Farming Customs and Covenants of England. 
151 
stubbles and fallows, and also to manure meadows. The incomer 
takes possession upon payment of the seed-bill, and, in most 
cases, for manure left from last year, or such as will only benefit 
the incomer ; in other cases the manure belongs to the farm. 
The compensation to outgoing tenants for improvements is 
limited ; bones, lime, guano, rape-dust, cScc, are allowed for. The 
allowance for half-inch bones extends over six years on grass- 
land, when pastured ; if mown, for only half that time ; on some 
farms one-third or one-half of the cost of the oil-cake consumed 
during the last year is allowed. The farms are usually let on 
yearly tenancies, and the occupier has to keep the buildings, 
gates, fences, &c., in repair. Hay and straw are not generally 
allowed to be sold off. 
This has been revised by Dr. Hitchman, of the County 
Asylum, and by the Agricultural Society. 
Devonshire. — The change of tenancy takes place either at 
Lady-day or Michaelmas. In some instances it is at Christmas, 
but these are rare. There are very few agricultural customs in 
this county. Nearly all the farms are held under lease or agree- 
ment, and any question that may arise is regulated thereby. If 
there is no lease or agreement the outgoing tenant may in most 
instances sell everything off. When there are tenancies at will, 
from year to year, they are determinable by a notice, which may- 
be given by either party six months' previous to the termination 
of any year of the tenancy. An auction is usually held, and 
everything is sold off, including the manure. A tenant who 
goes out at Lady-day does not sow the wheatcrop, except by 
agreement. The landlord repairs the walls and slated roofs, in 
some instances also the doors and floors ; the tenant has to do all 
other repairs. 
We are indebted to Mr. W. Rolstone Whiteway, of Orley 
House, Ashburton, for an account and revision of the customs of 
this county. 
Dorsetshire. — Lady-day is the usual time of entry. The 
incoming tenant generally enters upon the turnip land and mea- 
dow on the 6th April ; other pasture and down-land, with two-year 
old leys, on the Cith July ; and on the 10th October the remainder 
of the arable land ; and on July the 6th of the year following 
the remainder of the homestead. The incoming tenant is allowed 
stabling, with straw for food and litter, and the use of the yards 
for turning up manure ; he has also a cottage for his carter and 
shepherd, and a portion of the farm-house. 
The outgoing tenant generally takes the wheat and barley 
crop, which is valued on the ground, and worked off by incomer. 
Improvements and artificial manures are not allowed for. The 
manure belongs to the incomine: tenant. 
