580 
The Cumberland and Westmoreland 
the early age at which the Cumberland farmer considers it 
necessary that the training of his children for pastoral pursuits 
should begin. 
Altogether, in the light of a mere Herdwick sheep-run, this 
farm is an interesting one. A day spent among his flock with 
Mr. Mounsey would assuredly elicit a large amount of valuable 
information. An acquaintance with the dialect of the country 
would be advisable, for many of Mr. Mounsey's most racy stories 
are given, as they should be, in their native dress. He moreover 
possesses a fund of information on subjects connected with his 
calling which make him an interesting companion ; and a fine 
summer day on the mountain-side in his company might perhaps 
reconcile even a ' Field ' reporter to a more charitable view of 
Herdwick peculiarities. 
Conclusion. 
I should like to add to this already lengthy Report a few 
words in conclusion. One cannot return from the survey of 
these Northern farms without considering in what manner the 
peculiarities of their agriculture have averted from them the 
misfortunes which have fallen on the more Southern districts of 
Great Britain ; and the question will many a time be asked of 
the visitor to Cumberland and Westmoreland, " How do you 
account for this continued prosperity, when the rest of the 
agricultural community is being crushed ? " 
I have in former parts of this Report alluded to one or two of 
the causes which have undoubtedly operated on behalf of the 
Northern farmer, and especially I have marked the pastoral 
character of the occupations. But there are one or two further 
causes, which seem to me important, and to which I should 
like to call further attention ; and I will divide my observations 
into those matters which are owing (1) to Nature (soil, climate, 
&c.), and (2) to custom and habit. 
(1.) To Nature — i.e. to the climate and soil — the Cumberland 
or Westmoreland farmer is undoubtedly much indebted. The 
root crop is one of the special excellences of his agriculture. 
Even in the worst of years swedes seldom fail to produce a large 
crop of splendid quality when their cultivation is well managed. 
Their fattening qualities are undeniable, and in bulk it may be 
doubted whether any other parts of Great Britain can excel 
the crops in some of these favoured districts. 
Again, the enormous advantage of being able to keep seeds 
down from 4 to 7 years or even more — as some of the candidates 
in this competition are accustomed to do — cannot be overlooked ; 
and this is due in a great measure to the climate. 
