Farming of Lincolnsldre. 



343 



This soil grows very fine red clover for mowing, a small propor- 

 tion being needed for summer-grazing. There is only a small 

 extent of pasture, tillage having been hitherto considered the 

 most profitable. Underdraining is practised where it is found to 

 be necessary. 



On the clay land the principal area is under grass, the greater 

 part of which is in meadow. The arable portion has been very 

 much improved by underdraining where the condition of the 

 open drains rendered it practicable ; but considerable advantages 

 have yet to be gained in this respect. The yield of wheat on this 

 land is generally above 4 quarters per acre; the produce from 

 spring corn depends mainly on the management. No regular 

 system is pursued in the rotation of cropping, but potatoes and 

 beans are the most productive crops. The farm management 

 exists in all gradations of excellence from what is termed high 

 farming to the most slovenly and dispirited. 



That part of the clay district below the Wolds, from Humber- 

 ston north to Louth south, west of the Louth navigation, has 

 about three-fourths of its surface in tillage. It is usually culti- 

 vated on the 4-field system, though with numerous variations,, 

 and is decidedly a breeding district for sheep. The rent averages 

 from 'ISs. to 305. per acre. A considerable extent of liming is 

 practised, particularly on those farms which lie near to the chalk. 

 Underdraining is done with sods or wedges of earth, but few tiles 

 or pipes being used. " The drains are generally 30 inches deep, 

 of the form represented in the accompanying diagram, the space 

 above the wedge being filled up with chalk stones in order to 

 make a porous covering to the drains. Drains of 

 this kind have lasted upwards of 24 years, the sod 

 not being found to moulder, but merely turning 

 greasy with the wet. They are placed at intervals 

 of 3J yards in some instances (the chalk of course 

 being used only on lands which lie near to the W^^^^"^' 

 Wold hills), and their beneficial effects in diminish- 

 ing the adhesiv^eness of the soil and removing its 

 coldness and wetness are very great. 



Between Humberston and Saltfleet is a belt of marsh, having 

 an average breadth of 4 to 5 miles. It chiefly consists of grass- 

 land ; and, formerly, every bordering wold farmer used to have 

 a piece of marsh, " shepherded" for \s. an acre. It is now par- 

 tially a breeding, but more a feeding district : about one-half is 

 good feeding land, though not so rich and powerful as the grazing 

 lands near Boston. It carries from 6 to 8 hogs per acre, or a 

 cowan acre, the sheep going away at a weight of about 30 lbs. per 

 quarter. About one-fourth is meadow (z. c. mown for hay) and 

 breeding land, and the remaining fourth is arable, consistins; of 



