Fanning of NortJiaynptonsJure. 



103 



Barton Seagrave, Kettering, Isham, and " Withmale Park Farm" 

 in the parish of Orlingburv. The occupiers of farms of about 

 200 acres and upwards are generally men of capital, and there are 

 many wealthy freeholders who farm their o\yn estates. The 

 tenants of small farms of 50 or 60 acres are men of small capital, 

 and assist in performing the Avork of the farm ; they are a very 

 industrious class of men, but do not rank much higher in the scale 

 of society than the farm-labourer. Where the occupation is below 

 30 or 40 acres, the occupier generally follows some other business 

 in connexion with his land, or else is a dairyman selling milk, 

 occupying grass-land in the vicinity of a town or large village. 



The rent of land in this county varies according to its quality. 

 The inferior and second-rate farms range from 20^. to 30^. per 

 acre ; and the better land averages from 305. to 50^. per acre. 

 Accommodation land in the vicinity of towns commands a higher 

 rental. Where the vicar has not had an apportionment of land in 

 lieu of tithes, they are generally commuted into a rent-charge, 

 varying from 4^. to Is. per acre. Poor-rates are regulated by the 

 size of the parishes from \s. to 65. per acre, exclusive of highway 

 and church-rates. 



On the Improvements still required throughout the County. 



Plaving before entered at sorne length " On the present state of 

 the Farm Buildings," I need refer to them again only to re- 

 mark that the present provision of buildings is quite inadequate 

 to the w^ants of our improved system of husbandry, and calls for 

 a decided and active movement on the part of the proprietors to 

 supply the deficiency. 



No doubt many proprietors are alarmed at the expense of erect- 

 ing entire new premises, and those who have the means are oftea 

 at a loss to know what plan to pursue, so great is the difference 

 of opinion as to the proper arrangements for stock and farm pro- 

 duce. But without going to an extravagant outlay of capital, very 

 great improvements and additions might be made to many of the 

 present farm homesteads. The building of an extra barn, the 

 enlargement of existing cow-hovels and stabling, or the simple 

 addition of a new^ yard, might convert a nov/ inconvenient home- 

 stead to a more useful and profitable one. It must be admitted 

 that some are so bad as to be past all cure. A steward of one of 

 the largest estates in this county being called upon to give an 

 opinion of some existing farm premises, said, in reply — I 

 am often puzzled to know", in the revision of farm buildings, what 

 to retain and what to remove, but in this case, I have no doubt, 

 the only plan to pursue is to pull them all down." 



In addition to a suitable arrangement for stock and the other 

 purposes of husbandry, there should be a dwelling-house suitable 



