Farmimj of Yorkshire. 
127 
tho absence of rain for more than two or three consecutive days 
to l)t' a very rare occurrence. 
Iieapin(i-)naehines. — Since tlie introduction of reapin<2;-machines 
from America, mainly through the instrumentality of the Great 
Exhibition in 1851, both the implement-makers and the farmers 
of this county have taken a prominent part in ada])ting them to 
the requirements of British agriculture. In the North Riding, 
wliere many of the fields are of moderate size, and where the 
old ridge-and-furrow system remains, a small, light reaping- 
machine is used, which cuts the corn only, and recjuires a man 
to aid in the delivery. On the extensive fields of the Wolds 
throughout the East Riding, as well as on the arable farms 
in the south of the county, those machines are preferred 
which have a self-acting delivery, being less laborious to the 
workpeople, and also allowing the corn to be cut and left in 
swathe for a few hours, if required, before it is gathered up. 
During the last three years a considerable number of these 
machines have been worked on large farms, their price and bulk 
rendering them comparatively inapplicable to smaller farms. 
This objection is, however, obviated, as in the case of the steam 
threshing-machine, by persons letting them out on hire, the 
farmer supplying the horses to work the machine, and the owner 
sending a man to attend to it whilst working. On some estates 
the landlords have purchased them, to afford their tenantry an 
opportunity of hiring. Having cut a great part of our corn with 
one of McCormick's reaping-machines, we can testify to the 
great benefit we derived from its use during the late wet harvest. 
The work was well and quickly done, and the harvest operations 
were considerably accelerated — a matter of no small importance 
in a precarious season. Some improvements may, however, be 
made in its present form, which is unwieldy, and requires much 
time and labour in taking to pieces for removal from field to 
field or from farm to farm ; besides, the draught is too heavy. 
Waggons. — Waggons are generally employed for harvesting 
both corn and hay, as well as for delivering produce when sold ; 
but for taking manure to the land, and. the general work of the 
farm, one-horse carts are commonly preferred. 
The Yorkshire farmers are fully alive to the importance of a 
liberal education, and many of them send their sons, not merely 
to superior elementary schools, but afterwards to the best agri- 
cultural colleges ; others place them as pupils with well-known 
practical farmers, Avhere they go through a complete training, 
and learn the improved methods practised in various localities ; 
so that a succession of young farmers are arising initiated in 
all the modern appliances of advanced agriculture, and not un- 
