Farming of Devonshire. 
483 
flesh, whilst the potato acts as additional matter to be converted 
into fat, for which its composition renders it very suitable. 
The swede and mangold wurzel have been much employed since 
the commencement of the present potato disease. When these 
roots are boiled or steamed, the water with which they have been 
cooked should be carefully preserved, and given to them mixed 
with meal. It is doubted by many persons if any advantage is 
derived from feeding: hogs with steamed food, but we can soon 
form a correct opinion on this question. The body present in the 
swede or mangold wurzel, which produces fat, is sugar, which is 
easily dissolved in loater, but in the potato it is found as starch 
which is not soluble; if, however, the latter is either steamed or 
boiled it bursts its envelope and will then be readily digested. 
Hence we should expect but little advantage from cooking the 
swede and mangold wurzel, whilst it is essentially necessary for 
the economical consumption of the potato, and this opinion is sup- 
ported by practice. 
Poultry. 
The rearing and feeding of poultry is much attended to in this 
county, and a large number of turkeys, geese, ducks, and fowls 
are forwarded to the metropolis. The general character of the 
poultry is that they are smaller than the ordinary size, but exceed- 
ingly delicate. From the neigbourhood of Hatherleigh, Torring- 
ton, and the dairy district, the largest quantities are obtained, and 
the entire produce of the year is frequently purchased by houses 
in London, and fixed quantities are sent periodically according to 
agreement. The regularity and speed with which poultry are 
now conveyed by means of the railroad increases the demand from 
this part. Butter, cream, and young pork are also supplied under 
similar conditions. The general management of poultry differs 
but little from the ordinary practice of other parts. 
Enclosures. 
The enclosures of Devon are very small and the fences larger 
and more frequent than necessary. This subject has been fully 
considered in an Essay by Mr. Grant* of Exeter, and the data 
therein contained are worthy of confidence, being the result of 
actual measurement. This survey extended over 37,000 acres, 
within a circuit of 15 miles round Exeter, and was confined to 
land under tillage. In this extent there are 1651 miles of hedges 
occupying 2642 acres, or 7f per cent. The average size of the 
fields IS 4 acres, 2 roods, 22 jVerches, and out of 7997 enclosures 
(the whole number surveyed) 7670 were less than 10 acres, and 
* Journal of Royal Agricultural Society, vol. v., p. 420. 
