in Northumberland and Durham in 1887. 591 
These figures clearly show that large holdings preponderate 
in Northumberland, while in Durham a very small proportion 
of the total area is in holdings exceeding 500 acres. Holdings 
of 300 to 500 acres occupy 28 per cent, of the total area in 
Northumberland, 17 • 35 per cent, for England. Below 300 acres, 
every class of holding in Northumberland is below the average 
of England generally. 
The usual period of entry is Old May-day (May 13th), and 
as a rule the out-goer has the crop of Corn growing on a 
definite proportion of the arable land. In practice this crop is 
valued to the incomer. 
Northumberland was distinctly the county in England where 
long leases were in favour both with landlords and tenants, and 
the marvellous improvement which took place in its agriculture 
in the latter part of last and the beginning of this century was 
attributed to the security which these leases gave to tenants. 
A great change of opinion has, however, occurred, and it would 
appear from the experience of the Judges that yearly tenancies 
are now far more common than leases. 
The Parliamentary Return, 1886, respecting Allotments, 
gives the following particulars for Northumberland ; — 
Ko. of agricultural labourers 8349 
No. of labourers having ground for potatoes .. .. 3165 
No. having a general run for a Cow 880 
No. having a Cow run of a definite quantity of land 4G 
No. of allotments or field gardens not exceeding 4 
acres detached from cottages 5391 
No. of garden allotments attached to cottnges and 
exceeding |- of an acre 2838 
It is not pretended that all these allotments, gardens, &c., 
are held by agricultural labourers. No doubt miners, me- 
chanics, and others, share in the advantages of these small 
holdings. On the other hand, it is extremely probable that 
hundreds of cases where a labourer has a piece of potato- 
ground allowed him in the fallow break of the farm at a 
low rent, or rent free, could not be known to the enumerators 
of allotments. 
