47G 
Far)ninfj of Dcvovshire. 
reasonably anticipate as much variation in the produce of seasons 
and localities in this country as we find in the vineyards on the 
continent; and if the same care were taken in obtaining and 
perfecting cider as is there observed with regard to wines, doubt- 
less the "growth" of particular years would he equally valued. 
Orchards are generally kept in grass which is fed by sheep ; 
they are rarely cultivated, but potatoes are occasionally grown 
in them. It is considered after a few years to injure the value of 
the cider, but this probably arises from the land becoming of 
better quality. The crop of apples is frequently injured by 
attacks from the caterpillars of two or three moths which are 
concealed in the blossom or leaves, and generally termed the 
hligJit. Little can be done to check their ravages, although some 
have tried with success the method of burninof weeds or wet 
straw on the windward side of the orchard at the time the fly 
deposits her eggs. The apple also suffers much in some seasons 
from the woolly aphis (Aphis lanigera) and other small insects. 
Lime is the best remedy, being easily applied and very efficacious. 
Canker is a disease to which some orchards are subject, arising 
frequently from want of drainage ; in other instances from causes 
not so easily detected. I have known cases in whichj by regraft- 
ing the head, the tree has recovered. 
Valuable as the orchard is to the Devonshire farmer {and its 
woTth mag be verg much increased), it is remarkable that so little 
attention is bestowed upon it either in the selection of good 
varieties or in the manufacture of the cider. The value of 
cider varies from 21. to 51. per hogshead, but the greater quantity 
does not sell for more than 21. 10s. The average produce has been 
stated at 10 hogsheads per acre ; and we can thus form some , 
idea of the pecuniary loss which [now] results from imperfect 
management. The manufacture of cider is a subject replete 
with matter for scientific investigation, and nf^eisgreat inducements 
to those who, by an application of this information, can render 
the practice more perfect. 
Grass-La)id. 
Little worthy of notice is observable in the general manage- 
ment of grass-land in this county. An exception however 
occurs in the South Hams, for farmers are frequently coinpelled hg 
tlieir leases to apply all or the greater part of their farmyard- 
manure to the land which is in permanent pasture. When they 
do not impoverish their arable land to this extent it is very 
common for them to apply 100 to 150 seams (20 to 30 two-horse 
cartloads) of dung per acre. 
This county being very much intersected by rivers we have an 
abundance of meadow-land. The land is generally of good 
