182 Remarks in an Excursion into 
In consequence of the late high price of 
corn, much grass land had been converted 
into tillage ; and it is very unfortunate for this 
neighbourhood, that the land is, in general, 
of such a nature that itis not easy to return it 
to grass again. Very stiff as well as very light 
soils are liable to lose their young grass roots 
during winter, and hence there is great diffi- 
culty in replacing them. Few sheep are here 
to be seen, and the stock of cattle seemed a 
mixture of all sorts. The roads were rough 
but firm. Having the advantage of canal 
conveyance, and a considerable population, 
it is in every respect better fitted for a manu- 
facturing than a farming district. 
From Blackburn to Preston the ride is 
more interesting to the farmer, though little 
is to be learnt. The farm houses and cotta- 
ges appear more comfortable, and the crops 
of corn and potatoes seemed to improve in 
proportion to the higher quality of the land. 
Some good houses are to be seen from the 
road, with a fair proportion of well grown 
timber. We noticed another specimen of 
drill husbandry, but like the former, six 
weeks, at least, too late in sowing the tur- 
nips. 
We passed some very good upland mea- 
dows, and observed a few of the real Lan- 
