AGRICULTURE 



It was important to keep a good proportion in numbers between the 

 mowers and the haymakers, so that this sequence of operations could be 

 strictly maintained. The process was made as systematic as possible, 

 from grass, single wind-rows, small cocks, straddles, double wind-rows, 

 medium cocks, straddles again, large cocks to the stacks M themselves. 

 Apparently this method was followed with good results, as hay at this 

 period was found profitable in Middlesex, and the area used for hay was 

 increasing. 



Horses were not bred in the county, but were bought at fairs, and 

 the standard required was a high one. 



The draught-horses in general, in possession of the brewers and carmen, are 

 as to strength and figure, scarcely to be equalled. The brewers' and carmen's horses 

 are fed with grains, clover, chaff, and beans ; racked with rye-grass, and clover, and 

 broad clover hay of the best quality ; and in summer it is not uncommon to feed 

 them with green tares and clover. Many of the saddle and coach horses are bred in 

 Yorkshire, and brought up from thence and from other counties by the dealers. 

 These horses are fed with meadow hay only. 23 



Foot considered Middlesex to be less noted for sheep than for horses; 

 6,000 were kept on Hounslow Heath, but with this exception the 

 numbers were small. The hay-farmers round Hendon and Barnet 

 allowed sheep and cattle to feed on their after-grass at so much per head. 

 There is a long account of experiments in breeding Spanish sheep which 

 might produce as fine a cloth as that imported. In raising lambs under 

 cover for the butcher, ewes were obtained from Dorset. 34 



Oxen were sometimes used for draught or the plough, a custom 

 which this author (unlike some others of the time) looked upon as likely 

 to prevail. He says, ' Five oxen are used to draw a wagon on the road, 

 one in the shafts, and four in pairs, with collars or holsters, and head- 

 stalls. At plough two pair are used ; at dung-cart three oxen only arc 

 used.' 28 Calves were raised in the western parts of the county, but not 

 to any great extent. 



Before going on to the subject of cow-keeping and dairies, Foot 

 now returns to the subject of commons. He describes the common 

 meadows 3t and their capabilities. Those near the Lea were under 

 Lammas tenure, which did not admit of ' any general system ' of culti- 

 vation. They were let for 2$s. per acre, but if inclosed the rent would 

 have been 40^. per acre. The meadows near the Thames from Fulham 

 to Chiswick and Staines were much flooded, and the rushes made it 

 difficult to get good hay there. They were also too flat for ordinary 

 drainage, and therefore became soft. The meadows on the banks of the 

 Colne were more fertile, and here the drainage was better. 



The common arable lands are said to be ' at present in a good 

 course of husbandry ' S7 ; though if inclosed they might have been made 

 more profitable. 



* ' There are no hay-stacks when finished that are so well secured and nicely formed as those 

 in Middlesex ' ; ibid. 57. 



13 Ibid. 59. " Ibid. 60 et seq. " Ibid. 67. 



16 Ibid. 69 et seq. " Ibid. 72. 



211 



