144 Farmiiij Customs and Covenants of England. 
IX . — The Farminr/ Customs and Covenants of Enyland. 
Uy Clement Cadle. 
Prt7.e Essay. 
It is obvious that in azi Essay on this subject the principal diffi- 
culty of the writer is to so arrange the matter that it shall be 
available with facility for reference by the reader, and at the 
same time be so subdivided as to be fully discussed within the 
limits usually assigned to an Essay in the ' Royal Agricultural 
Journal ;' for it is a subject that is little understood as a whole, 
while almost every agriculturist is necessarily more or less con- 
versant with the customs pi'evalent in his own neighbourhood, 
and, as is usual in these cases, most people think the system they 
understand is the best that can be adopted. In applying to this 
subject, which is as important as it is diversified, our experience 
as agricultural valuers and land agents, we will first pass in 
review the customs now existing, and afterwards make some sug- 
gestions for an agreement to improve them, and at the same time 
to ensure good farming, so that estates may be handed over in 
satisfactory condition to incoming tenants. 
We will first notice the customs as to the various times of 
entry : — 
January 1st, New Years Day. — There are very few entries at 
this date, and of those the customs would be similar to those of 
entries at other dates in the neighbourhood. 
February 2nd, Candlemas. — This is a very common time of 
entry in the West of England, and the customs attending it are 
similar to those of Lady-day entries in the same districts. The 
incomer usually has the right to go upon the stubbles to plough 
after the 1st of November, and often claims stabling for his 
horses, and, in the house, room for their attendant. 
On the 2nd of February the outgoer gives up the whole of the 
land, except a meadow near the buildings, called a "boozy 
pasture," for his cattle to run in till May the 1st; on many light- 
land farms he also claims a right to consume his roots on the 
land where they are grown until the 25th March. 
The outgoer retains the use of yards and buildings, except 
part of stable, until May 1st, to consume his hay, straw, &c., 
and he also claims use of the farm-house, except one room below 
and one upstairs for servants, as before mentioned. 
The outgoing tenant claims the right to plant an offgoing crop 
on sometimes one-fourth, but usually on one-third, of the arable 
land ; to two rooms in the house, and also to half the barns and 
granaries for hai'vesting and storing the crop until 1st May 
twelvemonth following the expiration of tenancy ; but many 
