108 Afjr'iculturc of Durham. 



A very great impetus lias been given to the breeding of stock 

 in this county, of late years, by the laudable exertions of the 

 Agricultural Associations, Avhich are very numerous throughout 

 the county. The Durhain Agricultural Society holds annual 

 meetings, and offers prizes for the best bulls, of diffei-ent ages, 

 of the short-horned breed ; for the best cow in milk or calf ; for 

 Leicester sheep, black-faced sheep ; horses, the best blood stal- 

 lion, the best cart and the best Cleveland stallion ; for the best 

 mares for breeding, saddle, harness, and draught horses ; for 

 the liest foals of different ages, c^c, cScc. There are Societies at 

 Stanhope, Barnardcastle, Darlington, Staindrop, Stockton, and 

 other places, which offer similar premiums. 



Farm-Buildings. — In this county too many of the f^-m- 

 buildings are in a very indifferent state of repair, as well as in- 

 sufficient in size and unsuitable to the farm in their arrange- 

 inents. About fifty, or from that to one hundred years ago, 

 under the old system of farming, the buildings were generally 

 as poor as could well be imagined. Since then they have been 

 gradually getting into better condition, and much has been done 

 towards their impi'ovement, though they are still far from being 

 generally in a good state. I have now before me reports upon 

 47 farms on one estate, with detailed estimates of the cost of 

 repairs and additions required to the buildings, amounting to 

 the sum of 19,896/. : more than this was laid out upon them. 

 Besides the want of repair arising from age and neglect, the 

 principal cause of complaint was the insufficiency of the stabling 

 and byers, and their great Avant of ventilation. On many of the 

 farms stock could not be reared and preserved in that healthy 

 condition which was so requisite, in consequence of being 

 exposed to all the inclemencies of severe weather without 

 proper shelter. The principal improvements which have taken 

 place in the farm-buildings have been on the larger farms ; the 

 buildings on most of the small farms still remain in an unsatis- 

 factory condition. Out of 28 onsteads I have lately examined, 

 21 were reported upon as requiring alteration and repair. 



The chief alterations which have been adopted in modern 

 erections, or improvements, have been to procure — 



1. Additional accommodation for housing cattle, rendered 

 necessary by the greater number of cattle fed, and by the prefer- 

 ence now given by m»ny to stall-feeding over the ordinary mode 

 by pasturing. 



2. Superior ventilation and light in stables and byers. 



3. Tlie preserving of the stored crops of all kinds from 

 injury ; and 



4. The keeping of all manure produced on the premises in its 

 full quantity without waste. 



