( '43 ) 



CHAPTER VII. 



Lands. 



SECTION I. 



TILLAGE. 



WH ETHER there is more land in this county 

 actually under the plough at present, than there 

 was 60 or 80 years ago, may admit of some 

 doubt. But that the importance of tillage, and 

 its proper application to the various purposes of 

 husbandry, are now more generally and more! 

 perfectly understood, and the practical part per- 

 formed with greater skill and dexterity, will not 

 bear a dispute. Many of our ploughmen exe- 

 cute, in a very complete and masterly manner, 

 forming and keeping the ridges perfecly straight, 

 and of equal breadth from end to end : and 

 adapting with judgment, the breadth, depth, 

 and inclination of the furrow, to the purposes 

 both of neatness and of utility. To this im- 

 provement, the frequent ploughing-matches that 

 have been encouraged in different parts of the 

 county, and the premiums distributed upon 

 these occasions, have not a little contributed, 



It must be owned, however, that a great 

 many instances occur, where tilling is still per- 

 formed in a very slovenly and injudicious man- 

 ner ; no regard being paid to the size, straight- 



