Farming in Devon and Cornwall. 
521 
The processes of cultivation for all other crops are much the 
same as in other parts of the kingdom, though they rejoice in 
local synonyms which may at first be somewhat puzzling to 
strangers to the provincial dialect. To hear that a field was 
first " skirted," then " tormented," " shaved," " combed or 
chiselled," " broken," and " seeded," is but to grasp very im- 
perfectly that it has undergone the various operations of skim- 
ploughing, cultivating, horse-hoeing, harrowing, ploughing, and 
drilling. It may be mentioned that all root crops, potatoes, 
cabbage, &c, are almost invariably drilled or planted on the 
fiat, and that the corn crops are not often drilled, and still less 
often hoed or weeded. Also that in general the management 
of the root crop is superior to that of the cereals, with the result 
that, whilst in the Produce Statistics issued by the Board of 
Agriculture the estimated ordinary average yields of the former 
approach very closely to the mean of the whole kingdom, those 
of the latter are the lowest of any county in either England or 
Scotland. 
South-western farmers are not heavy feeders of stock, nor 
can they be said to indulge too largely in the purchase of 
artificial manures. To many graziers and stock-rearers in other 
count ies the expenses of Devon and Cornwall farmers for purchased 
feeding-stuffs would, with but one or two exceptions, seem mere 
trifles, whilst the bills for artificial manures are rarely of sufficient 
amount to lead to contested arbitrations under the Agricultural 
Holdings Act. 
Water Meadows. 
"Water meadows are a great feature in the farming of Devon- 
shire. AVherever a stream, be it small or large, runs alongside 
or through any grass land, there is it sure to be utilised tor 
irrigation. The water is conveyed in open gutters or carriers 
along the different lines of contour, and from them distributed 
over the land below ; and, if a small village or town happens to 
pour its sewage undiluted into the stream, the land below reaps 
the benefit On many farms a stream of water is diverted 
purposely through one corner of the homestead or yard, so that 
the liquid manure from the foldyard and buildings can get into 
it, and be carried with it to some adjoining meadow. This may 
be, and doubtless is, a very economical method of applying the 
liquid manure ; but when, as in too many instances seen, the 
pond or reservoir in the farmyard, which is used for collecting 
and mixing the two fluids, is made a drinking place for cattle, 
there can be no wonder that occasionally animals do badly, 
despite all other care in housing and feeding. The usual period 
VOL. I. T. s. — 3 u M 
