CHAPTER VIII 



CULTIVATED LAND : CULTURE ASSOCIATIONS 



Origin of the cultivated land. Nature of the cultivated land. Permanent 

 pasture. The arable land. Plantations. Afforestation. Utilization 

 of the peat-moors. 



Origin of the Cultivated Land 



The whole of the land now fenced and under cultivation 

 was, of course, originally occupied by spontaneous plant asso- 

 ciations. Of these, those that once covered the land now 

 cultivated were in all probability of the nature of woodland 

 in prehistoric and even in early historic times. 



Most of the land below about 900 feet (274 m.) has been 

 cultivated for many centuries ; but there is historical evidence 

 which shows that, during the last century and a half, con- 

 siderable intakes at altitudes up to about 1500 feet (457 m.) 

 have taken place. Whilst the process of reclamation is, to 

 a slight extent, still proceeding, the modem attempts in this 

 direction are of a local and intermittent character. These 

 attempts are nearly all made at the expense of grassland or 

 the lower fringe of the moorland. 



Nature of the Cultivated Land 



Almost the whole of the cultivated land of this district is 

 laid down to grass, and is termed by English agriculturists " per- 

 manent pasture," as it is nowadays never ploughed. Ploughed 

 or arable land is, on the Avhole, of rather uncommon occurrence. 



The cultivated land is separated by fences constructed of 

 either sandstone or limestone. The sandstone walls ultimately 

 weather to an almost black hue, whilst the limestone walls 



