365 On the prefent State and Alanagement of 0€c. 



TO THE CONDUCTORS OF THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



On the prefent State and Management of Common Fields and 

 Wajle Lands in Torkfhire. 



Gentlemen, 



The prefent (late and management of thefe lands, are little 

 favourable to an improved and liberal plan of cultivation. 

 The open fields are held by fo many owners, and in fuch 

 fmall patches, fcattered over an extenfive tra61:, at great dif- 

 tances from each other, that their cultivation is rendered ex- 

 tremely troublefome and expenfive ; added to the infuperable 

 obftacle to an improved rotation of crops, by the difcordant 

 humours of fo many holders, who can fcarcely ever be brought 

 to agree with their neighbours, upon any uniform plan of 

 management. 



The wafte or common lands in this county, are in a deplo-- 

 rable and moft difgraceful Hate j management is a perfedl: 

 nonentity here ; nine parts in ten of them are covered with 

 lufties, furze, fern, mofs, &c. ; and even where good herbage 

 exifts, it is for the real advantage of none, but the prey of 

 all. Where there is a Hint or limitation of pafture, accord- 

 ing to the refpedlive claims, the cafe is fomewhat better ; 

 there are even a few folitary inftanccs of tolerably ufeful com- 

 mon pailures ; on which, with proper care, every improve- 

 ment of the herbage might be made, {hort of cultivation by 

 the plough. 



Of the open fields, fomc, on the drier or turnip foils, arc 

 cultivated, in the regular courfe of, i. Turnips, eaten on the 

 ground by (heep. 2. Barley. 3. Clover, or Beans. 4. Wheat. 

 Thefe inftances of the good fenfe and good humour of the 

 occupants, concurring fo obvioully for their own benefit, 

 in a rational fyftem of management of thefe fields, are very 

 rare. Hence, the good farmer, having the mibfortune of 

 holding lands fo fituated, has, at times, the mortification of 

 finding his valuable crops of turnips, &c. liable to the de- 

 predations of cattle, from the fupinenefs of thofe who will 

 perhaps have a Summer- fallow in the fame field ; and who, 

 of courfe, do not feel themfelves interefted in repairing the 

 fences for that year. Hence, the motley llripes of turnips, 

 fallow, beans, clover, wheat, barley, and oats, at once in the 

 fame field, garnilhed with a vaviety and profufion of field- 

 flov/srs and noxious weeds, to the manifcilinjury of the whole 



body 



