( i67 ) 



CHAPTER THE SEVENTH. 



Cenure©. 



O. 



'NE very material error exifts in the prefent mode of 

 occupying farms throughout this county ; v/hich is that of one 

 perfon monopolizing feveral farms, and holding them as it is 

 termed, " off hand". Thefe farms lie frequently detached 

 and very w^ide of each other, and a looker or fuperintendant, 

 at ten or twelve fhillings per w^eek, occupies the ruins of the 

 old rnanfion or farm houfe, which was heretofore the feat of 

 hofpitality, induftrious emulation, or modeft virtue. In 

 the courfe of the tour, it was obferved, with much indif- 

 ference by an overgrown farmer's wife, •• that her hufband 

 had but nine farms in his occupation j" each of which 

 upon further enquiry was found to be equal to the care and 

 capital of the fame number of equally fkilful and refpec- 

 table, although perhaps not fuch wealthy and imperious 

 families. 



This pra£lice of confolidating, or rather fuffering one 

 perfon to occupy and monopolize, fo many dirtin£l farms, 

 is (without going into the queftion at large, which would 

 require too much room) whatever may be aflferted to the 

 contrary, fraught with more evil, and is more deftruitive to 

 the agricultural improvement and produce, and political in- 

 terefts of this country, than any other at prefent exifting, 

 and which cannot be done away, without the power and au- 

 -thority of Parliament. 



With 



