Farming of Lancashire. 



23 



the eastward ; and the town of Lytham, at the mouth of the Ribble, 

 has become, in consequence of its peculiar situation and warmth, 

 a favourite place of resort during the winter months. The soil 

 for the most part south of the YVyre is rich and loamy, lighter 

 than on the eastern side of the Lancaster Railway, and capable 

 of growing any crops, and when drained most productive. To- 

 wards the sea-coast, from Lytham to Blackpool and Fleetwood, 

 the red marl prevails : but to the north of the Wyre it is almost 

 entirely peat and moss resting on a substratum of marl and clay. 



The character of the people and size of the farms are very 

 similar to what has been already described of the lower part of 

 this division, in the neighbourhood of Barton, &c. ; but the Earl 

 of Derby and Mr. Clifton, who owns a large tract of country in 

 this district of the Fylde 5 have done much towards their improve- 

 ment. The latter gentleman especially has endeavoured to intro- 

 duce upon his property a higher system of farming, before 

 unknown there, and with the help of his intelligent agent, Mr. 

 Fair, has certainly accomplished great things. He established a 

 private Agricultural Society, which gave a stimulus to improve- 

 ment amongst his own tenantry, that has been attended with much 

 good ; the stock exhibited gradually improved, and the green-crop 

 system has been successfully tried, and the example thus afforded 

 of what might be done with care and skill has not been without 

 its effects beyond the limits of that Society. Large dykes and 

 drains have been made to carry off the water to the Ribble ; one 

 especially, which extends from five to six miles, was made at an 

 expense of 3000/. entirely by the proprietor ; and as a proof of the 

 benefit resulting from this work, offers were immediately made of 

 an increased rent, which would bring some return for the outlay, 

 and gave encouragement for further similar undertakings. 



Mr. Clifton, in carrying out his views, has also introduced from 

 Scotland men of capital and position as tenant-farmers, such as 

 were unknown before in this county ; and by giving long leases of 

 19 or 21 years on large farms of 400 acres or more, has effected 

 a change which promises to be very advantageous ; but it yet 

 remains to be seen whether or not, as a whole, the Scotch system 

 is the one which is most calculated to suit this part of England. 

 Mr. Begbie, one of these gentlemen, has kindly furnished me 

 with some particulars relating to his own farm near Lytham, which 

 are worthy of notice. Part of his farm he has drained 2 feet 6 

 inches deep ; but during the last two years no drains have been 

 made less than 3, and some 4 feet; the 3-feet drains being 6 

 yards apart, and the price paid for cutting and filling 5 J d. to 6d. 

 per rood of 8 yards. The 4-feet drains are generally placed 12 

 yards apart, and the price for cutting, &c, 8c?. per rood ; these 

 latter have only been made when the subsoil was open and porous. 



