r 47 i 



which the improved husbandry of the last twenty years has sug- 

 gessed, and which is gradually extending to the mutual interest, 

 and satisfaction of landlord and tenant, it must be evident, that the 

 land under a term of 14 or 21 years, cannot sustain the least injury. 

 By the preceding observations, I trust the propriety and ad- 

 vantage of buildings, erected on a scale of Mendip inclosure of 100 

 acres, and upwards, are fully established to the conviction of every 

 unbiassed mind. Under this statement, what plan of management 

 should be adopted for smaller inclosures ? Separate occupation, at 

 a distance from the barton and farm yard, by theexpence of carting, 

 so as to preclude the return of produce in dung, must necessarily 

 impoverish. Must inclosures of this description then be abandoned 

 to the fate of a wretched and ruinous husbandry ? By no means. 

 A remedy as a palliative, if not wholly effectual, may be found. 

 In the greater part of Mendip inclosures, either by allotment, or 

 purchase, or both, a sufficient portion of land has been vested in an 

 individual, to induce the necessity of building, with local residence 

 and occupation of the farmer. The smaller inclosures should be let 

 to the tenant or tenants of these farms, for the same term, and sub- 

 ject to the same covenants and restrictions, under which such farms 

 are respectively held, with however a proportionate abatement of 

 rent, byway of an equivalent for the want of buildings. If the 

 lands with the latter, be rented at one pound per acre, the former 

 should at fifteen shillings, or at most at sixteen shillings ; and if 

 either price be obtained, smaller inclosures would be provided for, 

 on a footing without buildings, equally, if not more advantageous 

 than larger, with them. Perhaps it may be objected to this plan, 

 that by such additions, Mendip farms would become too extensive, 

 and unwieldy for general occupation. Under an improved system 

 of management, it is now well known, that the most profitable de- 

 stination of these farms, must be with little variation, to corn and 

 sheep ; and for these purposes, it is no less obvious, that farms can- 

 not be well too large, provided tenants can be found of sufficient 

 ability and capital to occupy. This at first may create some diffi- 

 culty and inconvenience, in letting to farmers in a neighbourhood 

 where the largest farms seldom exceed 200I. per annum. This 

 however can only be temporary ; since the quality of the soil, and the 

 situation are favourable to corn, and sheep, and begin to attract the 



G 2 notice 



