Farming of Cumherland. 



221 



The occupiers of farms of 150 up to 400 and 500 acres or 

 more of arable land are partly tenants and partly yeomen, who 

 cultivate more or less of their own estates. These will occupy 

 about one half of the arable soil, though in number far below 

 the smaller occupiers. A large majority of these are the de- 

 scendants of farmers from generation to generation, some of 

 whom are tilling the same farms, along with additions, which 

 their grandfathers, and even great-grandfathers,* held in tenancy 

 under the same race of owners. Others are yeomen, cultivating 

 their patrimonial estates in whole or in part. A few are of the 

 meritorious class who have risen from servitude or other in- 

 ferior stations by continued care and industry, or in part by 

 fortunate circumstances, to hold some of the largest farms. A 

 very small but increasing number are of the amateur class, who, 

 having retired from, or even while still holding more lucrative 

 employments, indulge in, perhaps, the long-suppressed, yet 

 strongly-implanted, wish to enjoy country life, its field-sports 

 and fancied indulgences, not without an idea of boundless 

 profits certain to arise from the produce of the ground. 



Some of these last, who have brought superior education and 

 ample capital, with strong enthusiasm, talent, and patience for 

 experimenting into the field, combined with the practice of disci- 

 pline and the habit of economising time acquired in other pur- 

 suits, are setting examples and instilling a spirit which must act 

 advantageously on all around them. 



Culley says in 1805, " The generality of farms are from 15Z. 

 to 30/." per annum ; " some few extend to 100/., or a little 

 more." There are many modern farms of 400/., 500/., and up to 

 800/. or more, in East Cumberland, and some few of like rental in 

 the western division. 



The enclosing of the numerous commons, on which so many 

 farms enjoyed pasturage, &c., has now added to their extent, and 

 purchases, followed by new adjustments on the greater estates, 

 have been the means of enlarging the average sizes to what 

 they now are. In 1823 there were 300 tenants farming on 

 the Netherby estate, at a low rental, and with a considerable 

 amount in arrear, a great proportion of which it was found expe- 

 dient to forgive. With the resolution which only a strong mind 

 could adopt and persevere in. Sir James Graham and his able 

 land-steward set about revising the whole, by consolidating and 

 enlarging the farms, and apportioning to each, where practicable, 



* It is now (1852) 117 years since the ancestors of the present Mr. Mossop, of 

 Rottington Hall, near Whitehaven, took that farm of the house of Lowther, of its 

 present extent, at 80Z. per annum, for a twenty-one years' lease ; and on the ex- 

 piration of that term contracted for another term, at the same rent for the first 

 thirteen years, and 100/. for the latter seven. During the French war the rent 

 advanced to 999/,, and is now something less. 



