Journal entry – John Grey – 1 May 1834

Thursday 1st May 1834



Heard from Mr Nairn that he had got the Limekiln at Spindleston examined by a Mason accustomed to Kilns, who reported it to be in want of lining throughout, and otherwise faulty in construction.  His estimate for the necessary repair is £36.10.0.   I wrote to Mr Nairn asking him to be good enough to obtain other Estimates for the work alone, as the Tenants who use the Kilns must lead the Materials.  Rode to Bagraw to see the tenant who leaves at May day & had not come to settle his rent and Arrears.  He promises to pay some Money next week & to bring me an order from Langley Mills for the amount due to him for Lead Carriage, after which, there is the growing Crop, as security for the remainder, which if unpaid at harvest, I may sell by auction.  In this way I hope to get clear with him, without the exposure to him & unpleasantness to me of selling him off.   



Proceeded to East Elrington to look at some repairs needful at the farm house, but to small extent, thence to Woodhall where Mr Hunt has commenced some draining which produces a great deal of Water & promises to be very effective.  The present tenant entered to this farm last May & found the land and fences in miserable order.  Some of the latter I found it necessary to renew, & caused Mr Hunt to pay particular attention to the planting & care of the young Thorns - yet on my journey there today, I had the provocation of seeing a thick old hedge cut or rather hacked down, in the barbarous mode of this country, & even worse than that, bad as it is, in spite of all the instruction they have had the example of good cutting, by an experienced Hedger.  In consequence of which, I shall take care that no further expense shall be incurred in making new hedges for one who takes such effectual means of spoiling the old. 



Examined Woodhall Mill, with a view to ascertain the necessity for all the items contained in Murray’s Estimate, & found them to be very bad with the exception of two of inferior consequence, in which a reduction may be made.  Proceeded homeward through the farms of Langholm & Coastley, inspecting at the latter, the working in fallow of a steep Field which it is proposed to lay off to permanent pasture, for which the Hospital is to pay for the Lime & Grass seeds;  and the draining wch I had formerly marked out, with the double view of drying a tract of cold & wet land which the tenant is bringing into cultivation by paring & burning, & at the same time adding to the supply of Water for Thrashing at a cheaper rate than carrying it by an aqueduct across the Bogle dean, as projected.   The former I am sure will be effected, & the latter too in some measure though the quantity of water produced by draining is too small for such a purpose.