48 



Farming of Derbyshire, 



been extensively used) will here be of great service. It will also have the 

 effect of neutralizing any acids which the sulphuret of iron in the subsoil may 

 jj^ive rise to. Phosphates are here present in abundance, and it is very likely 

 that bones may not be found of much use. Common salt and ammonia the 

 best tillage ; gypsum not required, being constantly furnished by the subsoil." 



It does not appear that any of the manures referred to by the 

 chemist have been used; but, from the analysis, the soil is 

 adapted for the growth of clover. And practice confirms science 

 — clover sickness is unknown ; and this capricious plant never 

 fails. 



Before leaving this part of the county notice must be taken 

 of the Portland Estate, situate on the East Moor. It contains 

 507 A. 3 R. 16 p., chiefly a black peaty soil, resting on a potter's 

 clay, and came into possession by purchase in 1829 : since which 

 time it has been reclaimed, drained, fenced ; plantations have been 

 made, and farmsteads erected. By the favour of Charles Neale, 

 Esq., of Mansfield Woodhouse, I am enabled to give a few par- 

 ticulars of the outlay on this property, which is, without any 

 doubt, the most prominent feature in the county of the improve- 

 ment of waste lands. As the traveller first descends the hill 

 from Chesterfield to Baslow he will have observed to the left 

 this property, and the continued improvements to which it has 

 been subject for more than twenty years, affording evidence what 

 may be done by capital in surmounting the physical difficulties 

 of soil and climate. " The greater part of the draining was cut 

 up the hill in the furrows, 3 feet deep and about 6 yards apart, 

 and cost about 5/. 17^. per statute acre. Where the drains v.^ere 

 cut through peat or black soil the land has suhsided nearly 2 jest ; 

 consequently, those parts have had to be redrained 2 feet deeper, 

 and have effected great improvement. The clay thrown out by 

 the deeper drainage is spread on the peat surface, and has been 

 of great benefit. Deep drains on the hills were made j^r^^, 8 feet 

 deep, catching the springs, and discharge a large quantity of 

 water during the summer months, long after the furrow drains have 

 ceased to run. About 883,750 tiles have now been put down ; 

 and the total cost in draining the estate is 5094/. 12s. lOd., or 

 101. 135. ^d. per statute acre. 



£. s. d. £. s. d. 



2000 17 4, or about 4 0 0 per acre, expended in fencing, walling, 



plants, &c. 



897 9 3, or 1 16 6 per acre, in cultivation, ridding, stubbing, &c. 

 192 15 2, or 0 5 6 per acre, in roads, bridges, watering-places, &c. 



The total cost of farm-buildings, which are entirely new, has 

 been about 9Z. per statute acre. Up to Lady-day, 1841, when 

 the whole of the estate had been brought into cultivation, the 

 sum of 25/. 15-5. Q>d. per statute acre had been expended in pre- 

 paring the moorland for the occupation of tenants." 



