G L O S T E R. 217 



There are great trafts of bog in the county; 

 and 153,000 acres that pay county charges; 

 170,000 acres at 155. and 30,000 of bog. The 

 rife of rents fmce 1750, more than two-thirds, 

 but are much fallen fince 1772, in many farms 

 45. in the pound. 



Eftates through the county are remarkably 

 divided 5 and are in general fmall. The fize 

 of farms varies much, 600 acres are a very 

 large one; ufually not lefs than 100; very few 

 in partnerfhip. There are many farms with- 

 out buildings, which if divided and built, would 

 let much better. The arable fyftem, when 

 burning is permitted, is to plough in the fpring, 

 very thin, then crofs cut it and burn the fod as 

 ibon as the feafon ferves, which will be fome 

 time in June> plough in the afhes very light- 

 ly, and fow turnips ; thefe they never hoe, 

 which is faid to be difficult, on account of the 

 number of ftones ; they feed the crop on the 

 land with three-year old wethers or lambs. 

 After this, plough it up and fallow for a fe- 

 cond crop of turnips, which they manage as 

 the firft, but feed them earlier ; then plough 

 once, and fet it to the poor for potatoes, at 61. 

 6s. to 61. i os. an acre, after which they fow 

 bere upon one ploughing; this they fucceed 

 with wheat alfo on one ploughing; and after the 

 wheat, oats. Then they fummer and winter 

 fallow, which is followed by wheat and oats as 

 before; but by this time the land is quite ex- 

 haufted. A partial burning is fometimes ufed, 

 which is to break up in November, and plough 



twice 



