COUNTRY MANSIONS. 353 



cavalry horses.* When we take this into consideration, and also the benefits 

 which agriculture is capable of receiving from its operators possessing some 

 knowledge of natural philosophj', natural history, and chemistry, our readers 

 will, we think, readily allow that farming, in all its branches, is likely soon to 

 become as little debasing a pursuit as gardening. The essential reason why 

 the English ploughmen are, as a body, so very far inferior to the labmiring 

 mechanics is, that the ploughman, while he enjoys exuberant health and 

 vigour of body, has comparatively no mental exercise, either during his work 

 or during his hours of leisure ; the mechanic, on the other hand, requires 

 much more intellect even to exercise his business ; and, in his leisure hours, 

 from his mind being comparatively cvdtivated, he can amuse himself with 

 books. His mind, in fact, gets so strong from constant exercise, that it is 

 continually craving for food. We have made this digression in favour of 

 farming, because the pursuit ranks high, in our estimation, as a source of 

 useful occupation to emigrants, and to proprietor:"> who farm their own lands ; 

 and also as a source of healthful recreation and rational interest to the 

 retired citizen who possesses what we have called a country mansion and 

 farm. 



430. Situation of the farm. — The part of a large country villa residence 

 which is to be cultivated as a farm, will be most conveniently situated when 

 it adjoins the park on one side, and when the farm buildings are placed cen- 

 trally to the lands, and, at the same time, not far from tlie mansion and 

 offices. However, in amateur farming, when on a small scale, there is no 

 great objection to the fields which are subjected to the plough lying round 

 the park, or, perhaps, at a short distance from it. In many cases, particu- 

 larly where the park is large, and the soil a loam that admits of being 

 readily converted from arable land to pasture, and the contrary, a part of 

 the park may be kept under the jilough. This part should lie towards the 

 confines of the park, and it should be changed from time to time, by breaking 

 up a fresh surface, and laying down in pasture what had been for some few 

 years under the plough. In short, all the park, except twenty or thirty 

 acres adjoining the house, pleasure-groimds, domestic offices, kitchen-garden, 

 &c., may be subjected, in turn, to the convertible husbandry ; and, in our 

 opinion, should be so wherever the soil will permit, and the object is to 

 create as great an interest as possible within the park. Some inconvenience 

 may result from the single trees and small groups scattered over the park, 

 impeding the operation of ploughing, harrowing, &c., when that portion of 

 the park is in aration ; but these inconveniences are unavoidable : and it must 

 be recollected that the object of this kind of farming is not mere profit, but 

 recreation, combined with useful produce, as well as with picturesque beauty. 



* " The principal object in tlie treatment of young horses is, to render them docile ; and 

 the same gentle means are now used for that purpose, which are found to answer best in 

 the trea|ment of children. They are rendered quiet and tractable by frequently patting, 

 handling, and rubbing them, and taldng up their feet. They are led about the barrack- 

 yard to accustom them to the sight of mounted horses, and to the glitter of arms ; and, in 

 the course of four or five months afterwards, they are transferred to the riding-school to be 

 trained. The good old plan, like that preferred by our ancestors for teaching boys Latin 

 and Greek, was, to whip all fear and shyness out of them ; but kindness and common 

 sense have at last gained the ascendency, to the great delight of the organs of sensation, 

 both in boys and horses." (Education. &c., of Cavalry Horses in Britain; by Mr. Marshall, 

 Assisttmt Surgeon to the 1th Dragoon Guards: in the Edin. Med. and Surg. Journal-, for 1838). 



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