situation" (!!)" in the room of each felled, could neither be arbitary nor unjust." !!! *

The chapter under notice occupies twentyfour pages of the volume; chiefly with an elaborate detail of "Forest Trees" growing in various parts of Berkshire; each species being separately treated of. In that detail, however, we meet with little that is interesting.-The Beech appears to be a prevailing species, and we are told the woods of it are generally well managed.

The subjoined extract conveys a concise yet intelligent sketch of the natural woods of the County under Report.P. 312. "The best wooded tracks in Berkshire, exclusive of the Forest, are to the south of the Kennet, several parishes on the north, and along the banks of the Thames, at intervals, and some miles interior, from Streatley to Cookham, where there are entire woods of beech. Bagley wood, near Oxford, likewise deserves to be particularized. Except in hedge rows, or in parks, the greatest part of the standard trees grows in those districts. The whole quantity of wood land exceeds 30,000 acres."

Planting.-On this operation, not much is said. Berkshire is not, emphatically speaking, a planting County. Dr. M. names some few gentlemen planters; particularly Mr. Loveden, who has planted about 200 acres.

AGRICULTUR E.

FARMS.-Sizes.—In

ARMS.-Sizes.-In the legitimate section," Size of Farms," the annual rents of farms, and the rental value of land, by the acre, in the several parishes of the Countyclassed according to its natural districts,-are noted. By that list, the sizes of farms in Berkshire rise from 40 or 50 to 300 or 400l. a year. A few to 500 or 600l. The Reporter at the close of it, says, p. 88, "on the whole, I think I am warranted in taking the average rent of farms throughout the county at 150. a year."-Hence, let it be said, Berkshire is fortunately circumstanced, regarding the sizes of its farms.

HOMESTEADS, Of Yeomen.-P. 62. "In passing through a part of Berkshire where yeomanry abound, and where their residences have an air of gentility, and frequently of elegance,

For the mischievous tendency of such a law, see almost every volume I have written. See, also, James and Co.'s Hampshire, ensuing.

elegance, a youth who accompanied me, and who belonged to a county not remarkable for good farm houses, several times asked me, as he came in sight of a Berkshire farmer's habitation, What gentleman's seat is this?'

"I do not, however, mean from this to infer that these houses are too good; but I wish to mark the impression their appearance made, when contrasted with a neighbouring county. A yeoman possessing from 200l. to 600l. a year in landed property, and who occupies his domain himself, may well rank with a gentleman of three times the nominal income, who lives solely on his rent, and is entitled to every corresponding accommodation."

Of Tenants.-P. 65. "The farm buildings belonging to the rack-renters and lifehold tenantry, and more especially such as have no leases, are generally inferior to those of the yeomanry, and the tenure may in some measure be discovered by the style of the accommodations."

Some gentlemen's farmeries-particularly Mr. Loveden's-are noticed.

Materials of Farm Buildings.-P. 67. "In the eastern parts of the county, and along the line of the Kennet, the farm buildings are commonly, of brick, tiled, and possess some degree of elegance. In the north-western parts they are chiefly of stone, covered with Oxfordshire slates; and on the whole are inferior in appearance and accommodations. Too many of the outhouses and barns are still thatched, a mode of covering not less dangerous than expensive, if the frequency of repairs be taken into the account. The practice, however, is gradually discontinuing, and in another age will probably become obsolete."

OCCUPIERS.-Proprietors.-P. 113. "From the most accurate calculations I have been able to make, about one-third of the whole county is occupied by the proprietors of the soil."

Yeomen.-P. 50. "In the parish of Winkfield, consisting of nearly 10,000 acres, the largest estate is under 400 acres; nor is this moderate distribution unusual in many other parishes of Berkshire. Hence, a high spirited and independent yeomanry, actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, and each forming a circle of connection around him, is the distinguishing character of the county. The gradations of society have here no broken links: from the highest to the lowest, there is a gradully ascending or descending scale. In such a state we may look for patriotism without interest, and a display of generous feelings without the dread of offence. It is here that the influence of love can do much; the influence of power or property, little. It was observed on a particular occasion by the late lamented Mr. Pitt, and I quote

quote the dictum on the authority of a highly respectable gentleman to whom it was made, that no minister of this country could command ten votes in Berkshire.' This sufficiently marks the independence of the county, and is the highest eulogium that can be paid to it."

Tenants.-P. 89. "Without any partial praise, the character of the Berkshire farmer unquestionably deserves to stand high. The yeomanry have aiready been mentioned with due applause; and the influence of their example descends to the rack-renters," (tenants) "many of whon. are not inferior in point of education and manners, and in the spirit with which they carry on agricultural improvements, when circumstances allow them to exert their native energies.

"In short, a hospitable style of living, liberality of sentiment, and independence of principle, are characteristic of the Berkshire farmer, to which he unites persevering industry and integrity in his dealings, which render him worthy of the comforts he enjoys."

PLAN of MANAGEMENT. The Reporter of Berkshire, in conformity, it would seem, with other Reporters to the Board, has allowed ample space in which to enumerate the "Rotations of Crops." Dr. Mavor's plan of collecting matter for this section differs widely, however, from that of many or most of his fellow-laborers. Instead of listening in conversation to the crude plans of novitial amateurs,without enquiring as to the soil, situation, or other circumstance, the Doctor has given us the established practices of professional men; not only in every district of the County, but in several particular parishes in each district; and, in most instances, has informed his readers of the nature of the lands on which the several practices have been established. His own explanation of his plan here follows.

P. 165. "From the variety of soils of which Berkshire consists, a different course of crops, as well as a different mode of tillage, must of necessity be introduced; and on this important point I have studied to inform myself as minutely as possible. Without, however, presuming to censure or applaud every particular practice, I shall lay the rotation of crops at present usually adopted by the best agriculturists before my readers; and in order that others may judge of the propriety or impropriety of the system pursued, shall briefly notice the distinction of soils in the spots brought under review."

As a specimen, I insert the Report of the parish of Reading, in the Valley of the Kennet.

P. 176. "Soil gravel, rich mould, strong clay, and some sand, with chalk as a substratum in several places. Rota

tion of crops various. Occasionally, 1. Clean fallows; 2. Wheat, with clover in the Spring; 3. Beans; 4. Oats; or if the land is clean, and in good heart, the skim is sometimes used, and with two or three plowings, wheat sown again. On the light gravelly soil, however, another course is in practice. 1. Turnips; 2. Barley and grass; 3. Wheat; 4. Barley, or oats. Spring wheat is sometimes sown after turnips."

I will also insert what is reported of another parish, for the sake of the note appending to it.-P. 175. "Shalbourn*. Strong deep soil, some flint and gravel. Well adapted for beans and wheat, which are the staple produce. The same applies to Inkpen, &c."

WORKPEOPLE.-General Character.-P. 481. "The lower classes are a hardy and personable race, patient of labour, but impatient of control, when they think it improperly exerted. In a word, they have a laudable pride, which, properly regulated, might be productive of the best consequences, and would lead to that love of independence,† which I assume as the foundation of all moral excellence; because it cannot be separated from industry, frugality, and honorable conduct!"

Labourers.-P. 415. "A day labourer is paid from 9s. to 12s. per week, according to situation: the more remote from the metropolis, and from towns, the lower the wages in general. In towns, a labourer will sometimes have 14s. per week allowed him. A woman will occasionally earn 3s. or 4s., and a boy from 2s. to 3s. 6d."

Servants.-P. 416. "Farmers in general keep no more servants in the house than they can possibly help. A carter is paid from nine to twelve guineas a year; an under carter from

"Prosperous Farm, in this parish, was the spot where Mr. Jethro Tull carried on and perfected his interesting experiments in the horse hoeing husbandry. He died in 1740."

+ Love of Independence. These might be deemed dangerous words, when speaking in a general way of the laboring classes. It is a love of independence, among those whom circumstances have doomed to labor for a scanty living, that breeds Poachers, Smugglers, Highwaymen and Housebreakers.

It is, nevertheless, a cardinal virtue in a farm workman, in the first instance, to do his best endeavor to render himself and his family independent of charity. His next virtuous pride is that of inhabiting a cottage and garden which he can call his own: and the highest, to occupy a small tenement, as a working farmer.-Such, I conceive, are the sorts of independence which ought to be expressly held out, as belonging to servants and workmen in husbandry. These remarks are not particularly pointed at Dr. Mavor. Others of the Board's Reporters have conveyed similar sentiments, in a less guarded manner.

from four to seven guineas; a shepherd from eight to ten guineas, and the run of a few sheep; a boy from two to three guineas; a dairy maid from five to ten guineas, according to her qualifications; a house maid from five to seven guineas.'

"Nurseries of Servants.-P. 416. It is greatly to be lamented, that good servants every year become more scarce and difficult to be found. The best domestics used to be found among the sons and daughters of little farmers; they were brought up in good principles, and in habits of industry; but since that valuable order of men has been so generally reduced in every county, and almost annihilated in some, servants are of necessity taken from a lower description of persons, and the consequences are felt in most families.'

There is much truth in those remarks. But they more closely apply to the servants of gentlemen, clergy, and others, than to mere farm servants.

WORKING ANIMALS.-For the Breed of Working Horses, see that article, ensuing.

For the folly attached to Horse Teams, see Markets, p. 75, aforegoing.

Plow Team.-N. P. 121. "With the heavy Berkshire two wheel plough, four horses, two abreast, are commonly used when the land is pretty dry; or four at length, when wet, sometimes five!"

Comparison of Horses with Oxen.-I find nothing under this head that requires notice, here, expecting the opinion of "Mr. Frost, his Majesty's Bailiff" on this unsettled point. -P. 403. “I am clear in my opinion, that if oxen were properly attended to, we should be able to maintain onethird more people in England, and feed them with more animal food."

IMPLEMENTS.-To this popular subject, among men of genius and inexperience, some considerable share of attention has been paid, in the Report now under consideration. Twenty pages of letterpress, and twentyseven engravings have been expended on its elucidation.-lu examining the Reporter's chapter "Implements of Husbandry," with wonted solicitude, my attention was rarely stayed. The few short passages that follow were the only ones which employed my pencil in marking my approval.

Waggon.-P. 118. "Mr. Loveden, whose name is so often mentioned with deserved respect in this Report, puts narrow fore-wheels to his waggons, and broad behind, in order to prevent injury to tender grass land. The hind wheels roll over the track made by the fore, and cancel the mischief they have done."-This happy thought I register, here, with peculiar interest.

G 2

Plows.