3 . YORKSHIRE. 17 



BARLEY is new to the Diftrict; and it does 

 notfeem to be yet generally underftpod that 

 it ought to befown in autumn. 



In the open field ftate barley was grown in 

 the " wheat field," alternately with wheat. 



One circumftance refpeding the ancient 

 hufbandry of this crop deferves to be regif- 

 tered ; as it ferves to Ihew the alteration which 

 time has the power of making, even in the 

 bufmefs of hulbandmen. 



Lefs than a century ago, I believe, barley 

 was not faleable until it was MALTED. Pub- 

 lic malt-houfes, and the bufinefs of a maltfter, 

 were equally unknown : every farmer malted 

 bis own barky, or fold it to a neighbour who 

 had a MALT KILN ; an out office neceffary in 

 thofe days to every confiderable farm. 



The fuel ufed on this occafion was chiefly 

 brakes, cut off the neighbouring commons : 

 a certain day of cutting being fixt, to prevent 

 any man from monopolizing more than his 

 ftiare. 



When malted, it was faleable ; and the 

 furplusof the confumption of the neighbour- 

 hood found a market at Whitby, Scarbo- 

 rough, and other towns of the Diftn<5r.. 



VOL. II. C Now, 



