322 Farming of Leicestershire. 



of the farmer to an extent commensurate with the spirit, skill, 

 a.nd liberality exhibited in his management. 



ClIAKNWOOD FOKEST. 



About the centre of this Division, at the outcrop of the igneous 

 rocks, is situated Cliarnwood Forest, which may be termed 

 the mountainous district of the county. It contains about 

 18,000 acres, and lies between Leicester, Loughborough, and 

 Ashby-de-la-Zouch, extending to within four or five miles of 

 each of these towns. 



Formerly this large tract was common land, and compara- 

 tively waste. Pitt records Bake well's opinion of it, "that it was 

 actually a loss to those who had exercised the privilege of turn- 

 ing stock upon it, and argued that if one man turned his cow on 

 it in the spring, and another man at the same time turned his 

 cow into a farmer's enclosure, and paid him \s. 6rf. per week for 

 the keep, both being of the same value, and both being driven to 

 the market at Michaelmas, the difference of price would more 

 than repay the expense of the keep ; and that in the case of 

 sheep, the difference would even be greater." 



An Act of Parliament for its enclosure was obtained in 1808, 

 but the award for its allotment was not signed till 1829. With 

 the exception of some 400 or 500 acres, it has been reclaimed, 

 and fenced, and cultivated. 



The soil varies from a light peaty variety to a friable red 

 loam, stones being more or less interspersed with it ; and though 

 some of the poorest land in the county may be found here, yet 

 the improvement effected since Pitt's survey has been very great, 

 and the value of the district generally has been increased not less 

 than fourfold. 



Owing to the great quantity of stones Avith which the surface 

 abounded, the expense of drainage and reclamation was very 

 great, varying from 10/. to 20/. per acre. 



The modus operandi of reclamation has been to plough, 

 where not too strong, or to turn over Avith spade and pick. For 

 the latter generally two men work together, " nicking " about 

 a yard in length and 18 inches in width of turf, turning it 

 over, getting out the stones, and then throwing the soil on the 

 top. 



Mr. Shield, of One Barrow Lodge, who farms on 21 years' 

 lease, has reclaimed during the last few years upwards of 70 

 acres, besides improving much that had previously been badly 

 done. 



For this purpose he had a huge plough made of oak, banded 

 with iron, to which he attached eight horses. Three, and some- 



