Journal entry – John Grey – 27 Nov 1833

Wednesday 27th November



After attending to some matters in the Office, the Snow having disappeared, I took Mr Hunt to see the fences on Dilston New Town South Farm, which I had observed to be treated in such a manner as to ensure their speedy destruction, advised him as to the best means of endeavouring to recover them, & instructed him to take the Tenant to examine them & enjoin him to adopt a different treatment of his hedges in future.  We then proceeded to examine the Farm of Wooley for the purpose of deciding what land should be reserved as permanent pasture at the ensuing letting, & to ascertain the quantities to be allowed in tillage & most suitable rotation of cropping.  This farm, though generally consisting of poor soil & rather unfavourably situated is upon the whole in rather creditable condition, no advantage having been taken of it with a view to a surrender of the Lease; & I found the occupier very ready to admit that the alteration which I proposed in the mode of management by insisting upon two years grass between each course of Corn crops, would increase the productiveness of the land.  I had understood that this farm was managed by Mr Blackburn on account of Cook’s children, but now I find that Cook’s widow having been unable to carry it on, the Stock etc was purchased by her brother Mr Blackburn, who became the tenant on his own account by permission, & that the loss of the Farm for the last years having been his individually, he considers himself intitled to be treated with as the old tenant, should any preference be given, and from his treatment of the farm, as well as his possession of property, it is not likely that we should obtain a better tenant.