Of Stabiles. 375 



fly in turnips, for they are either destroyed by the fire and 

 smoke, or driven out of the field. 



In Derbyshire, a paring plough is used, for wheat and 

 other stubbles, by which the roots of the corn and weeds 

 are cut ; the ground is then harrowed and raked, and all the 

 stuff thus collected, is carried home to be spread in the bot- 

 tom of the fold-yard, and trodden into muck. By this ope- 

 ration, not only is the quantity of dung increased, but the 

 seeds of the weeds are brought to vegetate on the stubble 

 land thus cleared, and are easily got rid of ( Z44 ). 



In Kent, there is a practice similar to the above, that of 

 shimming the stubble of beans with a plough, having a very 

 broad share, as a preparation for wheat. The weeds and 

 roots cut by this implement, are afterwards harrowed out, 

 and either burnt on the ground, or carried to the compost 

 dunghill. The same cleansing process, is likewise applied 

 to wheat stubbles, as a preparation for pulse and other crops. 

 This operation is very useful for clearing the soil from sur- 

 face-weeds, especially those of a trailing or creeping growth, 

 and for bringing the seeds of weeds, which lie upon or near 

 the surface, into a state of vegetation, and capable of being 

 destroyed (* 45 ). 



SECT. XXVI. Of Gleaning. 



THE origin of gleaning is of great antiquity. Formerly, 

 when the practice was under proper regulations, it was at- 

 tended with profit to the industrious poor, without occasion- 

 ing any particular injury to the occupier. Each farmer, in 

 ancient times, had his particular set of gleaning retainers, 

 who assisted him in the labours of the harvest, and they 

 were indulged with the perquisite of gleaning, after the corn 

 had been gathered. This tended to excite, and to preserve, 

 a mutual attachment between the two classes (* 45 ). 



But this privilege came to be abused. Persons who had 

 given no assistance to the farmer, nay, who resided in other 

 parishes, presumed to glean, not only among the sheaves, 

 but too often from them, conducting themselves in so disor- 

 derly a manner, as to occasion perpetual disputes. The 

 mischief which this gave rise to, was often great, particularly 

 in the common field system, where the loss incurred has 

 been calculated as high as 30 per cent. (* 47 ). To avoid such 

 depredations, the wheat crop was often cut too late, and 

 carried home too quickly, because the farmer dared not 

 trust it in the field, while the poor were perpetually among 



