2 
On Farm- Buildings. 
of execution, they are seen suffering in their boches from ex- 
posure, and in their limbs from the unwonted exertion of walk- 
ing, with their feet bruised and swollen to such a degree that the 
hoofs sometimes come off altogether. And in another part of the 
same offices a younger set of cattle may be found without suffi- 
cient shelter and protection to secure their health and comfort. 
As far as my observation goes, it is not on the estates of the 
resident country gentlemen, even those of moderate incomes, that 
the greatest deficiency in good farm -buildings is to be found ; but 
chiefly on the very large estates of the wealthiest landowners — • 
which may appear rather paradoxical. Is it that they are so little 
informed on the subject as not to know that such accommodation 
is necessary to its profitable occupation by their tenants? In 
such cases (and of such some examples may be found), the farm- 
steads near the residence, or near the roads approaching to it, 
may obtain some attention ; but the remote ones are left to their 
fate. Now where the owners are so indifferent to the condition 
of their property, the agents are not likely to be very forward to 
incur their displeasure, and bring labour upon themselves, by 
urging the necessity of a troublesome and expensive reform. It is 
not indeed to be expected that a taste for rural pursuits, and an in- 
clination for agricultural improvement, should incite many noble- 
men to follow in the useful and patriotic path of the Duke of 
Bedford, Lord Leicester, and Lord Spencer; or that the liberal 
and prudent, and in the end most economical, course which has 
been pursued by the Earl of Lonsdale, in Westmoreland, Sir 
James Graham, in Cumberland, and Earl Grey, in Northumber- 
land, should be followed by all landlords : but it may be hoped 
that good example, and the general course of improvement, will 
at length force themselves on the attention of the most careless. 
The last named and excellent landlord has most wisely supplied 
each farm on his fine estate, as it fell out of lease, with substantial 
buildings, so that it is now nearly complete in that respect, and is 
a pattern of good management to the country. Whereas others, 
by doing nothing, or as little as possible, are only procrastinating 
the evil day which must come at last, with overwhelming cost ; 
and in the meantime are suffering an annual depreciation of their 
property.* Could the landlords hear now and then the discus- 
sions on their management which take place among the farmers 
around them, they might obtain useful hints for their own benefit. 
* One of the most interesting and remarkable instances of improvement 
that has come under my notice has been effected by the munificent and 
judicious encouragement given to it by Mr. Chfton, of'Lythara, on his ex- 
tensive estate, under the direction of his energetic agent, Mr. Fair, by which 
the hitherto very backward district of the Fyld in Lancashire has, in a very 
lew years, risen to a state of agricultural importance. 
