300 



Farming of Cumberland. 



probably require less improvement now than any other depart- 

 ment connected with agriculture. 



Public drainages seem required in some parts ; as in the Abbey 

 Holme, at the heads of Bassenthwaite and Derwent lakes, &c. 



Short-horn cattle and the crossing of mountain sheep have 

 been introduced within the present century. These are capable 

 of still further improvement ; but attention is keenly fixed on 

 them, and is likely to further develope their capabilities. 



Many of the inclosures of commons with their reclamation 

 have occurred within present memory. 



In short, every branch of agriculture is very much improved 

 since the date mentioned, and there are few branches but what 

 are likely to be still further improved. The education and habits 

 of the people have felt the influence of improvement greatly ; 

 and if anything requires attention more than another, it is such 

 an education of the youth of the labouring classes as may better 

 fit them for the duties of servitude. 



The extent of draining required is adverted to in another place. 

 With its extension, the dead fallows will no doubt be supplanted 

 by green crops. 



The growth of lucerne on the deep dry soils, and of Italian rye 

 grass on other soils, will be found of great advantage in soiling 

 cattle, &c. 



Great improvements may be made, and much land gained, by 

 exchanges of intermixed lands, and removal of old and crooked 

 fences. 



Cutting hay and straw into chaff for the use of cattle and 

 horses ought to be increased till the whole produce of the farm 

 can be consumed by them, instead of so much being used for 

 litter. This saving of fodder, and the avoidance of the waste 

 committed in the slovenly system of foddering out-lying cattle, 

 would amount to something considerable. 



Assuming that no competent person would trouble himself to 

 obtain legislative interference for the extermination of thistles, 

 the power of ridicule ought to be resorted to for compelling in- 

 dolent men to attempt the eradication of this weed — the charge 

 of the road sides being vested in the parish officers, by way of 

 setting example. Docks are more manageable weeds. 



An organised determination ought to be formed to compel the 

 vagrant hordes who encamp on the road-sides and bye-lanes to 

 abandon their predatory course of life, and adopt some more 

 honest calling. 



Other requirements are noticed in the body of this report. 



W. Dickinson. 



North Mosses, Cockermouth. 



