204 lli'iu of the Agriculture of Torkjhlre. April 



paragraph is quoted, as containing information on this 

 lubjcdl, and that of the tithes,, not generally known : 



" Previous to tlic period wlicn the Reformallon took place 

 in England, the poor were fiipportcd at tl»e monalleries, and 

 ©ther houfes of the irregular clergy ; it being then underilood, 

 that this was one of the purpofes for which tithes were paid to 

 thefe houfes ; and, after the fupprcffion of the monalleries in 

 154^, great clamours enfued over the whole kingdon:i, in con- 

 feqnence of this fupport being withdrawn. The poor continued 

 in a deplorable Hate till the 43d year of Qneeii Elizabeth's 

 reign, when the laws for regulating their fupport were firlt en- 

 atted ; and, whatever were the motives which operated on the 

 winds of our Lcgiflators to enaft fuch laws, experience has 

 proved, that the falutary confequences which they expefted 

 from them have been totally unfounded. " 



Leafcs are ftrongly ►recommended : They are perhaps 

 elTential to real improvements, unlefs fome other fecuritv 

 could be devifed for the encouragement of the fpirited. 

 and well informed occupant. Of the effectual utility of 

 this mode of letting land, the prodigious improvements 

 made by the tenants on the Duke of Norfolk's eftate, at, 

 and in the vicinity of Slieffield, are adduced as inflances 

 in proof. Yet much may be faid on both fides : Perhaps 

 the land-owner is generally more a gainer by letting his 

 property on leafe, than he is aware of, every thing con- 

 fidered ; and let the tenant be cautious how he takes a 

 long leafe, at a high rent, and fubjeft to all increafing 

 taxes in " exiifing circumftancee. " The remarks on 

 covenants and reftri£lions in leafes are liberal and en- 

 lightened ; which having excited a difcuflion between^ 

 the editor and a gentleman of the diftri£f, we may ob- 

 serve, that the arguments of the former have a decided 

 fuperiority. * 



In chap. 5th, the ufual hnplements are examined, and 

 fome improvements are, with great judgement, fuggefled. 

 in ploughs, carts, &c. Light carts, for one or two horfes, 

 are recommended to attention, in lieu of the heavy lum- 

 bering tumbrils ufually drawn by three. The pradlice 

 of yoking horfes for ploughing in pairs, without drivers> 

 is commended and enforced ; but the Weft Riding is 

 too juftly accufed of glaring defefts in the conftru£tion 

 and management of their ploughs and wheel-carriages. 



This 



