Farming of Lancashire. 



3 1 



Hamilton, which, from the woods of Ashton Hall to the moor- 

 lands of Barnacre and Wyersdale, includes a large tract of country. 

 Under the superintendence of Mr. Lamb great improvements 

 have been effected on this property, and in a district containing so 

 great a variety of soils and situations as this does, it requires no 

 ordinary skill to adapt to each the proper treatment. 



Eleven years ago the Duke of Hamilton established the Ashton 

 Agricultural Society for the purpose of offering encouragement to 

 exertion amongst his own tenantry : the premiums were confined 

 exclusively to them ; whilst by the adoption of open sweepstakes 

 a general competition was also admitted. This Society still 

 flourishes ; and the effect has been very beneficial, not only to a 

 great majority of the Duke's tenantry, but to the whole of this 

 part of the country. To assist in the improvement of the stock, 

 his Grace has purchased, within the last few years, several bulls 

 of first-rate pedigree, at prices varying from 40Z. to 607. and 80/. ; 

 and calves at less prices. Three of these bulls have been regu- 

 larly kept on the estate, and are replaced as occasion required. 



Both the standard of stock and general management of farms 

 have been greatly improved. Amongst other results Mr. Lamb 

 has informed me that there has been a great increase in the growth 

 of turnips ; in fact, one farm now produces as much as the whole 

 estate did eleven years ago. 



On the low lands, where a regular system of arable culture is 

 admissible, the following rotation of crops is now adopted: — 1st, 

 oats ; 2nd, turnips ; 3rd, barley, and grass seeds, to remain in pas- 

 ture for two or three years. On the higher lands, exposed to the 

 severe winds and storms from the westward, and where the soil is 

 poor, the meadows and pastures are generally preserved unbroken. 

 Mr. Curtis, who occupies the Heald — a high farm in Barnacre, 

 of 109 customary acres, equal to 180 statute, and at an elevation 

 of 500 feet above the sea — has tried a course of oats, turnips with 

 guano, and oats with seeds, with tolerable success. He does not 

 recommend swedes in the high moorish soil, as, from his expe- 

 rience, they do not keep well. 



The draining on the whole property is done on a very extensive 

 scale: in 1847, 50 miles of drains were cut; and in 1848, not 

 less than 62 miles, at the following rates, and at depths varying 

 from 3 ft. 6-in. to 5 ft., with 2 in. pipes, and 3-in. ditto for main 

 drains : — 



ft. in. s. d. 



Cost at a depth of 3 6 . . 0 9^ per rood of 7 yards 

 „ 4 0 . .10 „ 



5 0 . . 1 6 



the width between the drains being 7 or 8 yards. The prices 

 vary, of course, according to the substratum, but these are gene- 



