Farming of Cumberland. 



231 



been widely enlarged, down to the period when the potato disease 

 visited England. 



But for the last few years people hare been more wary in 

 planting, and the result has been cleaner lands, under an extended 

 turnip culture. Still the disease has neither been so violent nor 

 so widely spread in East Cumberland as in the west ; many 

 parts of the east having considerable quantities to dispose of 

 annually, and the west having to purchase. The virulence of 

 the disease seems in the way of abating, and the crop is being 

 gradually extended. 



Although Cumberland cannot be said to be a wheat-growing 

 county, much larger breadths are now sown than formerly, and 

 still large quantities are imported. Bailey and Culley say 

 " wheat is a modern production here," and " it is not more 

 than 40 years since summer-fallows for wheat Avere first used." 

 They also say, " the wheat that is sown after turnips or clover 

 is trifling, the main supply is from summer-fallows." Wheat is 

 not yet sown after clover, except for experiment, and does not 

 succeed. Summer-fallow has been the usual preparation for 

 wheat, and much mismanagement committed in that vt^ay, till 

 the extension of turnip culture on drained lands. And now the 

 turnip-land wheat almost rivals in extent that of the fallov/s. 

 About three imperial bushels of seed are sown or drilled to the 

 acre; commencing with the manured fallows, about the 1st of 

 September, continued to January on the turnip-lands, and 

 ending with the spring wheats in April. 



The seed is commonly pickled before sowing, with sundry 

 preparations, such as arsenic, blue vitriol, lime, &c., to prevent 

 the smut-ball. Some prefer its being slightly dried on the 

 drying-kiln, and this process, when cleverly managed, is said to 

 be effective. A low degree of heat above ordinary temperature 

 is sufficient to destroy the sporules of the smut, but an unskilful 

 or careless operator would be apt to overheat the corn and destroy 

 its germinating properties. 



Early cutting of wheat (that is, previous to the head being 

 turned down) is on all hands admitted to secure a finer sample 

 than the old method of allowing it to die on its feet. 



Thirty years ago the estimated average produce was 18 * imperial 

 bushels to the acre. It may now be reckoned about 24, and bids 

 fair, under the great use of artificial manures, drainage, &c., to 

 be yet increased. On first-rate soils from 30 to 40 bushels, and 

 more, per acre, are grown in favourable seasons. 



Bigg, or bear, was commonly grown in former times, but 

 has been superseded by barley. This is sown after a turnip- 



* So little as 12 to 16 bushels have frequently been known on the nndrained clays, 

 after an expensive summer fallow. 



