of the Waste Lands of the Kingdom. 205 
average, it has been ascertained, that three men and two women 
or girls, (being about the proportion of the two sexes employed 
in nursery ground,) taking the year round, will work about ten 
statute acres, in the proportion of about 23 acres for a man, and 
14 acre for awoman. But a nursery, in all its operations, takes 
a great deal more work than ground for agricultural purposes, in 
which, he thinks, a man. may be able to cultivate five acres in a 
year. 
At the rate for digging in the neighbourhood of Newcastle, a man 
may earn two shillings per day, and the five acres may be done 
in §2i days. The same period of time will be required for ma- 
nuring, sowing and planting his crops, and 148 days may be em- 
ployed in hoeing, weeding, and other operations, making in all 
313 working days in the year. The whole may be done, without 
any improper degree of exertion, by a man of medium strength. 
The profits derived from spade-husbandry are certainly very 
considerable. By transplanting wheat, there is a great saving of 
seed, and the ground being in perfect order, from the superior 
culture it has received, the increase is great. The average pro- 
duce of wheat, in England, is only at the rate of twenty bushels 
per acre,—whereas Mr. Falla finds, that trenched land will yield 
more than double.. But, supposing the produce to be only forty 
bushels, at 10s. per bushel, that would amount to 20/. per acre, 
and after amply indemnifying every possible expense, would pro- 
duce a large profit. The crops,of potatoes, carrots, flax, hemp, 
Swecish turnips, and other articles raised by spade-husbandry, 
would likewise be very great. The use of the plough was cer- 
tainly an immense improvement when first introduced ; and it 
must always be applicable to a very large proportion of a country, 
owing to the scarcity of hands. The advantages derived from it, 
however, were formerly more considerable, when horses were 
bought for a trifle, and when their provender was cheap; but since 
their price has become so great, and their maintenance so very 
high, it is evident that the expense of horse and of manual labour 
more nearly approach each other. To bring land into a state for 
cultivation, trenching will require perhaps 5/. and even upwards 
per acre; but to carry on its cultivation afterwards may be done, 
even in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, at from 50s. to 60s. 
per acre; the ploughing of which would cost from 15s. to 20s. ; 
but once digging is considered to be equal to two ploughings, 
consequently the difference of expense is not so material, while 
the produce is double, and in some cases, more than one crop may 
be obtained in the same year. 
There can be no doubt, therefore, that the manual labour may 
be advantageously employed in the cultivation of the soil. 
_ 2, What is the probable number of persons maintained by the 
poor- 
