[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 03 Feb 1816 - Cumberland and its Agriculture (1)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 03 Feb 1816   (p. 4, col. 3-4)

 

CUMBERLAND AND ITS AGRICULTURE. 

 

Several years ago, at the instance of the Board of Agriculture, Agricultural Surveys were made of each county in the kingdom for the
consideration and information of the Board. These Surveys have been arranged and just reprinted, with some additional information,
and observations. As Agriculture is particularly attended to by all classes, at the present moment, we shall make some extracts from
the Cumberland Report, principally to such as have not been affected by time, and which, no doubt, will be new to a great number of
our youthful readers, at least, if not to those more advanced in years. Too much attention cannot be paid to subjects of this
nature, and more particularly when they possess a local character, and tend to general improvement. 

 

EXTRACTS. 

 

               "Here stupendous Alpine mountains rear 

               Their rocky sides, and rushing torrents roar: 

               There lies the smooth expansive Lake, the fertile Vale, 

               Ane [sic] cultur'd Fields and Gardens smile around; 

               And careless herds and flocks securely stray." 

 

"In a county like Cumberland, enjoying such an extent of sea coast, and where so large a portion is occupied by mountains, and those
reckoned amongst the highest in the kingdom,* the climate must be various. Along the coast, and a considerable way up the rivers,
the snow seldom lies above 24 hours; but upon the mountains the snow will continue for 6 or 8 months: of course the lower parts of
the county are mild and temperate, while upon the higher grounds, and upon the mountains and their vicinity, the air is cold and
piercing; but the whole is healthy though subject to great and frequent falls of rain, particularly in the autumn, which makes their
harvests very precarious and expensive. 

 

"The soil is various, but may be classed under four different heads:-1st. Fertile Clays, or rather rich strong Loams, occupy but a
small portion of this county: formerly, this kind of soil was generally employed in grazing, or the dairy; but since the
introduction of growing wheat, it has been converted into tillage, and produces excellent crops of wheat. 

 

"2nd, Dry Loams, including the various degrees, from the rich brown loam to the light sandy soils. This is the most prevalent,
occupying a greater portion of the county than any other; not only the lower districts but the steep sides of the mountains, are in
general of this soil; and in many places, even their summits, are covered with a dry sound earth, producing green sward, with little
heath. We suppose, at least, one half of the lower or cultivatable district, is of this valuable soil, excellently adapted to the
culture of turnips, artificial grasses, the various species of grain, and of breeding and feeding the most improved kinds of stock,
particularly sheep, it being perfectly sound, or safe from the rot. 

 

"3rd, Wet Loam generally on a clay bottom. The fertility of this soil is various, depending on the thickness of the staple, and the
nature of the clay below: it is dangerous for sheep, but may be applied with advantage to keeping cows for the dairy, breeding young
cattle and horses, and to the culture of wheat, oats, clover, and hay-grass. 

 

"4th, Black Peat Earth, is most prevalent on the mountainous districts, particularly those adjoining Northumberland and Durham: it
is also found on moors or commons in the lower parts of the county; in some places only a few inches thick, upon a white sand, well
known to those whose lot it has been to cultivate it, to be an ungrateful and unprofitable soil. 

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* The highest mountains in the kingdom are-Benevish, in Scotland, 4,350 feet, the highest in Scotland; Benlomond, do., 3,240 f.;
Snowdon, in Wales, 3,456 f., the highest in Wales; Cross-fell, in Cumberland, 3,400 f.; Helvellin, do., 3,324 f.; Skiddaw, do.,
3.270 f.; Saddleback, do., 3,048 f.,-the four last the highest in England. Blackhouse heights, in Selkirkshire, 2,370 f.; Ettrick
Pin, do., 2,200; Carterfell, Roxburghshire, 1,602 f.; Whernside, Yorkshire, 1,350 f.; Ingleborough, 1239 feet." 

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[to be continued] 

 

 

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