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beans, potatoes^ <5cc. and in the month of August with cucumbers 

 by cartloads; these they raise on hillocks, under which is placed 

 about two bushels of horse dang, collected in King's Sedgmoor by 

 children, and brought to their gardens on the backs of, or drawn 

 in carts by, asses. 



There is a large market held every three weeks at Somerton 

 during the summer months, and to it, is brought an immense num- 

 ber of sheep, principally of the Dorset breed, together with oxen 

 and other cattle ; these are purchased by graziers occupying the 

 rich grass lands of the county. 



On the summit of Polden Hill the corn land is for the most part 

 in common field, and under the following course of husbandry, 

 wheat, beans, fallow. The general produce of wheat twelve 

 bushels per acre, and of beans the same ; very little barley or 

 oats ; but in the inclosed fields, clover and vetches thrive exceed- 

 ingly ; and if the farmers were to have more of these articles, and 

 plough less, they would find their account in so doing, for nothing 

 will bring a farmer to poverty, so soon as poor corn land. 



From the nature of the stone on the surface, as well as from some 

 trials lately made with the borer, I have reason to think that on 

 the northern declivity of Polden Hill, may be found a vein of marl 

 which passes through the parishes of Cossington, Chilton, Ed- 

 dington, Catcott, Shapwick, and Ashcott, and from thence ex- 

 tends to Butleigh and Kingsweston. Should it prove of good qua- 

 lity, the discovery will be highly important, and be the means of 

 advancing the lands to treble their present value. This marl has 

 been tried at Butleigh and Kingsweston, and I believe with suc- 

 cess. It is not improbable that the same vein extends to Yarling- 

 ton, near Castle Cary, where it has been dug and used with great 

 advantage by J. Rogers, Esq. whose improvements both in agri- 

 culture and planting are very meritorious. 



I cannot pass over this neighbourhood without noticing the plea- 

 sant and fertile parish of Castle Cary, which both in respect to 

 soil, and climate, cannot well be excelled. I could wish some 

 spirited agriculturist would here try, whether the exclusive power 

 of growing good hops, is confined to Hants, Kent, and a few other 

 counties. The luxriancy of the wild hop, the richness and depth 

 of the soil, the mildness of climature, and the security from 

 2 violent 



