Arable Land 
sows an acre each of oats, rye, and potatoes. The 
ground is manured with seaweed brought from the 
seaside, and is not enclosed in any way. The lean 
cows, sheep, and the mare and foal which are running 
free in the common pasture, are always endeavouring 
to sample these crops, and the united efforts of all his 
children, and of his many dogs, are required to keep 
them away. 
The people are extremely poor, but there is some- 
thing homely and attractive about the old-fashioned, 
little two-roomed hovel, with its roof of straw held 
down by ropes and stones, There is a kitchen-pen 
for the cattle, and a snug place for the pig, beside the 
fire of peats, which is in the centre of the hut, and on 
the ground. 
Even in Devonshire one finds in Braunton Great 
Field some sort of guide as to what was once a very 
common system of agriculture. This field is said to 
contain 365 acres subdivided into an enormous number 
of little strips and plots held by different villagers. 
In former days there would be huge unenclosed 
wastes or commons surrounding the village arable, 
upon which the goats, sheep, cattle, and horses would 
run half wild and without any attention. After harvest 
they would probably be allowed to graze on the arable 
land. This sort of agriculture exists more or less all 
over Southern Europe. Itis the system in Spain, where 
one finds rich alluvials or vegas intensely and carefully 
cultivated, but without any enclosures or hedges. The 
cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, and mules are pastured on 
the hills, which have been so much grazed and spoilt 
by over-stocking that the food is of the most scanty 
character. 
There are authorities, even to-day, who profess to 
admire this venerable system of agriculture, which is 
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