122 THE BOOK OF DUCK DECOYS. 



known district for Decoys, and where, before the East and West Fens were 

 drained in the early years of the present century (1809), no less than 

 a dozen flourishing Decoys existed, and of which little trace now remains, 

 save one. This one is the oft-spoken-of Friskney Decoy, and the trustees 

 of the Booth estate at Friskney have recently purchased it in order to pre- 

 serve it, as far as possible, in its original state, as a memento of past times. 



Friskney Nciv Decoy, 4 miles SW. of Wainfleet, in the parish of 

 Friskney, and 3 miles from Wainfleet Railway Station. It was once one 

 of the best in the county, but has not been worked since 1878. 



This Decoy was in full work with six nets up to 1855, under John 

 Skelton, who succeeded Henry Skelton [see page 13). The average take 

 during the seasons previous to this date was 3 to 4 dozen birds a day, and 

 the best day's work was 300 to 400 fowl. In one year Skelton is once 

 said to have sold ^700 worth of birds. But as the land around became 

 cultivated, the Decoy declined, and so two nets were discontinued from 

 1855 to i860; after the latter date only three nets were used. In 1S60 

 John Skelton left the Decoy, and it was then worked by Mr. Crowe, whose 

 best take was 85 ducks in one day, and but 1,100 in one season (1S66). 



It appears, from White's " Directory," that in 1809 an Act was ob- 

 tained for embanking, enclosing, and draining the marshes around Friskney, 

 which were then generally flooded for six months in the year, and had 

 several extensive Decoys, in which upwards of 30,000 head of Duck, Teal, 

 and Wieeon have been taken in one season, and sent to the London 

 market. All but one of these Decoys (Friskney) have given place to 

 fertile corn-fields. 



The pool now being described consisted of an acre and a half, and 

 was surrounded by 14 acres of wood. It had formerly, as stated, six 

 pipes, but latterly only three, and is now no longer in working order; 

 though the outline of the pond is still plainly visible, some of the old 

 hoops and stakes being still to be seen. 



This Decoy was the original home of old George Skelton (senior), and 

 it was from here he emigrated to Norfolk, and taught the Norfolk Decoy- 

 men how to work and make Decoys of moderate size, in opposition to their 

 previous habit of attaching Decoy pipes to large broads and meres. How 

 well he succeeded is elsewhere shown (See IVinfcrfcn, Norfolk, and p. 11.) 



When the Friskney Marshes were drained at the beginning of the 



