226 



Farming of Cumberland. 



where it does not exist, even leases can be quietly and almost 

 imperceptibly^ — but, unfortunately, very surely — evaded, if a 

 tenant be dishonestly inclined. The stipulations, which in most 

 cases rule what is held as the custom of the country (before 

 alluded to), usually correspond with five or six years' course.* 

 These are, for entry on the arable farms, chiefly at Candlemas, 

 and a few at Lady-day ; but, on sheep-farms, almost invariably 

 at the latter period. The usual requirements are half-yearly 

 payments ; payment of all rates and taxes, and performance of 

 all parochial and parliamentary offices, by the tenant ; keeping- 

 all in repair except walls, roofs, and main timbers ; not having 

 more than one-third of the arable land under corn-crop ; for 

 fallow or green crops between every two corn-crops,"]' and sowing 

 the latter crop down with clover and grass-seeds for three years ; 

 for not mowing the grass-seeds and clover twice in the first year, 

 nor again in the same course ; for not ploughing meadow or old 

 grass-lands ; for keeping a full stock of cattle, &c., as in former 

 years, to the end of the term ; for spending the vestures on the 

 premises ; with various modifications of these several conditions, 

 to suit circumstances and localities ; a clause for re-entry on the 

 non-fulfilment of any of the stipulations ; and mostly with a 

 general clause requiring the farm to be managed according to 

 the rules of good husbandry and the "custom of the country." 

 This custom varies, in some few localities, to a five years' or 

 other course. 



It has become more general lately to make the whole year's 

 rent due at the termination of the first half-year, but to excuse 

 payment till the regular time if all goes well. Meadow-hay is 

 scarcely ever allowed to be sold, and seed-grass hay but seldom, 

 unless the tenant provide an equivalent in extra manure. Corn- 

 rents occur in some few cases ; but, in no case within the know- 

 ledge of the writer, does the tenant stipulate for an interest in 

 "unexhausted improvements, beyond his outlay for fallows and 

 grass-seeds, or something of old-standing custom. Terms are 

 commonly for seven, nine, or fourteen years. Some few intro- 

 duce penal clauses for over-ploughing, over-mowing, suffering 

 drain-mouths to choke up, &c. &c. ; but a proper selection of 

 tenants of respectability (now when the choice is so abundant), 

 with sufficient capital, at reasonable — not at adventurous — rents, 

 for leases of fourteen to twenty-one years, with covenants for 



* The five years' course prevails more in the east, and the six years' course in 

 the west of the county. 



t Housman, who wrote on Cumberland in 1800, says " The most general rule is 

 to sow from two to five or six white crops in sviccession ; and there are some in- 

 stances whei*e land has been ploughed and sown with corn fur time immemorial." 



"The ploughman drives the (pair of) horses himself with the utmost ease, by 

 means of cords fixed to the bit of the bridle, and will plough an acre a day. This 

 method has not been practised above thirty years." — Ibid. 



