SECT. 1.—Natural Meadows and Pastures.

NATURAL meadows are generally found in narrow strips by the sides of rivers. "The largest tract of na∣tural meadow, in this county, is in the parish of Scaleby, which lets for 28s. per acre: also between the lakes of Keswick and Bassenthwaite, there is a considerable extent of natural meadow.

Natural pastures are not very numerous in the cul∣tivateable districts of the county; unless such may be called natural pasture, which is left to nature to cover with herbage after having been exhausted with growing corn. If by natural pastures be understood such as have Page  196never been disturbed by the plough, there will be found great abundance in this county; as not only all the com∣mons in the cultivateable districts, but the mountains may come under that denomination.

SECT. 2.—Artificial Grasses.

Artificial Grasses, are here confined to a small number —red clover, (trifolium pratense) white clover (trifolium repens) common hay-feeds, with a little rib grass (plan∣tago lanceolata) and ray-grass, (lolium perenne.)

We were informed, that in 1752, no person in the county had thought of sowing a field down with clover, or even hay-seeds; and that Philip Howard, Esq. of Cor∣by, was the first who sowed a field with clover, and taught his countrymen the use of artificial grasses; yet it is but a few that have benefited by his laudable exertions.

Red Clover, is principally sown where the turnip culture, and summer-fallowing for wheat, are practised, and the land continues only two years in grass: it is generally mown the first year, and depastured the second. The great objection to growing this valuable grass, is the hov∣ing of cattle, which may be obviated by depasturing it with sheep, or by a little caution in having the cattle pretty full, before they are turned into it, and to take care to put them to it on a dry day. Some object to it, because they have taken a fancy that it impoverishes the soil. Old Ellis says, "Clover is the mother of corn." We believe that, could the Cumberland farmers be induced to make an experiment, they would be of the same opinion, and would find their profits so superior to what they are at present, that they would become converts to the cause. We hope we do not exaggerate when we say, that the profits of red clover for two years, would be double to that derived from the same quantity of ground sown with Page  197white clover, rib grass, and hay-seeds; and that the pro∣fits of the succeeding crop of corn would be nearly in the same ratio.

White Clover, has many advocates, and is certainly a valuable plant, where land is intended to continue in grass for a few years, which is generally the case here; and by those who sow any kind of grass seeds, it is in great repute; it is seldom or never sown alone, but ac∣companied by what is here called common hay-seeds, which are generally harmless, from the heat they mostly get in the stacks, and their vegetative powers thereby destroyed: where that is not the case, we fear more weeds than use∣ful plants would be the produce; for when it is consider∣ed, that of the useful plants which compose a good mea∣dow, scarce two of them flower and ripen at the same period; and as the time of mowing is governed more by the weather, or other circumstances, than the collection of useful seeds, it may happen, that not one valuable plant may then have its seeds in that state of perfection, which is necessary for the reproduction of its species; at the same time it is probable, that you may obtain the seeds of many plants, which you would wish to avoid.

Rib Grass, is sown in some places where land is intend∣ed to continue in grass.

Ray-grass, has here but few advocates; a general pre∣judice against this plant seems to have taken place, we think unjustly, for we are convinced, from long experi∣ence, that under proper management, it is a valuable grass; it grows in all soils, and in all situations; early in the Spring, and late in Autumn; and even thro' Win∣ter, on dry soils and in open weather: the only reason∣able objection we know of, is the great propensity it hath to run to seed; but this may be easily obviated, by eating it bare with cattle, or by mowing the pasture just before Page  198it begins to flower, which increases the eatage, by the quantity of bottom grass it sends forth after the opera∣tion.

It is the properest grass we know, to sow along with red or white clover; and we would beg leave to recom∣mend it, instead of common hay-seeds, so universally sown in this county, with clover, both red and white.

SECT 3.—Hay Harvest.

The hay harvest is here in the months of July and August; the modes of management various, according to the nature of the grass, weather, and notions of the farm∣er: we do not find any thing peculiarly excellent in their practice; the only singularity is, that the occupiers of small farms, in some parts of the county, put the whole of their hay into barns; the larger farmers stack their's at the door.

SECT. 4—Feeding.

The most general system of grazing is,—on the richest grounds, cattle with a few sheep; on the less luxuriant, sheep only.

The kinds of cattle usually fatted are the native coun∣try breed, and Scotch cattle, both Kyloes and the Gal∣loway kind. Of these, they sind the Kyloes the quickest feeders, the Galloway next, and their own country breed of long horns the slowest.

The prosits of grazing cattle depend much on the skill of the buyer, in selecting the quickest feeders; and, when fat, in selling them for their full value; also, not unfre∣quently, on the state of markets.

The best grazing lands we saw were at Pap Castle, near Cockermouth, let at 3l per acre; and the holm lands on both sides the Eden, near Carlisle, let at 2l. 10s. per acre, for the purposes of grazing only. Mr Tealson, of the Page  199former place, buys in oxen and heifers in October, keeps them all Winter upon the pastures out of which his fat stock has been recently sold, and gives them a little hay in bad weather. After keeping them near twelve months, they leave, on an average, a profit of 5l each; their weight, from fifty to sixty stone. But this interligent gentleman was candid enough to confess, that he thought sheep, mixed amongst cattle, a more profitable system; and we were glad to find this mode practised by all the best gra∣ziers in the county.

Of Sheep-grazing, there are two branches; first, feed∣ing wethers; and, secondly, ewes for fat lambs: they are both bought in the Autumn, are kept on grass the whole time, and get no other food, except hay in stormy wea∣ther.

There are a few who buy in wethers, to feed upon tur∣nips, Page  200and sell them in the Spring, to Manchester and Liverpool.

The kinds of sheep grazed are, the country breed, the true black-faced heath sheep, and the Cheviot sheep. The most experienced graziers all agreed, that the true black-faced heath sheep were quicker feeders, and a hardier race, than the Cheviot.*