72 



HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part I. 



Sect. IV. Present State of Agriculture in Holland and the Netherlands. 



417. The agriculture of the low countries, and especially of Flanders, has been cele- 

 brated by the rest of Europe for upwards of 600 years ; that of Holland for its 

 pasturage, and of the Netherlands for tillage. We shall notice a part of the agricultural 

 circumstances of the two countries. 



SuBSECT. 1. Present State of Agriculture in Holland. 



418. The climate of Holland is cold and moist. The surface of the country towards the 

 sea is low and marshy, and that of the interior sandy, and naturally barren. A considerable 

 part of Holland, indeed the chief part of the seven provinces comprising the country, 

 is lower than the sea, and is secured from inundation by immense embankments ; while 

 the internal water is delivered over these banks into the canals and drains leading to the 

 sea, by mills, commonly impelled by wind. In the province of Guelderland and other 

 internal parts, the waste grounds are extensive ; being overrun with broom and heath ; and 

 the soil a black sand. The marshes, morasses, and heaths, which are characteristic of the 

 different provinces, are, however, intermixed with cities, towns, villages, groves, gardens, 

 and meadows to a degree only equalled in England. There are no hills ; but only 

 gentle elevations, and no extensive woods ; but almost every where an intimate combi- 

 nation of land, water, and buildings. The soil in the low districts is a rich deep sandy 

 mud ; sometimes alluvial, but more frequently silicious, and mixed with rotten shells. 

 In a few places there are beds of decayed trees ; but no where rough gravel or rocks. 

 Tlie soil of the inland provinces is in general a brown or black sand, naturally poor, and 

 wherever it is productive, indebted entirely to art. 



419. The landed property of Holland is in moderate or rather small divisions, and in the 

 richer parts, generally in farms of from twenty to one hundred and fifty or two hundred 

 acres, often farmed by the proprietor. In the interior provinces, both estates and farms 

 are much larger ; and instances occur of farms of five hundred or seven hundred acres, 

 partly in tillage, and partly in wood and pasture. 



420. The agriculture of Holland is almost entirely confined to a system of pasturage 

 and dairy management for the production of butter and cheese ; the latter well known 

 in every part of the world. Almost the only objects of tillage are some madder, tobacco, 

 and herbage plants and roots for stall feeding the cattle. The pastures, and especially 

 the lower meadows, produce a coarse grass, but in great abundance. The cows are 

 allowed to graze at least a part of the day throughout the greater part of the year, but 

 are generally fed in sheds once a day or oftener, with rape cake, grains, and a great variety 

 of other preparations. Their manure is preserved with the greatest care, and the 

 animals themselves are kept perfectly clean. The breed is large, small legged, generally 

 red and white, with long, but small horns ; they are very well known in England as the 

 Dutch breed. The fuel used in Amsterdam and most of the towns is peat, and the 

 ashes are collected and sold at high prices, chiefly to the Flemings, but also to other 

 nations. A considerable quantity has been imported to England ; they are found ex- 

 cellent as a top dressing for clovers and other green crops, and are strongly recom- 

 mended by Sir John Sinclair and other writers. Other particulars of Dutch culture 

 and economy correspond with the practice of the Netherlands. 



421. The field implements, buildings, and operations of Holland, are more ingeniously 

 contrived and better executed than those of any other country on the Continent. The 

 best plough in the world (the Scotch plough) is derived from the Rotheram or Dutch 

 implement. The farmeries, and especially the cow-houses and stables, are remarkable 

 for arrangements which facilitate and economise manual labor, and ensure comfort to the 

 animals and general cleanliness. Even 

 the fences and gates are generally found 

 in a better state than in most other 

 countries. They have a simple field 

 gate [fig. 58.) constructed with few mils, 

 and balanced so as it may be opened 

 and shut without straining the posts or 

 hinges, and which deserves imitation. 

 Their bridges, foot-planks, and other 

 mechanical agents of culture, are in general indicative of more art and invention than is 

 usual in continental agriculture. 



