Arable Land 



sows an acre each of oats^ rye, and potatoes. The 

 ground is manured with seaweed brought from the 

 seaside, and is not enclosed in any way. The lean 

 cows, sheep, and the mare and foal which are running 

 free in the common pasture, are always endeavouring 

 to sample these crops, and the united efforts of all his 

 children, and of his many dogs, are required to keep 

 them away. 



The people are extremely poor, but there is some- 

 thing homely and attractive about the old-fashioned, 

 little two-roomed hovel, with its roof of straw held 

 down by ropes and stones. There is a kitchen-pen 

 for the cattle, and a snug place for the pig, beside the 

 fire of peats, which is in the centre of the hut, and on 

 the ground. 



Even in Devonshire one finds in Braunton Great 

 Field some sort of guide as to what was once a very 

 common system of agriculture. This field is said to 

 contain 365 acres subdivided into an enormous number 

 of little strips and plots held by different villagers. 



In former days there would be huge unenclosed 

 wastes or commons surrounding the village arable, 

 upon which the goats, sheep, cattle, and horses would 

 run half wild and without any attention. After harvest 

 they would probably be allowed to graze on the arable 

 land. This sort of agriculture exists more or less all 

 over Southern Europe. It is the system in Spain, where 

 one finds rich alluvials or vegas intensely and carefully 

 cultivated, but without any enclosures or hedges. The 

 cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, and mules are pastured on 

 the hills, which have been so much grazed and spoilt 

 by over-stocking that the food is of the most scanty 

 character. 



There are authorities, even to-day, who profess to 

 admire this venerable system of agriculture, which is 



252 



