1 Aneta 
ting rid of the common rights over the lands, and 
of courfe the impoffibility of making much im- 
provement in their value, feem to be the principal 
reafons that very few manors have been diftnem- 
bered, and fold off among {mall freeholders. 
The refidence of fo many of the principal land- 
owners in the county, on account of its reputed 
good air, and its eligibility for fporting, has alfo 
contributed in a great degree to prevent any great 
difmemberment of property. 
STATE OF FARMS. 
. ‘Tue introdu€tion of the common-field hufban- 
dry feems to have been very flow and _ progreffive. 
The difperfed fituation and fmallnefs of the pieces 
of the common-field lands now in cultivation, evi- 
dently fhew that the occupiers began with tilling a 
fingle acre, (viz. one day’s work for a plough) or 
perhaps only half'anacre, each; and that as a want 
of corn increafed their cultivation, until they had 
cultivated all that was moft proper for that pur- 
pofe, ftill leaving thofe parts which were /e/s fit for 
the plough, or moft diflant from home, in a conftant 
ftate of commonage, but by mutual agreement 
keeping the cattle out of cultivated: parts till after 
harveft. 
This was the origin of common fields. 
By 
