12i A HISTORY OF LONGEIDGE. [Chap. 5. 



A thrasher got 4d. a day. The value of women's labour was even 

 less than it is now. Walkden's wife ashed 1 2d. a week, but ultimately 

 agreed to tale 9d. a week ! Horse labour was 6d. a day. 



The honest and God-fearing parson was no teetotaler. He enjoyed 

 a glass of ale, which he found refreshing. The diary abounds in 

 notes like the following: — "After service I paid 2d. for ale, a penny 

 dinner, a penny tobacco, and a penny for my mare." 



In a country like this it is very ill judged to have a farm contain a whole country. 

 I would divide them into small parcels anywhere from £3 to i320 per aimum. Milk and 

 butter are the chief articles wanted there, which are got ^vithout losing much sweat, 

 and too often suits the constitution, or at least the inclination of Manufacturers. On 

 small farms the land is better managed, the rent better paid, and I'm confident the land* 

 lord's bag will weigh heavier at the rent day. Some will say there are more buildings 

 to maintain, and it is credit.ible for a gentleman to say what a large farm he has. But 

 I think now a days the greatest credit lies in making the most money of an estate. — 

 " Transcript of a Valuation Book, circa 1799," on the fly leaf of which is written in 

 pencil, " By Mr. Bootle's Steward."' (1871 edit.) 



From a series of old farming diaries (kindly lent me by Mrs. Stoddert, 

 of WUpshire) kept by the late Mr. E. Dunderdale, of Wheatley, 

 Thornley, I have been enabled to gather some interesting notes about 

 the state of agriculture in this district, during the early part of the 

 nineteenth century. 



"In 1816, Cattle Fairs at Longridge, May 13, Nov. 5: homed 

 cattle and horses. 



" Begun shearing on 7th Oct., ended on the 26th Oct. Very late 

 harvest and abundance of rain this year. 2 acres of corn to clear at 

 Daub HaU, Nov. 12th. "We had done houseing Nov. 14th. Two 

 times a thickness of snow on the Hatlocks. MeaU £3 10s. Od. per 

 load this month (Dec). Flower (flour) unsound in general. Old 

 wheat 4d. per windle. Riots at London. 



" 1820. Feb. 26. Begun ploughing in peagraves. Begun hay- 

 time this year on 5th July. Done 22nd inst. Begun shearing let 

 Sept., done 16th inst. Milk cows laid in on 2l8t Octr. List of Fairs : 

 Longridge, Mar. 16, April 16, Nov. 5. 



" 1822. — Young beasts laid out 27th AprU. Milk cows laid out 

 16th May; horses on 23rd May. Begun hay-time July 6th, done 

 Aug. 5th. A deal of rain this hay-time. 



'C'rostons " History of Samlesbury." 



