On the In?2?roveme7its in TVest Norfolk. 7 



been convinced by the information which he had received from 

 the best practical farmers with whom he was in communication, 

 that a better course of cropphig would be greatly to the benefit of 

 the occupying" tenant, while it would permanently improve the 

 value of his estate, determined to introduce covenants as to the 

 mode of cultivation into all the leases which he granted. Al- 

 though in the first instance the covenant only prevented the tenant 

 from growing more than two crops of white grain in succession, 

 yet so great was the ignorance of the farmers, that he met with 

 great difficulty in enforcing even this very modified improvement 

 of the old system. 



At last, however, he succeeded. The effect even of this altera- 

 tion was such, that it proved how disadvantageous to all parties 

 the old system had been ; and upon the late Mr. Overman taking 

 a farm of Lord Leicester, he was allowed to draw the covenants 

 of the lease himself. He then inserted the modern improved 

 course of cropping well known as that best adapted to light 

 turnip lands. This lease has been the model on which Lord 

 Leicester's leases have since been drawn, making of course any 

 changes which the peculiar nature of each farm may require. 

 The tenants make no difficulty now about agreeing to adopt the 

 covenants inserted in their leases. The able and skilful farmers 

 whom Lord Leicester has been enabled to collect around him 

 know full well that the course of husbandry enforced by the 

 covenants in their leases, while it is the most advantageous for 

 the improvement of the property of their landlord, is the most 

 profitable for themselves. 



I have thus, in an imperfect and superficial manner, stated the 

 course of the improvements which have taken place in West 

 Norfolk. The results are, as I stated in the beginning of this 

 Paper, most interesting and important ; the means by which they 

 were brought about very simple and plain, and at first sight appa- 

 rently inadequate to have produced such effects. As the first of these 

 means, I would put the circumstance of a man in Lord Leicester's 

 station applying himself practically to agriculture, and giving an 

 example by his own practice of what might be effected by the skil- 

 ful application of resources within the reach of all farmers of 

 ordinary capital. But this example would have had but small 

 effect had it not been for the periodical assemblage of men of in- 

 telligence, of practical experience, and of enlightened views, to 

 compare the results of their various systems, to discuss their 

 respective merits, and to criticise their respective defects. This 

 assemblage took place at the Holkham sheep-shearing : Lord 

 Leicester was there ready to try any experiments the probable 

 result of which was likely to be advantageous ; he was ready to 

 listen to any suggestions, and to report upon the results at some 



