Book I. 



AGRICULTURE IN THE BRITISH ISLES. 



123 



maize. Tliey plough deep with six oxen, and never employ manure. They take a crop, 

 and leave the land to rest, alternately. The corn is trodden out by horses, and then 

 laid up in pits. Flax and hemp are sown for local manufacture. Newly broken up 

 lands are planted with cabbages, which grow to a great size. The vine is cultivated on 

 the southern declivities of hills, and the wine is said to equal that of Hungary. The mul- 

 berry is cultivated for the silkworm ; and forests are extensive on the mountains. The 

 common fruit trees are abundant, and an excellent variety of apple, called the doiniasca, 

 grows wild. The olive and fig are too delicate for the climate. 



760. But the pasture lands are the most valuable parts of these provinces. The oxen are 

 large and fleshy, and so numerous that they form a principal article of export to Russia, 

 Poland, and Germany. The buffalo thrives better here than in most parts of Europe ; 

 and is valued for its strength and milk. The sheep winter on the Danube, and pass the 

 summer on the Carpathian mountains ; their mutton is excellent, and the annual export- 

 ation of the wool into Germany is very considerable. There are various breeds of 

 horses ; they are brought up in great numbers, for the Austrian and Prussian cavalry. 

 They are well formed, spirited, docile, and remarkable for the soundness of their hoofs. 

 The carriage and draught horses are small but active, and capable of resisting fatigue. 

 They live in the open air in all seasons, though in winter they are often attacked by wolves. 

 Domestic fowls and game abound, especially hares. The honey and wine are of the finest 

 quality. One author (Carra) mentions a kind of green wax, which, being made into 

 tapers, diffuses an excellent perfume when lighted. Many of the cottages partake of the 

 Swiss character, and are more 

 picturesque than those of Hun- 

 gary or Russia. (Jig. 104 ) 



761. The poorest agriculture 

 in European Turkey is that of 

 Romelia, including the coun- 

 try round Constantinople. The 

 surface is hilly, and the soil dry 

 and stony, chiefly in pasture or 

 waste. " The capital of the 

 empire," Thornton observes, <*§§£ 

 " as the soil in its immediate 

 vicinity is barren and ungrateful, 

 receives from the neighbouring 

 villages, and from the sur- 

 rounding coasts of both the seas which it commands, all the culinary herbs and fruits of 

 excellent flavour, which the most fastidious appetites can require ; and from the Asiatic 

 coasts of the Black Sea, all materials necessary for fuel, or for the construction of sliips 

 and houses." 



Chap. V. 



Modern History and present State of Agriculture in the British Isles. 



762. Having, in the preceding chapter, brought down the history of British 

 agriculture to the revolution, we shall resume it at that period, and continue our view to 

 the present time. As this period may be considered the most interesting of the whole 

 series, we shall, for the sake of distinctness, arrange the matter under the separate sec- 

 tions of the political, professional, and literary history of agriculture in Britain, and sub- 

 mit a separate view of the progress and present state of agriculture in Ireland. 



Sect. I. Political History of Agriculture in Britain, from the Revolution in 1 668 to 



the present Time. 



763. That the agriculture and general prosperity of this country were greatly benefited by 

 the revolution is an undisputed point. That prosperity, as far as respects agriculture, has 

 been ascribed to the corn-laws then promulgated. " In 1670," a masterly writer on the 

 subject remarks, " exportation was permitted, whatever the price might be ; and im- 

 portation was virtually prohibited, by a duty of 16s. per quarter, when wheat did not 

 exceed 53s. 4d. ; of 8s. when above that, and not exceeding 80s. ; and when above 80s. 

 the duty of 5s. 4d., imposed by the act of 1663, continued to be payable. Still, how- 

 ever, as there was a duty payable on exportation ; and as importation, from some defect 



