[ *9 ] 



and grazing, which can neither impoverish nor exhaust the soil, 

 the rich and beautiful complexion of the surface so gratifying to 

 the eye during the greatest part of the year, his reluctance to build 

 or enlarge barns, stalls, &c. The frequency of moduses for cow 

 white, the easy rate of agistment, and the other vicarial tythes, 

 with his rooted aversion to the payment of corn tythes in kind or by 

 exorbitant composition, the smallnessof many of the farms, and lastly 

 his dread of innovation on the accustomed practice of his neigh- 

 bourhood, all concur to diminish the quantity of arable land. It 

 must be admitted that farms under 100I. per annum might not bear 

 the expence of suitable buildings, to accommodate the plan here 

 suggested ; but since this, on every scale, would be proportioned to 

 the size of the farm, the advance of the rent, exclusive of interest 

 in money expended thereon, would secure to the landlord an aug- 

 mentation of income deserving his notice. With respect to tythes- 

 the tenant would readily submit to the encreased amount, and 

 would find more than adequate compensation in the abundance of 

 his crops, and the moderate expences of tillage. Yet so revolt- 

 ing is this tax in the full extent and rigor of its application, as to 

 induce the land owner and tenant to forego a positive advantage 

 rather than comply with its exactions. 



In the parish of Kilmersdon there is a species of soil usual- 

 ly called a freestone grit, of a light brown color, stiff, clayey, 

 and abounding in stone. Underneath at various depths is to be 

 found a blue marie, which, on repeated trials, has not hitherto 

 been known to communicate any improvement. "This marie is not 

 readily soluble when exposed to the air ; but retains its clay-like 

 quality, which renders it unfit either to pervade, or incorporate with 

 the soil. These lands are sometimes devoted to tillage ; but are 

 soon exhausted, and left to poverty and rest for seven or eight 

 years ; when a similar course of management is resumed. Present 

 value from five to six shillings per acre. 



COURSE OF CROPS. 



l st Year — Lay broke up in the spring. 



Summer fallow. 

 2d Year — Wheat sown early in October, 



Produce 12 bushels per acre. 



E 3d Year 



