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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



them. Indeed, so anxious are they for it, that wheu- 

 ever a vacancy occurs, numerous applications are sure to 

 pour in. No restriotion as to cultivation is imposed, 

 except such as ai-e common to the farmer. Some people 

 have an objection to cottagers being allowed to grow 

 wheat, but I cannot say that I have ever found any in- 

 convenience to have arisen from it. I see no reason 

 whatever why such a restriction should be imposed ; 

 for a crop of wheat is as much a change to the soil as 

 any other crop, and at times no doubt as profitable ; 

 while the straw comes for litter for the pig, and returns 

 to the ground in the shape of manure. It is not found 

 that the privilege is abused by excess of cropping; and 

 therefore the practice has not been prohibited. In every 

 parish on Lord de Grey's estate, where there are allot- 

 ments, a barn is provided for the use of these tenants 

 alone, for the purpose of thrashing, &c., and they gene- 

 rally agree pretty well among them.-elves, so that it is 

 seldom necessary to interfere with their arrangements as 

 to its use. The early promoters of the system seeoT to 

 have been very much prompted to it by a pressure 

 of the poor-rates. It was a very general impression 

 for a few years before the passing of the Poor Law 

 Amendment Act, in 1834, and indeed for some 

 time subsequently, that great relief would be 

 given to the rate-payers by the introduction of allot- 

 ments ; but I have not been able to learn that such was, 

 or has been, the case to a very great extent. That it 

 may have, and has had, a favourable effect in that direc- 

 tion I firmly believe, but I would not overrate it. I 

 would here notice a curious circumstance in connection 

 with this part of the subject, which occurred in a parish 

 with which I am acquainted. It contains about 650 in- 

 habitants, nearly all of whom would be engaged in the 

 cultivation of the soil ; and in consequence of so many 

 labourers being out of employ, the poor-rates at one 

 time amounted to nearly 16s. in the pound. In this 

 fearful state of things the largest occupier gave up his 

 farm, saying he could manage to pay his rent, but that 

 the rates would ruin him. A considerable portion of 

 his occupation was then let out to the labourers in par- 

 cels, varying from one to five and ten acres each. In a 

 few years the rates were considerably reduced ; but 

 whether this improved state of things was to be traced 

 to the division of the land as described, or to the opera- 

 tion of the new poor law, is a point which is yet open to 

 speculation ; for both causes, as well as one or two 

 others of a local nature, were in operation at the same 

 time. My own conviction is that to the legislative 

 enactment the credit principally belongs. The original 

 allottees were allowed to remain in possession of theij 

 land till they were removed by death, or became incapa- 

 ble of managing it ; but it was not considered good 

 policy to continue this system ; but rather, when one of 

 the little holdings became vacant, to divide it into allot- 

 ments of a rood each, thus affording land upon a sounder 

 principle, and providing for the necessities of greater 

 numbers. The rates are now about the same as 

 in the adjoining 'parishes similarly situated. There 

 may be a difference of opinion as to whether it be 

 more desirable that each man should have a [rarden of 



sufficient size for his wants ; or whether a piece of 

 ground should be set apart for the whole village, in the 

 shape of an allotment. Now we know, in many parishes, 

 the utter impossibility of getting garden-ground 

 attached to every cottage ; and therefore, as a rule, that 

 plan could not be relied upon ; and even if it could be, 

 the latter scheme offers advantages peculiarly its own. 

 They are, first, that a spirit of emulation is excited 

 when all are brought into a kind of friendly competi- 

 tion, as is the case in an allotment field. Labourers 

 are quick to discern successful cultivation, and to trace 

 its causes. If one man succeeds beyond the rest in 

 raising any particular crop, it will be sure to be noticed, 

 and the reason of it irquired into, and his system most 

 probably adopted. Every man has the advantage of 

 the experience of the whole field, and in general bene- 

 fits by it; whereas in a garden there are not those op- 

 portunities. How frequently does one see a garden 

 overrun with weeds, overgrown with trees, bushes, and 

 fences, absolutely excluding sun and air, and producing 

 next to nothing to the cultivator ! In an open field- 

 allotment, the sun and air are freely admitted ; the land 

 is more easily kept clean, and the state of cultivation 

 patent to all the neighbourhood. I believe example 

 has a strong influence in promoting good and clean 

 cultivation among all classes of occupiers. With a view 

 to encourage it amongst the allotment tenants of the 

 district, a society, called the " Silsoe and Arapt- 

 hill Labourers' Friend Society," was established 

 about seventeen years ago. It offers several prizes 

 annually for competition, and great interest is 

 excited among the exhibitors. This society is 

 under the patronage of Earl de Grey, and 

 has Lord Wensleydale as president ; while the stewards 

 consist entirely of tenant farmers, who thus evince their 

 sense of its usefulness. The subscribers comprise the 

 clergy and gentry of the neighbourhood, and the exhi- 

 bition is invariably fully attended. In fact, all classes 

 unite to promote the object it has in view ; and the re- 

 sult is an exhibition of fruits, vegetables, &c., that 

 would surprise any one who had never before witnessed 

 it. I believe this to be a most useful institution, and 

 where allotments prevail to any extent I would strongly 

 recommend the establishment of similar associations. 

 Some persona have an objection to prizes being offered 

 for length of service ; but I cannot conceive tliat any 

 opposition can be offered to the encouragement of good 

 cultivation, whether on a small scale or on a large 

 one. We all know it is the practice of some large pro- 

 prietors to offer premiums to be competed for by the 

 tenants on their estates — in some counties such pre- 

 miums are given by the agricultural societies. In either 

 instance the same effect is produced — honourable com- 

 petition among the larger occupiers. Why, then, should 

 not the smaller ones have similar inducements held out 

 to them ? Upon the latter part of my subject I have 

 little to say. The chief abuse of the system (to use the 

 word on the card) consists in giving the labourer more 

 land than he can manage consistently with his usual 

 occupation. Every scheme must be kept within due 

 bounds— every system must have a limit. To extend 



