

March,

APPENDIX. 201

March, and the beginning of April ; for peas, March, and as
much earlier as the feafon will admit of.

tJTfnrtJ. What is the expence per acre, and what has been
found the bed dibbling inftrument ;

9iietocr. Wheat is dibbled from 9s. to 10s. per acre •, four
fui rows are contained in a yard wide; two holes are dibbled
in each furrow, and the holes are three inches diftant in the
rows. Barley and oats at 8s. and peas at 7s. per acre.
The inftrument commonly ufed in this neighbourhood, I have
taken the liberty to fend you ; it is fteeled at the point, about
three inches in length — the depth of the holes is about two
inches. — This inftrument is ufed for all dibbling.

jTourtf). What are thebeft foils for dibbling, and is it found
applicable on deep clayey foils ?

-einsincr. Our lightclt foils are dibbled to advantage, and fo
on. to the fhongcft loamv foil: deep clayey loil does not
abound in this neighbourhood.

piftf). Plow many perfons, per acre, does it require, and
what time does it take to dibble an acre, by any given num-
bers?

SlnstDCr. Onepetfon, with a pair of dibbling inftruments,

will do half an acre a day of wheat, three quarters of an acre

of barley, oats, or peas, with the afhftance of children to drop

the corn into the holes ; the wages, per day, of a child that

drops into only one nole, is 3d. — of fuch, fix are required to

follow one man ; of thofe that drop into two holes, three are

required to follow one man — the wages of fuch, per day, is

'here are fomctimes employed thole that drop into three

— their wages, per day, is iojd. and only two Inch are

How one man. — Four men to dibble, with their

ire eltcemed fufficicnt to work m

Sir*.

203 appendix;

fetrt!?. What is the faving of feed per acre ?

9nstDCr» Not lefs than fix pecks, nor more than eight
pecks, per acre, are dibbled : if fown broadcaft, from three to
four bufhels per acre.

fi>Cbent£» What is the additional produce per acre ?
Sinstoer* This is not yet afcertained by experiment : efti-
mated at four to fix bufhels per acre.

©igf)f£» Is the grain of a better quality ?
2ngtocr» Exceeds the broadcaft, in weight, from ten td
"twelve pounds in the quarter.

iSHntfn Can the praftice be eafily diffeminated?

9ttsiDer. By employing perfons ufed to dibbling, with thofe
that are totally ftrangers to the prafliee, will readily teach them
the way : and, upon enquiry, I find perfons in this neigh-
bourhood willing to engage themfelves, for a feafon, at a tri-
fling addition of wages, and their travelling expences allowed
them.

UnstJjv Stritt attention is required towards the children,
that they are not fuffered to drop more than three or four
grains of wheat, barley, or oats into each hole, nor more than
two or three beans or peas, as it may confiderably injure the
crop, befides wafte of feed.

Any information I can obtain farther, to throw light on
this fubje&j I fhall be happy to communicate, and remain, &c.

APPENDIX, 203

Answers to the Questions from the Board of
Agriculture, respecting Dibbling,

By Mr. BAKER, of ACLE, dated 13th August, 1794,

JL HE Board having done me the honour to apply to me,
for information on the fubjeft of dibbling, I have anfwered
the points referred to, in the concifeft and plaineft manner I
am able.

Sfiiet. Wheat, barley, peas, and vetches may be dibbled to
advantage.

S&eeotrtJ. The moft proper feafon (in the county of Nor-
folk) for dibbling wheat; is old St. Michael, and fourteen
days after ; for barley, the month of April ; peas and vetches,
the latter end of February and March, as the feafon may be.

tEbirtJ. The expcnce of dibbling, in our county, is from
8s. 6d. to 10s. per acre, for wheat and barley ; and 7s. 6d. to
8s. peas. — We have but one fort of dibbling inftruments,
which have the lower end of a conical form, for making the
holes.

jFour«> The mixt and fandy foils anfwer dibbling ; deep
clays, I obferve, are not often dibbled, but whether it is
found not to anfwer on fuch grounds, I am not able to fay.

jftftf). Two dibblcrs, with three droppers each, will dibble
an acre per day, of twelve hour.;.

fiirih,

204 appendix;

€/ijCti)» The faving of feed, per acre, is (if die droppers are
carefully attended to*) about fix pecks of wheat, eight of bar-
ley, and four of peas and vetches.

§>et>entl)» The additional produce, per acre, in wheat, I
cannot fo clearly fpeak to ; although I have dibbled my wheat
for feveral years, I never fairly tried the experiment. Laft
year was my firft dibbling of barley, and to try the difference
between fowing and letting, I dibbled a part, and fowed a
part of a ten acre piece, afcertaining the quantity of each, the
land hufbanded in the fame manner, and the dibbled and the
fown done at the fame time ; the dibbled land produced
twelve bufhels, per acre, more than the fown, which have in-
duced me to dibble the whole of my bailey this year.

dEipM). The grain, both of wheat and barley, that is dib-
bled, is of better quality than the fown, it being more free
from drofs, and the kernel larger.

jj5int6. Dibbling has fpread very faft in our county, the
diffemination thereof became eafv from the utility ; fome few
have introduced the drill, but the progrefs of that fyftem
feems to be very flow.

Ha0tfl?» The advantages in dibbling, which flrike me, are
as follows : the increafe of crops, the faving of feed, and the
employment of a number of poor children, which, without
that, would be idle, are advantages, in my humble opinion, to
be recommended.

* On the droppers depend very materially the faving of feed. I
have found, as the practice of dibbling increafed, that from the num-
ber of children working together, rendered it impoflible to make them
do their work properly ; therefore, I have, theie two or three lait
years, divided my dibblers, and have not more than two work toge-
ther, by which I have the feed dropped with more propriety, and
not half the trouble to myfelf.

The

APPENDIX. 205

The above account, Sir, to the Board, is my own opinion,
if it will be of any ufe {hall be extremely glad, and fh.ill be
always ready to communicate to the Board any thing I a.n
able.

Remarks on the advantage of Dibbling,
BY MR. WAGSTAFF.

MUST beg to diffent from Mr. Kent, in refuel to dib-
bling being not in fo high eftimation, as fome years fince ; it
is, I believe, true, that in certain diftricts of Norfolk, that,
properly fpeaking, dibbling is fomewhat leffened in i's manual
practice — as, to fave the expence by hand, many farmers have
adopted fpiked and drill rollers, imitative of the procefs pur-
fued in real dibbling; while this is a confeffion to, and con-
firmation of the utility of dibbling, its manual practice, where
hands are ea'fily procured, doth not appear to be leffened,
where it hath been long adopted, while it is annually diffu-
fing in an adjoining county, and is become a fuhjeft of experi-
ment in other counties. Indeed, what this gentleman Has
faid, that wheat fo planted is better bodied, and confequehtly
heavier, is true, in faft, while a faving of feed is acknow-
ledged : thefe, with the clover or graffy leys, being paftur-
able to the hour of ploughing, while the inverted turf is a cer-
tain manure, and forms, as it were, a matrix for the nourilh-
ment of tiie embryo feed, which, to tion, dilates its

fhoots, covers its allotted fp. ice, and each fhoot has its culm
or tlem, the ear of which is more replete in numbei . and with
a larger grain than arifes in the I nd " may

be remarked, that where certain holes have <

20t> APPENDIX.

patted without feeding, the parallel rows, on each fide, have
tillered forth their branches, whereby there hath not been an
apparent deficiency, nor, perhaps, much of a real one : cer-
tainly it is, in general, or with rarely an exception, that lands
of the foregoing defcription, thus dibbled, with a faving, at
lead, of a bufhel of feed per acre, are productive of more than
the quantity faved, and that grain fpecifically weightier than
from equal land, after repeated ploughings, when fown broad-
cait produces.

I wifii to add, with a degree of pleafurc — a pleafure refulting
from the parochial poor being found neceffary to be employ-
ed, as fome of thofe farmers who had fubftituted the fpike or
drill roller, have, from a conviction of an inferiority of the
planting by hand, turned back again to dibbling and drop-
ping ; while it is a juilice, due to fome of thofe who have thus
fubftituted the roller, that they have pleaded an expediency
from not being able, at all times, to procure a competent
number for dibbling, &c. — I wifh further to remark, perhaps,
with a degree of partiality, from having had the earliefl: pre-
dilection for dibbling of wheat, and being the firft who called
the attention of the fanner of this county to its utility, that
many hundred quarters of wheat are hereby added to the na-
tional flock, while, I believe, that little more than half the
fum of its value goes to the fupport and relief of thoufands of
parochial poor, who would, more generally, be deftitute of la-
bour, at the period of committing the feed wheat to the
ground.

appendix;

207

On the Advantage of Dibbling Wheat.

Extract or a Letter from Mr. CHARLES VARLO,
to LORD VISCOUNT CREMORNE, dated London,
21ft June, 1794.

FLATTER myfelf you will be fo kind as to lay before the
Board of Agriculture, of which you are a member, one of the
molt valuable improvements that, perhaps, ever appeared in
that fcience, viz.

The method of fetting corn, grain by grain, as at prcfent
practiced by a great number of farmers in Norfolk, and which
would become genera! in the three kingdoms, were it publicly
known to be of the utility it really is.

As I was the firfl that proved its value, both bv theory and
practice, it gives me .great pleafurc to fee the method anfwer
my molt fanguine expectations, and overcome the prejudices
that were firih raifed againd it. I make no doubt, but were
this melhod to become general, that one-third more coin
would be produced, than is by the prcfent mode of random
fowing, bcfides other advantages that would adrue both to
the farmer and labouring poor.

This is no chimeric.;! Icheme, but real f.icb, which I fhall
literally and limply (Low as they happened : — via.

In 17^4 I tried the experiment, and infertcd the refult in

ftiep, publiihed in the'fecond year, and have

1 • in all my cdi-

208 APPENDIX.

tions, both of the New Syflem of Hufbandry, and Effence of
Agriculture, which were circulated in England, Ireland, and
America.

In confidering the works of nature, through all the vegeta-
ble creation, and comparing them with the farmer's practice
of fowing, I found many defects in the latter, which crampt
the former from producing her abundance, but in nothing
more than in that of feeding the ground, as, in moft cafes,
three-fourths of the leed is thrown away by the piefent mode
of random fowing.

Mr. Tull, and many other authors, had the fame idea,
which induced them to invent drill-ploughs, in order to re-
duce it to fome fort of a regular fyftem by drilling — but, by
all their efforts, it never could be made general.

When I came to conhder the whole procefs, I found that
even dibbling was only half doing the bufinefs, as air and
roots, which keep the crop in health and vigour, can only
circulate two ways; I therefore caufi-d a machine to be made,
to place the corn regularly in a diagonal form, it was finifhed
in 1764, for which the Honourable Dublin Society voted me
a premium.

With this machine I proved the proper diftances that the
grain fhould (land from each other, in order to give nature
liberty to produce her full increafe, but in thefe I found there
is no general rule without an exception, but that circum-
ftances muffc vary according to the foil, which, if of a deep
and rich quality, and kept clear from weeds, one grain, fet
in the middle of a circular foot diameter, will Itool to fill the
fpace — but if the foil be of a weak, fandy, or gravelly nature,
a grain would only fill about fix inches diameter; however,
this is mppofing eveiy grain to happen nothing, but to come
to maturity, which is too great a hazard to trufL to; therefore,

experience

APPENDIX.

409

experience has taught two, three, or even four grains in a hole
are neceflary, and may be produ&ive of a fure crop.

When a grain of corn vegetates, it appears with two blades
flicking together, till about three inches high, then it parts
and falls flat on the ground, to each fide of the root ; at that
period, it is what we call weaned from the kernel, and then
begins to take its nutriment from the earth, whereas, the firft
two blades are, in faft, no more than the kernel or flower of
the feed, turned into a green 'leaf; when this fprings up, it
leaves in the ground the hufk or bran, which may be faid
to refemble a blown egg, and thefc will remain, undecayed,
even till after the corn is reaped. By thus obferving minute-
ly the progrefs of the plant, through all its ftages, led mc to
find out the caufe and preventative of fmutty wheat, a malady
well known among the farmers to be the deftrnttion of many
a good crop ; having hit upon the caufe, it was cafy to find
out an effectual cure, which I have done, is well known to
numbers that have read my works, and, I believe, I may fay,
I was the firft author that fo minutely and fo largely treated
on the fubjeft, through all its ftages of growth, from the feed
to the fickle — but to return to the letting : the feed plant
which fprings froin the kernel, generally produces the ftouteit
ftraw, largeftear, and boldeft grain, though, indeed, all the
ficceeding fhoots, which fpring from the fides, may be good,
yet, in general, they are not, but abate fomcthing of the lizc
of the ear and number of the grain of the firft fhoot.

Nature is very prolific, and will not fail of filling the
ground, fo long as fhe can find food to feed the plants.
The car in the middle, which fills the kernel, will be the
largeft, and, if good land, perhaps, contain from go to ioo
prdins ; the next cars may abate fomclhing of the number,
and fo on till they become very final!, perhaps, only a few
grains in an car; but, were any of thefc branches flipt off while
young Mid tranfpUnted, they would ftrike root and produce

D d «an

210 APPENDIX.

ears of a full fize, according to the room given for the roo!
to fpread ; this (hews the true policy of putting a proper
number of grains into each hole, two, three, or, at mod, four,
is very fuflicient to produce a full crop — more would ftarve
the caufe, by eating one another out ; four dropped in a hole
of an inch diameter, (which is generally the fize of a fetting-
fiick) would have an outfide to give them liberty 'to feed
round, and the ear, being the produce of the flower, as be-
fore obferved, would be ftrong, and the ftraw flout to fup-
port it, whereas, fhould five, fix, feven, or more, be dropped
in the fame hole, (and which is too often the cafe) they would
draw each other up to be weak and dwindling, the infide
plants would fuller both for the want of food and air.

I have feen fo many experiments of the fort tried, that I
Urn confident none can equal the method of fetting corn
at a proper diftance, as before defcribed, in order to produce
a full crop.

Another great benefit that arifes from the corn being fet
at an equal diftance from each other is, that it can be quickly
hoed, an operation verv neceffary to kill the weeds, lighten
the ground, and give vigour to the plants, and is a bufinefs
that may be performed by women, boys, or girls, as the
fpace between root and root is not to feck, being at a regular
diltance.

When my work made its appearance fiifl among the Nor-
folk farmers, (which are fomc of the belt in the kingdom) it
was looked noon as a fooiifh chimerical fcheme, and not like-
ly to anfwer the purpofe. within any re.ifonable degree of
expence, except it could be performed by a machine, iuch as
ipike- rollers, &c. and, indeed, though I was well convinced-
of its utility, by the eye of reafon, yet I was rather doubtful,
that if it failed, this is the rock it would fplit upon; however,-
experience foon proved the reverfe.

It

APPENDIX, 2lt

It is true, I found out the firft principle by my machine, as
as before fpecified, but repeated trials fhewed, that no com-
plicated machine was equal to fetting by hand.

About five years after my work circulated in Norfolk,
bunnefs brought me to th:it county, and in an open field,
about three mUes from Norwich, I was agreeably lurprized
to fee feveral tompanies at work, fetting wheat — this hap-
pened about twenty-five years fince : I never heard any
thing more of it till the prefent year, I came to Lynn in Nor-
folk, where I dined at the Crown Inn with a company of
gentlemen farmers, whp moftly followed that practice, and
who all agreed, that it was a \cry valuable difcovery, both to
Xhe farmers and the poor.

Having fo good an opportunity of taking the fenfe of fb
many refpcttable farmers as were prefent, I begged to know
the particular advantage that accrued from this mode of fetting,
above all others they formerly pra£lifed, and if they were
willing I fhould report it to the Honourable Board of Agri-
culture, or the Royal Society, in order that if the members
of the faid Board thought proper, they might infert it in the
public papers, for the good of the community in general ;
they feverally anfvvered, they had no obje£lion how public it
was made, for it was well worthy of being communicated.
I requeftcd to know what the increafe might be by fetting,
and the other advantages? To thefe queftioris I was anfwercd
as follows: — Firft, that the produce was more, by ten or
twelve bufhels an acre, than by the former method, particu-
larly if the fet wheat is hoed. Secondly, it is lefs liable to
misfortune, fuch as lodging, after heavy rain;, mildews, &c.
Thirdly, the flraw is (toutcr and the grain bolder, conle-
qucntly would give the beft price. Fourthly, employing fo
many poor children, parifh rates would be lels.

As to the quantity of wheat that might he Pel in the feafon,
■i of by the gentlemen, whule names are here-
inafter

212 APPENDIX.

inafter fpecified, given in writing by Mr. George Barber, one

of the company, viz.

9rre0.

John Barber, of Duntori, Norfolk, . . fet . . 200

Benjamin Barber, Woodbajlwick, Do. . — . : 140

George Barber, Stanninghalt, Do. . . — . . 100

Thomas Brown, Tkrigby, Do. ... — . . 70

George Everit, Caijler, Do. ... — . . 60

John Chriftmas, Billockby, Do. ... — . . 100

James Burroughes, Efq. Burlivgkam, Do. — . . 140

John Harrifon, Panxzuorth, Do. . . — . . 130

Thomas Saul, Blofield, Do — . , 16

George Baker, Acle, Do. , . . . . — . . 140

The lafl gentleman (Mr. Baker) has alfo fet, by hand, a
"large quantity of barley, which is found to anfwer the pur-
pofe as well as wheat ; fo would oats and rye, as they are
grain that multiply, if they have room given to fpread.

If this method was become general, it would fave an im-
menfe quantity of feed, and keep the poor employed from
February to May; and, as experience has proved, paft contra-
diction, the great utility of fetting wheat in fo extenfive a
manner, might not the fcale be extended — even through the
three kingdoms.

APPENDIX.

213

REMARKS, by Dr. HINTON,

Upcn the Advantages of Peat and Lime for Mdiiurc, with a
Recommendation of the Saifflcr, as a ment upon the

Norfolk Plough, in very light parts of the County of Norfolk,

N the weftern extremity of this hundred, the farmers, in
general, complain of the want of manure, to fertilize the ara-
ble land, in the extenhve parifhes of llockwold, Wilton,
Weeting, Feltwell, Methwold, and Northwold. — Thcfe pa-
rifhes are furrounded by twenty-rive thoufand acres of low-
lands, containing inexhauflible beds of excellent peat.

Mr. Kent, in his " Hints to Gentlemen of Landed Pro-
perty." aiferts, (I am convinced with great truth) peat allies
are one of the noblefl manures we have for artificial grades ;
yet it is very little known, and very far from being generally
fought after. This is the cafe within the hundred of Grim-
fhoc ; what peat is dug, is merely for domeftic uie ; the gene-
ral fuel of the country is flag, or furface turf, pared oil the
fens: its component parts are the roots of herbage, common
earth, which will not burn, and fome peat. The afhes from
this fuel, are daily depofited in proper places, d:(t.mt from
the habitations of the poor, and carefully quenched with
water, to prevent conflagration ; hence arifc heaps of this
ound of dirt and pcat-ufh, moiftcned by daily watering,
and an cxpofurc to the air and rain, and mow of wi
and yet o ir firmn-3, with the manure of this compound,
good turnips, and find it beneficial in their wheat en

How n efficacious would be the aflr 1 un-

adulterated peat, prepared and pi el . >m the action of the

214 APPENDIX.

air, and depofited in houfes erected for the purpofe, in the
JBerkfliire manner.

Mr. Kent obferves, " thofe who live in the neighbourhood
of Newbury, are fenfible of the ineftimable value of this
manure,

I am not enabled, by chemical experiments, to determine
that the qualities of the Norfolk afhes would be fimilar to
thofeof Berkfhire, but, fo far as I can judge from the external
appearance of the peats and afhes of both counties, I am per-
fuaded the Grimfhoe farmer would alfo be ieniible of the
great value of this manure.

With all due deference, therefore, I fuggeft, that in the in-
tended improved edition of Mr. Kent's general view, &c.
mention may be made of this manure ; and it may be enume-
rated among the natural advantages which this county pof-
feues.

Lime, a manure in common ufe in the midland and nor-
thern counties, abounds in Norfolk, though it is feldom there
applied to that purpofe. Various and contradictory are the
opinions which have been mentioned concerning the power
ar>d effects of it in agriculture — it has been commended as an
excellent fertilizer, and condemned as a pernicious exhaufter
of land : I confefs, 1 cannot think it would have been ap-
plied by the midland and northern farmers, for half a cen-
turv, if general experience had not afcertained its utility.

In the parifh where I refide, I find it univerfally condemn-
ed : Mr. F , a capital farmer here, loft a crop of wheat

bv ufing it, ten years ago, and no one felt bold enough to
make a fecond experiment. On inveftigating, lately, the par-
ticulars of this affair, I find Mr. F , inftead of preparing

his fallow for the feed, by putting on the lime at a proper
time before fowing, actually dreffed the growing crop with

hot

AFPENDIX; 2IC

hot cauflick lime, at the latter end of the month of March,
and the confequence was fuch as might be expe&ed from fuch
a procefs : I had the fatisfaftion to hear, from another quar-
ter, that though the crop of that year was fpoiled, it was fup-
pofed, by fome people, that the land was the better for the
lime for many years after.

Lime is fold, at the fale-kilns in this county, at an high
price, 14s. per chaldron — and this prefents a formidable ob-
ftacle to the general ufc of it in agriculture. Coals are
dear, and the war has advanced the price of them — but chalk
lime-flonc abounds every where with us, and may be got on.
eafv terms ; fo that, I am perfuaded, notwithstanding the pre-
fent price of coal, a farmer may burn his own lime at gs. 6d. *
per chaldron : allowing even 3^ chaldrons of lime to an acre,
the coft of manure is only il. 12s. qd. and the charges of cart-
ing it are infinitely lefs than thofe of carting dung fufiicicnt
for an acre of land, as are alio loading and fprcading,

Part of our lands are diftant from the homefteads three
miles — the expence of manuring thele lands is immenfe ;
three journies in a day, is the work of four (lout horfes. —
Thefe horfes would, in one day, draw lime fufiicicnt to ma-
nure two acres of that land, which, if manured with dung,
would require the work of four horles (at three journeys per
day, at only nine loads per acre) fix days.

Chalk lime- .lone is (oft, why may it not be calcined with
peat p

The brick-makers at Cley, who fupply us here with th.it
article for building, of a moft excellent quality, ufc peat in
burning them; perhap , the heat may be fo quick and intenfe,
as to vitrify the lime hone : perhaps, the alkaline fait, v.
the peat contains, aote that vitrttwaiiqn,

But,

3l6 APPENDIX.

But, perhaps, thcfc evils may not happen, or may be pre-
vented by proper expedients, viz. burning the lime in an
open kiln, and not in a reverbcratory one, hence the draught
or current of air would be very weak, and we know vitrifica-
tion is the effect only of the higher degrees of heat: the fire
may be made jointly of coal and peat.

If peat can be ufed in burning lime, an incorporation of
pcat-afhes with the lime, might improve the manure.

To convince my parifhioners, that lime is a very valuable
manure, I made the fair comparative experiment hereafter
mentioned : — Between two lands, manured with yard dung,
I manured an intermediate one, with lime, for turnips — the
ploughings and culture, as well as the quality, of the three
lands were fimilar. The turnips have all had the nrft hoeing,
but fuch is the fuperioritv of the crop, on the limed land,
that every perfon, who hath viewed them, is convinced, that
lime, though it deflrovcd wheat, would not kill turnips. — I
irnoute the fuperioritv of the turnip crop, to the novelty, if I
may fo call it, of the manure.

May not fomewhat be faid in the intended publication, to
remind the men of Norfolk, that abundance of lime-ftone is
another of the natural advantages which this county poffeffes.

Ploughing is certainly done, as Mr. Kent obferves, with
greater eafe, in this county, than any other, and much
cheaper.

I conceive an improvement may be made in the culture of
the light lands of the hundreds of Shropham, Guiltcrofs, Wey-*
land, South Greenhoe, and Grimfhoe, by introducing the ufe
of the new Scuffler, recommended by the Agricultural Society
of Leicefterfiiire. — This inftrument is defigned for flirring
arable light lands, which have been previoufly broken up by
the plough.

I faw

APPENDI X.

217

I faw one of thefe fcufHers (conftru&ed by the ingenious
Mr. Hanford, of Huthen, near Loughborough,) at work in
afield, the foil a fandy loam, worth 11s. per acre ; it was
drawn by three horfes, of no greater ftrength or value than
our Norfolk Fen-jades, and effectually flirred five acres in a
day.

N. B. The other remarks of Dr. Hinton are taken notice of,
in this revifed edition, in their proper places.

A useful Hint from Mr. JVagstaff, respect-
ing the raising of New Fences,

DATED NORWICH, NOVEMBER, 1794.

I

N the inclofing of a new farm, I {hall take the liberty of
'tin; what I have experienced practical: viz. — That
fences may be flrcngthcncd, while that additional ftrength
may become fubfervient to what (in fome fituations) may
more than pay the rental of the land they inclofe. Crab,
white and black-thorn, are generally allowed to form the molt
complete fences ; the Hi it. it is well known, may be fuccefs-
fully engrafted with every fpecies of apples; the fecond,
though not Co well known, may be fuccefsfully, and more
fruitfully, engrafted with every fpecies of pears ; the third,
efpccially if the layer or quick is rat fed from plumb-ftoncs,
■ry fpecies of that fruit : hence, whe-
ther either of ihofe wildings be ranked together, ur commixt,
each I .• due intervals, may be engrafted or budded

with its Congenial fruit j anil while the engrafted or inocu-
lated

2l8 appendix:

lated bole rifes to a flandard tree, their intervals may be dipt,
and, in courfe, ftrengthened as a fence. It may be requiiite
to obferve, that no flock receives and nourifhes with more
admirable facility its graft, than the white-thorn, the fcion or
bud of the pear; but, in confequence of the engraftment be-
ing four or more feet from the ground, the fcion foon be-
comes larger in diameter than the flock, but this circumftance
I have made fubfervient to their bearing, by leading their very
vigorous fhoots to flakes or flandard trees, where affixed,
they acquire the form and fruitfulnefs of an efpalier, which
being raifed two or three feet above the quick, are out of the
reach of the bite of cattle, and form a complete barrier againft
their leaping over, or breaking through : with equal eafe they
may afcend into fturdy flandards, by being engrafted within
an inch or two of the bank. It may be needlefs to add, that the
firfl mentioned genus of fruit trees may thus be promoted to a
manufactory of cyder and perry, and from fmall farms in
the vicinity of towns, or in eafy communication with the
metropolis, fupply their alimental produce for immediate
confumption, perhaps, in fome favourable years, to the
amount, in value, of the other produce of fingle or two-fold
acres they inclofe.

I wifh to avoid repetition, but I am perfuaded of the prac-
ticability of this fcheme of inclofure, and farther, that the wild
and bird cherry fPrunus PadusJ are feverally fufceptible of
every fpecies of cherries : thefe various flocks, thus amelio-
rated, would be beautiful in objeft. fubflantial in value; anJ
be of provincial benefit wherever adopted.

APPENDIX. 219

ON THE

Uses and Value of the Spanish Chesmit.

Letter from Mr. KENT, to the PRESIDENT of the
SOCIETY of ARTS, MANUFACTURES, and COM-
MERCE, dated 16th Jan. 1792.

INCEI have had the honour of becoming a member of
the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufa&ures,
and Commerce, I have read with great fatisfa&ion Mr. Ma-
jendie's judicious remarks upon the Spanifh chefnut, in the
ninth volume of their Tranfattions, page 17, and obfervation
and experience have long convinced me, that it is the moffc
profitable tree that can be planted. Although the character
which he gives of it, has in a great meafure anticipated what I
had to fay in its favour, (till I am perfuaded a few more parti-
culars relative to it, will not be confidered impertinent or ill-
timed, though it may in fome inftanccs carry the appearance
of repetition.

I entirely agree with Mr. Majendie, that, for hop-poles
and flakes, it has no equal, in point of durability, and confe-
quently no underwood can be applied to thofc purpofes with
equal profit. He fecms to think, indeed, that it is not fo
quick in its growth as afh ; upon a moift foil, I think it is
not, but upon a fand or loam, I apprehend it will keep full
pace with the afh, and attain fufficient fize for hop-poles in
fourteen years, and be worth at that age two guineas a hun-
dred, and la ft, with proper care, twenty years; whilll afh,
which fcldom comes to fufficient fize in left than tv»
years, will only bear two-thirds of the price, and decay in
hftlf the time.

Ec z

220 APPENDIX.

For gates and hurdles it is equally good, and being lefs
heavy than oak, is another great recommendation to it, as it
is removed from one place to another with greater eafe. To
thefe and many other purpofes, cheinut, trained and cut as
underwood, is peculiarly adapted ; and, in point of beauty,
no wood furpafles it, as it admits of clofe planting, runs flrait
in its branches, and always appears florid and healthy.

I fhall next confider the value of the Spanifh chefnut for
timber, in which (except for the unrivalled purpofes of
fhip-building) it will be found for moft ufes equal to the
oak, and in buildings and out-door work much fuperior.

In 1676, an anceftor of the prefent Mr. Windham, of Fel-
brigg, in Norfolk, had the merit of being a confiderable plan-
ter of chefnut. In the fpace of fifty years, it is prefumed thefe
plantations required thinning, as his fucceflbr, about that
time, began to apply this timber to ufeful purpofes upon his
eftate.

The firft account is of the branch or limb of a chefnut,
about thirteen inches fquare, which, in the year 1726, was
put down as a hanging poft for a gate, and carried the gate,
without alteration, fifty-two years, when, upon altering the
inclofures of the farm where it flood, it was taken up, under
my dire&ion, and appearing to be perfectly found, was nut
down for a clapping-poft in another place.

In 1743, a large barn was built with fome of this timber,
and is now as found in every part, beams, principals, and
fpars, as when firft the barn was built : about the fame time,
feveral chefnut pofts and rails were put down, which I have
fmce feen removed, and after (landing thirty or forty years,
generally appeared fo fpund, as to admit of being fet up in
fome other place.

The

APPENDIX. 221

The laft inftance I fhall mention, though not oflong date,
%vill fhew the great fuperiority of this timber over oak in
fences. In the year 1772, the prefent Mr. Windham made a.
large plantation in his park, which was fenced with potts and
rails, converted from young oaks and chefnut s of the fame
age and fcantling, fuch as were picked out of a place where
they Hood too thick. Laft year, upon Mr. Windham's en-
larging his plantation, it was neceffary to remove this fence —
when the chefnut pods were found as found as when they
were fir ft put down, but the oak were fo much waited, juft
below the furface of the ground, that they could not be ufed
for the fame purpofes again, without the afliiluncc of a four
to fupport them.

To thefe modern proofs of the utility and durability, we
may join the authority of Evelvn, an author of cftablifhcd re-
putation, who afferts, it is good for "mill-timber and water-
•* work, and that great part of our ancient houfes in the citv
ff of London were built with it, and that it docs well for table
f and other furniture."

As a candid quoter of Evelyn, however, T admit that he
fays, in another place, that he " cannot celebrate this tree for
f* its fincerity, it being found (contrary to oak) it will make a
*' fair fhow outwardly, when it is all decayed and rotten
li within ; but that this is in fome fort recompenfed, for the
" beams have the property of being fomewhat brittle, of
f* crackling, and giving warning of danger,"

To account for this drawback in Mr. Evelyn's opinion, It
will be proper to obferve, that this certainly is the cafe with
old chefnut, that : fuffered t<> ft and beyond the time

of its attaining its full growth; it is th <■> -ill

timber, being more brittle ami mo
fplinters than any other : bul I have never known

afc With young chefnut, and therefore in, ppinl <>' •

222 ATPENDIX.

nomy, it fhould never be fuffered to Hand longer than the
points of the branches, and the complexion of the bark, indi-
cate it to be in a growing or healthy ftate, which is not very
difficult to afccrtain, by a perfon accuflomed to make obser-
vations upon timber; and it is this very circumftance, when
properly attended to, that makes this timber more profitable
than mod others ; for it is fo early ufeful, that if it be cut
when it fquares only fix inches, it will be as durable as an
oak of fix times its fize and age. This is in a great meafure
accounted for, by its having fo little fap in proportion to
other trees, as it will feldom exceed in thicknefs the breadth
of the bark ; whereas the fap of an oak will often be from an
inch to two inches thick, which is not only ufelefs, but if
fuffered to remain, tends very much to the deftruftion of the
timber: in other refpe&s, the duration of the chefnut may be
accounted for, from its being lefs affe&ed by worms or in-
i'ecls than other timber ; otherwife it would be impoffible
that fuch roofs as King's college. Cambridge, built in the
reign of Henry VI. with chefnut, and many other equally an-
cient buildings, fhould have lafted fo long, and be ftill in fuch
a perfecl ftate as many of them are.

Therefore, like Mr. Majendie, I earneftly wifh to fee the
culture of this moft valuable plant, extended over every part
of the kingdom, as it muft prove highly beneficial to the
public.

But let no one be afraid of cutting it too young ; for, let
this tree be ever fo fmall, if it is large enough for the purpofe
for which it is wanted, it will be the lefs liable to decay from
its youth ; and, if underwood be the objeft, the proverb, in
beech countries, will be fully verified, " Cut wood and have
V wood."

APPENDIX; 2^3

Substance of the Contracts which subsist be-
tween Thomas William Coke, Esq. and his
Tenants.

Cbe Lansiortt,

A]

-FTER a proper defcription of the parcels, demifes, for
the term of twenty-one years, at a fair ftipulated rent, which
is referved to be paid half-yearly, out of which land-tax i.?
deducted — all other refervations and reftii&ions are contained
under the

TENANT'S OBLIGATION;

Which are as follow: — That he will not affign, transfer, fefc
over, or part his interelt. in the eftate, to any perfon, excep*
to his wife, child or children, without the licence of his land-
lord, firft obtained in writing, under penalty of forfeiting hrs
remaining term. — He will not lop, top, or prune any maiden
tree, or cut down any young fapling, like to become tin
under penalty of paying three times the value of fuch tim
tree or fapling fo lopped, topped, pruned, or cut down. —
That he will nut break up or convert into a] old

meadow or pafture land, without licence (o to do, under
penalty of five pounds an acre additional yearly rent, to be
paid from the time of fuch breaking up to the end of the term ;
and double that penalty for the laft year. — That he
during the whole of the term, endeavour as much as pouible
to adhcic and conform Jo the courfc of cropping all hit
arable land, under fix fhifts, or equal portions, of v hi< b one
fhift fli-dl be in turnips, orvetchei Bed offwii

r fhifa in graft fe<

■ ■

2 2-1 APPENDIX,

■ the fame have lain two years); one other fhift in wheat, and
the remaining two fhifts with lent grain. — But in cafe it fhall
fo happch that the grafs feeds fhall at any time fail, fo as to
render it reafonablc to break up any particular piece of land,
after it has been in grafs or.ly one year, then he fhall be per-
mitted to break, up fuch piece of land after one year's lay,
takin^ only one crop of corn or grain after fuch one year's
lay, and then hammer-tilling the fame for turnips, and fo
bringing it round again as foon as poffible under the regular
couri'e of fix fhifts before fiipulatcd. — That he will in the laft
year of the term leave one full fixth part of all the arable
land hereby demifed in grafs feeds of one year's lay ; one
other fixth part in two year's lay ; one other fixth part in
turnips, fown upon a fourth earth, well mucked and twice
hoed. — That he will expend and confume all his hay, ftraw,
and Hover, upon fome part of the premifes during the whole
of the term, and lay and fpread ail the muck, dung, and com-
poft arifing therefiom upon fuch parts of the land as is mofl
proper to bellow the fame upon. — And that he will imbam
and hack all his laft year's crop of corn or hay upon the
premifes in the laft year of the term, and leave the dung
ariling from the lafl crop but one properly turned up in
heaps, in the yards or fome other fuitable part of the pre-
mifes, on or before Midfummer day in the lafl year of the
term. — That he will keep all his hedges, ditches, mounds, and
fences in good order and condition during the whole of
the term ; and new make or repair one-twelfth part of the
whole, every year ; and at the time of fuch making or repair-
ing the fame, will lop fuch pollards as have been ufually lop-
ped clofe to their heads, and cut down all the bufhes, thorns,
and flemwood, clofe to the ftools on which they grow, and
effectually fcour and cleanfe the ditches belonging to the
fame, and alfo permit and fuffer any trees to be planted in or
near the fame which the faid Thomas William Coke may
think proper to plant, and do all in his power to proteft the
fame. — That he will carry all materials for repairs, pay all

carpenters'.

APPENDIX. 22 J

carpenters', bricklayers', and other artificers' wages, find al»
lowance beer, nails and gate irons, ftraw for thatching and
clay for daubing, and likewife keep gates, ftiles, raita, locks,
bars, and bolts in good repair, being allowed timber in the
rough, bricks, tiles, lime, and hair, for doing the fame. — That
he will at any time during the term hereby demifed agree and
fubmit to any exchange of land that may be propofed, having
other land of equal quantity or value laid to him in lieu of
what he may be required to give up. — That he will permit
and fuffer the fucceeding tenant to fow any grafs feeds he
may choofe upon fuch part of his land as he may fow with
lent grain in the laft year of the term, and that he will
fufhciently harrow in the fame gratis.

Lastly it is agreed, for the mutual convenience of both
parties, that the hay and turnips which fhall be left upon the
premifes at the expiration of the term, fhall then be valued by
two impartial perfons competent to value the fame; and if
they cannot agree in fuch valuation, they fhall have power
to call in and appoint any third perfon they may choofe as
an umpire, to fettle the difference between them ; and the
value fo fettled fhall be paid by the in-coming to the out-
going tenant. — That the out-going tenant fhall be fuffcrcd to
retain the ufe of the barns and (lack yard till the firfl of May
next after the expiration of the term, for the purpofe of fu-
perintending the threfhing out and dreffing his laft year's
crop of corn — That the in coming tenant fhall have liberty
to enter upon the yards, part of the (tables, and upon the
fixth part of arable land, bein^ the fecond year's lay, at Mid-
fummer previous to the expiration of the term, for the pur-
pofe of carrying out the muck and making the fummer fal-
lows for an enhiing wheat crop.— That the in-coming tenant
fhall be entitled to the draw, chaff, and colder, arifing from.
the lafl year's crop of corn ; but ihall be at the expence of
threfhing out the faid corn, and carrying it to the ufual
markets, fol and in lisu of the (did ftraw. chaff, and colder.

. f 1 AT TING

226 APPENDIX,

FATTING SCOTCH CATTLE.

A comparative Statement of the Procefs, Expence and Profit
attending three different Kinds of Scotch Cattle, grazed in
Norfolk, particularly the Galloway Scot, for which I am
indebted to Mr. Burton, of Hemp nail.

'F the Scotch cattle, there are three forts which require
confederation. The firft is a bullock bought at St. Faith's for
about gl. turned of four years old, in fuch condition as is
fit to be put immediately to turnips — this bullock is fuppofed
to be brought to from fifty to fifty-two ftone. He is put to>
turnips for about twenty-four weeks, the average expence of
which, including turnips, carriage and attendance, and in
cafe of bad weather, when a little hay is ufually given, be-
fides the ftraw, cannot be reckoned lefs than 4s. per week,
this brings him to 13I. 16s. and fuch a bullock generally will
fetch about 5 s. 6d. per ftone of 14 lbs. which amounts to
14I. 16s.

The fecond bullock is bought quite lean, about the fame
time as the former, for about 61. and is a year younger than
the former. He is firft put into flubble or ordinary grafs till
the ftraw yard is open, and then he is put to ftraw at night,
and eats the offal turnips after the better beaft in the day-
time:— his keep in this way, twenty-four weeks, till May-day,
may be fet at is. 6d. per week ; he fhould then be put to
marfti or into good pafture till a fortnight after Michaelmas,
■which, fay twenty-eight weeks, at 2s. 3d. per week, is 3I. 3 s. ;
he then goes to turnips, like the former bullock, for eight
weeks, at 3s. which is il. 4s. ; his aggregate charge is thert
12I. 3s. — his weight may be expefted to be forty-four ftone,
"and value 12I. 2s,

The

APPENDIX. 227

The third, fuppofed to be bought at Harlefton in Decem-
ber, a lean beaft of the fame age as the firft, price 7I. He
goes immediately to draw and offal turnips for about eight
weeks, at is. 6d. which is 12s. ; then he goes to full keeping
at turnips by day, and lies in the draw yards at night, about
ten weeks, at 2s. 6d. which is il. 5s. ; he is then put into the
fecond year's lay or good pafture till harveft, about twenty
weeks, at 3s. per week, which is 3L ; this brings him to
ill. 17s. — he will then generally be about forty-fix ftonc,
at 5s. 6d. which will amount to 12I. 13s.

The fair deduction to be made from this ftatement is, that
the firft pays 10 per cent, intercft upon the capital laid out,
and alfo a fair price for every thing he confumes.

The fecond returns no intercft for the original coft, but
pays a fair price for what he confumes.

The third pays 15 per cent, for the original fum laid out,
befides paying like the reft for what he confumes.

It fhould fcem at firft view of this ftatement, that there is
fo little profit attending this fyftem of grazing, that it is not
a procefs to be recommended; but if we confider the advan-
tage which the fucceeding crops owe to it, in confcqucncc of
the great quantity of manure, to fay nothing of the advantage
of treading, which on a light foil is a vaft tiling, we Ihall be
fatisfied of the great advantage derived from it.

It may not be amifs to obferve, however, that it is obvious
that the rcafon why the fecond does not pay in fo large a
piopoition as the other, is owing to his being longer in hand.

rf*

C2g

j jv J) e ::.

J-ACE

XlLGRICULTURE, its diffufive and fuperior advantages, %
Jts proiperity connected in three na-
tural ties, — — *9*

Board of Agriculture, jts firft apparent object, %

The good effects to be expected
from it, with a hint to its
Members, — 5

The Norf >lk hufbandry particu-
larly deferving its attention, 151
Barley, how many tilths fown upon, — 4 5

Its great aid to the revenue, — — J 5°

Buck Wheat, the belt mode of introducing it, — 6z

Beans, but little cultivated, — — ibid.

BuRN-BAKiNC, its pernicious and definitive cfTefrs, 183 to 1^7
A temporary increafe of rent no deai;\c

proof of advantage from it, — *s7

Old fward elfential to the health of a ilock, ibid.

Contents, and divifion, — « — 6 rmd 7

Climate, and weather, — _ 10

Composts, the Eflex method of turning up brink* and bor-
ders recommended, — - 1-
Copyhold, different kinds of it, —
Cropping, the fix and :: fhifts, —

The four counl- (hift fimilar to Flahd 33

i hiits for an occafional improvement u] I l
' ifts, — — 3" ■

Odcaiional variation (hou ■ -d,

23O INDEX.

Clover , cuflom of mowing and grazing it, 45

Crops., their fuppoied average,- ** — ' — 56

Cabbage, worth attention, — *— 6z

Carrots, of great value, — — ibid.

Common Fields, Lord Chief Juflice Coke's idea of their

origin, — — 72

Disadvantages attending them, 73

Commons, their different quality — 81

Lamentable that they mould remain in their pre-

fentftate, — — ibid.

Arguments for their continuance fallacious, ibid.

Their fuppofed quantity, — 82

Lofs fuftained by the public, — ibid.

Gows, the Suffolk fort be ft for the farmer, — .100

The old fort bell for the cottager, — ibid.

Crossing, fome affinity ought always to be obferved, 104

Should always be done with caution, 108

Cottages, a wifh to fee them of a comfortable fort, m

Consumption, how different in quantity between the horfe

and the human mouth, — 141

Commerce, the credit of Norfolk ftands high, 143 to 150

jfts great export of corn, fat bullocks and fheep,
&c. fent to London, — 144 to 149

Dibbling, great benefit refulting from it, — 38

Draining, a good method upon meadows, — 50

The Effex method bed upon arable land, 5r

Decoys, not fo numerous as they might be, — 106

Estates, one of the advantages refulting from large ones? 57

Frost, 3 great fertilizer of land, — — ij

Folding Sheep, permanent folds make great quantity of

ufeful manure, — 2$

A good praftice folding upon fown corn, 34

Flax and Hemp, — — — 56

Farmers, the worft clafs of landlords, — ' 57

A duty incumbent on them, J72andi7j

Recommended to confider the labourer of real

importance, — — 193

Fallowing exploded, — -» — 66

Farms,

INDEX.

"*o>

Farms, the moft profitable fize confidered, — 119

Arguments in favour of each, — j -a

The arguments weighed, — f 30 to it<

Their different effects upon fociety, 13a to 131

Excels to be avoided in lize, 13+ and 1 jc

Fairs, a lift of them, — — 166 and 167

Fisheries, profit of the herring fifliery, — 14^

Might be improved by checking th= Dutch, 169

Fences, railed well and managed ill, iSiand 1S3

Game, abundant but too often the fource of anhnofity, 107

Great work, recommended as much as pollible, Hi

Grass seeds, ihould be chofen agreeably to foil, ^

Grazing and Ploughing, will always correct the exccTs of

each other, — -4.

Common profits on grazing, iJr
Average weight of a Scotch bul-
lock, — ibi<L
Average weight of a hcme-bred, 1:2
Herriots, but little known in this county, — -0
Hemp axd Flax, their national importance, e&
Hops, very little cultivated, — — gt
Hay, a more frugal ufe of it recommended, — 64.
Horses, defcribed, — — — 100
Hermaphrodites, ufeful on (mall farms and in bufy feafons, 1 ig
Harvesting, the general mode in Norfolk reprehenfible,

180 and iS;

Irrigation, recommended when pracrk 51 to 63

I.nclosures, their advantage, and favourable to population,

73 and 74.
Obftru&ions ftiould be removed, }

Highly deferring encouragement from V76 and 77

the legislature, j

Would be good policy in government, 78

* , a ufeful hint for its ufe by Dr. Hinton, 26

Leaseholds, very few on lives, though for cottage: thi

mire is recommended — af

Lucerv, a great help, — — <>-

1.AND, rec ' to be improved before ftock, as the ilD-

provcinent of the latter will naturally follow, 104.

Li ■

252 INDEX.

Leases, they arc the firit and greateft of all encouragement, 123

Rents grea;ly improved by means of them, ibid.

Liberal covenants recommended, — 124

Strong prejudices againft them, — ibid.

A land-owner owes iomething to fociety, 125

Unreaibnable to expect improvement without them, 126

Marl, its excellent qualities, — — 22
A hint for the fecond time of ufing it, — 23
Meadows, much neglefted, — — 50
An eafy way to improve them, — 51
Marshes, defcribed, — — — 52
Manufactures, def«rve feparate in veftigation, 146
Markets, the decline of them againlt the labourer and arti-
ficer, — — — 167

Navigation, its great advantages, — 17 and 18

An imports "

Colhoun,

great advantages, — 17 and 18

important hint upon this fubjedt from Mr.
-olhoun, — — 19

Orchards, very few* and thofe ill-managed, — 63

Oxen, but little ufed for labour, — — io*

Great advantage in working them, — 138

Proportions of thofe fatted, — ior

Their credit fully eftablifhed by Lord Hawke, 139

Good rules for managing them, 139 and 140

Population, of the great towns, — — 7

Of the whole county, — ~ ~

The moft ufeful fort, — — 5?

Increafed by inclofures, — 74

Its proportion to quantity of land, 82

Injured by little farms being let aiide, 133

Prospects, not extenfive, — — 12

Peat, advantages of it pointed out by Dr. Hinton, 26

Ploughing, the great eai'e with which it is done in this

county, — — 36

Practice of two joumies a day recommended, ibid.
The general method worth imitation in many

other parts of England, — 37

Advantages of mallow ploughing, in point of
keeping land clean and requiring a lefs quan-
tity of manure,. — — ibid.

Parks,

J-NDEX. 033

Parks, a hint for their improvement, — 53

Potatoes, cannot be too extenfively cultivated, 62

Peas, generally fown on lay-land, — ibid.

Plantations, pits and angles recommended, 87

Great encouragement from Mr. Marfham's

and Lord Walpole's fuccefs, 87 and 94.

Experiment to facilitate the growth of trees, 88
The Flemiih method defcribed, ibid.

The larch illuftrated by the ufes Mr. Berney

li3s put it to, — — 89

Beft time of cutting the larch, 90

Great extent of Mr. Coke's plantations, ibid.

His cuflom relative to the poor highly de-

ferving imitation, — ibid.

The aftonifhing thrift of Mr. Windham's

from feed, — — 91

Are a great comfort to cattle, 9*

improve and add to the foil, — 93

Thofe of Sir Wm. Jerningham's made with

great tafte, — — ibid,

Proof that they may be raifed in defiance of

the fea haze, — — 94.

Recommended to be made in a great body, 97

A method fometimes proper in parks, ibid.

Pinaster, an inftance of its quick growth, — 95

Pruning Trees, an infamous prattice, — 97

Pigs, not handfome but prolific, — — 106

Poultry, fuperlatively good, the turkies unrivalled ibid.

Piceons, diminiflied and for what caufe, — ibid.

Pollards, ufeful in repairs, — — 114.

Ploughs, well calculated for light lands, — 118

Provisions, dearnefs of, fuppofed to proceed in fome mea-

fure from the dropping of public markets,

133 and 134.
From not ufing more oxen and lefs horfes, and
the great incrcafc of horfes of luxury, 14s

eral price of them, 168 and 16^

POOR Ratcs, formerly fo light as to be no objefl to the

farmer, — — 15;

TIhj chief < .uuc of their incrcafe, 156

• Ji.Jmti* not < qua! to the grievance, ibid.

:vous in the e>es of the poor, 170

G g Poor Rates,

2$4 iKDEX.

Poor Rates, a principal reafon why they are Co high in local

iituations, — — 157

Commons rather increafe than leffen the rates, 158
Poor, principles to be kept alive in their minds, 170

A man worn out by labour has a juft claim for relief on

fociety, — — — 171

Social clubs deferve encouragement, — ibid.

Earl Harcourt's example highly deferving imitation, 171
Comfortable cottages a great encouragement, 173

Propriety of taxing the labour of the young to aid the
old and decrepid,- — — 175

Prejudice, mull be laid afide, or I (hall have written and the

reader will read in vain, — 151

Repair?, an error to build too extenfively, — ji«

Average expence, — — xn

The ufual materials, — — 11a

The well country mode of thatching ftrongly re-
commended, — — ibid.
Eflential to fix upon a proper fpot for building, 113
General rules worth oblerving, 113 and 114-
A praclke eftabliflied by me upon Mr. Anfon's and
Sir Philip Stephens's- eftates, — 116
ROADS, fuperibr to moft other counties, — 16
Compliment upon them by Charles FT. ibid.
River Weeds, an excellent manure for turnips, *4
Remt, has no fixed fcale, — — 57
Its neareft average, — 5&
R-pstinc Land, its iuppofed origin, — 66
A ridiculous cuftom, — 67
Rollers, the drill-roller defcribed, — — 119
An improvement upon broad-caft, but inferior to

dibbling, — — ibid.

A new inftrument defcribed, — 120

Reprehexsibxe Practice, of the poor cutting up com-
mons, — 188
Rabbits, very numerous, and in warrens very profitable, but

in plantations a great nuitance, — *°7

Situation and extent, — — 6

Surface,

INDEX. 235

Sopfacp, in general flat, — — ia

Soil, chiefly fand, — — — ib'ld-

In i'ome parts, however, mixed with clayey particles, 1 3
In another part ooze, >_ — 14

Sea-sand, how ufed for manure, _ — 24.

Sheep, the agile conftrudtion of a Norfolk ftieep peculiarly

adapted to the foil, — — IOi

The Leicefterfhire fort not calculated for the fold, 103

But ani'wer in parks and fmall incloi'ures, 10+

General profit upon them, — — J05

Stacking, ought to be more general, — IJ+

Spanish Chesnut, the beft-timber for building, «3

Straw, fliould be found by tenants, — JI5

Seeding, general practices refpedting it, 38 and 39

Swampy Land, great lofs fuftained by neglecting it, 53

Saint Foin, foil bed adapted to it, — 54 and 63

Great quantity planted by Mr. Coke, 63

Tempests, not lafting, — — 11

Tenures, fuppofed proportion in freehold, copyhold, and

church lands, — — 29

Advantages of inferior tenures, 30 and 31

Tursits, excellence of their hufbandry, — 39

To whom the country is indebted for their origi-
nal introduction, — —
Average quantity of a good crop, ibid.
Advantages on the aggregate almoft ineftimable, ibid.
Rules worth obferving in their culture, 41
Particular manures ufed in railing them by Mr.

Styleman, Mr. Coke, and Mr. Branthwaite, 41 & 42.

A hint to keep off too quick a fucceiiion, 43

Hoeing an effential part of their culture, ibid.

Cautions again ft the fly, — 44

Different mode of feeding cattle with them, 44 to 48

TUMBRILS, fliould be in more general nil-, — . 118

Tvthes, impartially considered, — — 153

Tlie clergy do not let them higher ir general than

lay-impropriators, — — 154

Seldom taken in kind, — 155

Yet they are difcouraging to agriculture, ibid.

Exemption toofhort upon (Veili cultivated landi ibi I.

Difficult to fettle an equiv dent for tl

1 KL't FUDGMI

236 INDEX.

True Judgment, in what it confifts, «- 19s

Vetch Bs, ftrongly recommended, — — . 61

Visionary Schemes lliould not be followed, 19a

Wheat, when fown upon one year's lay has only one plough-
ing, — — — 38
The old practice when fown on two years'1 lay, 38 & 39
Woods, not very extenfive, — — 86
Ufes to which the underwood is applied, ibid.
Waggons, the Norfolk waggon too heavy, — 118
The Berkfhire waggon recommended, 119
Wages, yearly and daily, — — 159
For different kinds of husbandry, 160 to 163

^LfiniQ^

000 018 279 0

e£S«ft§#£©®-«^^®@S8S;Stf«*»

ERRATA.

Jn p. 162, 1. 6, for u seventy" read seven.

p. 164, 1. 1, for " i8d. per bead" read i8d. each petson ptriveek.
p. 207, I. i9> for " acrue" read accrue.

Directions to tfjc IBtnUer,

Sketch of the County, to front the title.

Jhe Norfolk Plough, to face />. 36

Norfolk Ram, p. 106

Norfolk Hermaphrodite, and Beikmire Waggon, . . p. 1 19

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