i8co. View of the Agriculture of Torkshire 293 



General View of the Agriculture of the West Riding of 



Yorkshire, 



(By a Gentleman in Yorkshire.) 

 Continued from p, 207. 



Having confidered the fird feven chapters of this work 

 with much attention, we now proceed to examine i*:s n^miin- 

 ing parts. Indeed, we can hirdly beftow too much p ins in 

 analyzing a performance which fo fully defcribes the agricul- 

 ture of a diftri£l: defervediy ranked as the firft in the kingdom. 



Chap 8. On Grafs, has feme remarks on the rich old paf- 

 tures of this Riding, particularly thofe in the diilrict of 

 Craven, many of which might be broken up for corn, to tlis 

 advantage of the community ; but it is nearly certain, that 

 little or nothing of that fort will be done during the con- 

 tinuance of the tithe fyftem. In the words of the author, 

 *' Before any of t*.efe rich fields can be broke up, the tithe 

 /yftem muft undergo a change ; ^% it would be a notable affair 

 for a tithe-holdtr to have a tenth of the weighty crops they 

 would produce. From refpe£lable authority, we learned, that 

 the payment of tithes was, in a great me ifure, the caufe of 

 laying thefe fields totally in grafs, and that this tax continues 

 to operate as a prohibitory relttid^ion againft breaking them 

 up." A pregnant proof, if proof be wanted, of the incal- 

 culable mifchiefs of this tax ; for a Vc^ trcafure of ufffui in- 

 duftry, and circulation of grain, and otiier producls ufeful to 

 man, are, by this fyftem, entirely locked up and loit to the 

 community, which might otherwife be brought forward, with- 

 out any diminution of the llock of cattle mainiainable on the 

 f.vme ground. In thefe feafons of fcarcity, borderii g on fa^ 

 mine, which, if the tithes continue as they are, mua be al- 

 moft periodical, can a warning voice be neccflary to roufii to 

 a fenfe of danger and duty, thofe who have the power to re- 

 medy this abufe ? 



An obf( rvation, in page i 18, will excite fome furprife — 

 " Clover by itfelf always makes bad hay :" Now, in many 

 parts of the country, clover is ever efteemed as moft valuable 

 fodder, at leaft for horfes, if not for all other cattle 



Chap. 1 1, liie inclofure of wafie and unimproved lands y is a- 

 gain more particularly recommended; and an excellent Scotifh 



D d 3 law 



