A'jriculturc of Durham. 119 



with a <Tentieman who farms in the nei2;hbourhoocI of Gateshead ; 

 he tells me that his farm averages 3/. 155. an acre, the taxes 

 amountin!^' to another 1/. : and that another farm adjoining to his 

 being to let, he was asked to take it, and offered 21. an acre, on 

 condition that it should be 'drained. " No," replied the agent 



immediately, " jMr. 7ieve7' icill drain those leasehold lands." 



Here was at once a proof of the injury done to agriculture in 

 Durham by the existence of this property, in which nobody feels 

 possessed of any pei'manent interest, 



Tlie lessee has no encouragement to improve ; for, though he 

 possessed a lease, he knew that upon his expending money on 

 the property he would (upon the next renewal) have to pay over 

 again for his own improvements in the shape of an increased 

 fine, fixed from the annual value of the property after the im- 

 provements are added. 



In the case just alluded to, the lands being near to a large and 

 rapidly-increasing town, could, on being drained, have been 

 easily raised to the value of 4/, per acre, and now they cannot 

 be let for 21. Surely no further proof is required of the great 

 advantage likely to accrue from the enfranchisement of this 

 property. 



2. Tlie extension of the draining operations, so as to include 

 not only the tillage lands, but all those held with them, which are 

 in permanent grass. 



3. The improvement of the permanent meadows and pastures 

 after drainin/j by ploughing out large portions now badly laid 

 away, taking care that a sufficient quantity is laid down in lieu 

 thereof. 



4. Tlie extension of the plan of Stall-feeding Cattle. — By this 

 method a great deal more stock can be fed on the farms than by 

 pasturing. There is a quicker turning over of the farmer's 

 capital. By an increased stock, and by the purchase of linseed, 

 oil-cako, and other food not produced on the farm, the quantity 

 of manure as well as its quality, is greatly increased ; and con- 

 sequently, the farmer is able to bring his lands into a richer 

 state. 



All that is necessary to accomplish the general adoption of 

 this plan is the draininr/, by wliich turnips will be produced ; and 

 a little addition to the farm-buildings. From all the information 

 I have received I h.ave not the sliadow of a doubt of its being 

 pn)n table to the tenant, and therefore of advantage to the land- 

 lord too. 



5. The planting of a large quantity of land in various dis- 

 tricts. — I should, according to proper order, have referred to this 

 before : I left it until now, because I had much to say upon it, 

 but it should foUow, and I liave no (loul)t icould follow, imino- 



