Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-06-04
Agricultural.


Horny I. French, Esq, who spent the last
season in Europe, examining and studying
the different systems of agriculture, commu-
nicates to the Now England Fiumcr a de-
scription Of an English farm, which we doubt
not will interest aud entertain all readers. --
lie says
Butler Abby is the residence of Thomas
Crisp Esq. one Of the most noted breeders Of
short horned cattle of swine and of Suffolk
cart-hoses in that part of England. spent sew
eral days rndcr his hospitable roof, and gave
his stock of animals pretty thorough exam
ination. He farms about 5000 acres and has
hundreds of cattle and horses and thousands
of sheen. Perhaps ride round the farm, for
it is quite too largo to walk over, may give
the reader an idea of large farmer affairs
in that part of England. Mr.. Crisp is like
most farmers, a tenant, and not the owner of
the land he occupies. These tonenccs, usu-
allv find are not by written lease, but by
sort Of unders landing, not quite definite for
my taste. regulated much by the customs of
the particular estate. 4 large proprietor,
Lord somebody, or the Duke of something,
owns some, 5000 to 10000 acres which
has been in the family thousand years, or
at least from the time of William the Con-
qucrcr. This proprietor usually gives no per-
soneral attention TO his estate so far as the
rents are concerned, but intcusts all such af-
fairs to steward, who makes his bargains
with the tenants, and the lard Of the domain
sometimes does not oven visit farm in a
generation; the tenant occupies at fixed
rate, which he pays half-yearly in cash ana
although neither party is bound for more than
the year. the tenant often occupies for his
lifetime. and tho son takes the farm at his de-
cease. Landlords are willing to give long
leases but tenants seem to prefer the yearly
system. as far az have observed
The tencnt farmer seems to 20 on and make
the permanent improvements often at great
expense, and lays out his work as if he owned
the fee simple; and on the whole, homes arc
more permanent in this land of mere tenants
than in the land Of fee simple owners, with
migratory habits The farmer pays rent OF
saw five dollars an acre annually for his land
and conducts his operations in his own way.
provided he does not cut down trees, pillow up
any pasture land, OF disturb the game. such
as hares. pbeasants. and pattridges. which 90
where they please, and do as much damage as
thew like. nnmolested
A keeper-that is. a game keeper-liyes
ON the estate. whose business it is to protect
the game and catch the poachers who pre-
sumo to touch these animals. which are held
as sacred as the geese in Romes capital.-
The game laws are. and ever have been, a
fruitless source of crime and suffering. and
always will be till human nature is thought,
changed. On every estate whore have been
have noticed with Indignation the ravager
of these useless animals called game in In,
fields of the finest wheat, while neither farm
or nor laborer dares oven to drive them away
on a penalty of his lords displeasure. and tn,
loss Of his lease next year. will say. how
ever, that properly viewed, this waste of hu
man food is not the loss Of the farmer. bu
of the landlord, because land not subject tc
the preservation of game is for that reaso,
leased at higher rate.
There are no large barns for grain and ha,
in the south Of England as with us. but thos
products which we so carefully protect arr
never housed have discussed the tonic
good deal with farmers here. and thew boy,
reasons for their course; some cannot ven