Journal entry – John Grey – 16 Oct 1833

Wednesday 16th October 



Spindleston Estate

Drove by the Coast Road from Howick to Glororum, passing through that farm & then inspecting those of Spindleston, Warren, Outchester & Chesterhill, upon which I found that my Son has been engaged all the forenoon in looking over the grounds & taking down the state of the tillage, having previously given him directions to meet me there for the purpose.  In this district generally, the harvest has been good, the quality of the grain being superior to that of last year, turnips also are promising.  Still the prices of grain are considerably below a remunerating standard at the present Rents.  At Chesterhill I examined the pump which had been put up.  The Boiler of the Machine engine which had been repaired at a Cost of £35.19.8 for which Mr Thompson entreats repayment & the draining which he had been been allowed for in the Summer, all of which has been done effectually.  Mr Thomson states that he has been annually a loser by the farm, & that unless he can obtain an abatement, he must relinquish the residence of his Lease, a written application for which, he will give me.  In the prospect of having the farm perhaps to let anew, I thought it advisable to take a close view of it, and suggested to Mr Thomson a change in the rotation of cropping which would give the land the relief of growing grass between a course of corn crops & increase its productiveness.  Also a different division of two large fields, including soil of different qualities & not calculated for the same kind of management.  Mr Thomson admitted that the change would be an improvement, & that in case of his continuing in the farm for a prolonged term, he would gladly adopt it.   At Outchester, which in my opinion is the highest rented farm for the quality of the land, upon all this property, & of which the tenant grievously complains, although there is an extensive set of Offices, the folds are too large, requiring a great number of Cattle to be fed together, so that the weaker ones are driven back & do not thrive.  Davison wishes to have one at least, divided and a small shed erected to hold the smallest of the Cattle, which would doubtless be useful, & which considering the extent of the farm & the high rent paid for it, I think it right to grant him.  Left Outchester in the evening & drove to Mr Culleys of Fowberry to sleep.