As we look at it today, the countryside of East Yorkshire is generally a patchwork of fields, containing a variety of crops, from oilseed rape to potatoes. It appears as a timeless scene, depicting the practice of farming that has gone on here for centuries. Although it’s true that East Yorkshire has long been a rural economy, the county has actually changed more than we imagine.
A rare book, dating back to 1794 and now held at the East Riding Archives and Local Studies Service in Beverley, shows us what farming was like in East Yorkshire at the time of the agricultural revolution. The ‘General View Of The Agriculture Of The East Riding’ is a publication that was funded by the Board of Agriculture and Internal Improvement. It provides observations on farming practices in the area, and makes recommendations for how farmers can improve their methods.
Collections Officer, Sam Bartle, said: “The book illustrates a time when agriculture was in a period of revolutionary development. Farming practices were coming under increased scrutiny, there was greater experimentation, and increasing mechanisation.”
One of the most interesting points to note in the book is how much the Yorkshire Wolds were devoted to sheep farming, a practice that has largely given way to arable (crop) farming nowadays:
“A great number of sheep are kept upon the Wolds … most of which are of the long-wooled kind … A stock of sheep is of such importance to the farmer, grazier, manufacturer, and merchant, and indeed to the public in general, that on the Wolds … no more land should be ploughed than may be requisite to produce turnips for their accommodation.”
The book also refers to the large trade of exporting cattle and horses from Hull to Russia, and mentions in great detail about fertilising techniques used in the days before modern chemical fertilisers:
“A great quantity of dung comes from Hull, by water, to many parts of the Riding … It consists of stable dung, sweepings of the streets, and ashes … A great quantity of soot and pigeon’s dung is also used, with some rape dust … These are generally spread upon the surface by hand.”
A brief note also shows that, sixty years before the first official ‘Driffield Show’, the market town was already holding the only annual show of its kind in the East Riding:
“In September, there is a show at Driffield of rams, bulls, boars, and heifers, and premiums are given to the best; which excites an emulation, and not only considerably promotes the improvement of the breed of stock, but affords the uninformed an opportunity of seeing such as are deemed good, and of hearing the sentiments of men eminent in the line of breeding … this is the only society established in this Riding …”
The book, part of the local studies printed collection, is available to read, by reference only, in the Archives and Local Studies searchroom at the Treasure House, Beverley. A photocopy of the book will also be on hand for inspection at Driffield Show, on the service’s stand in the East Riding of Yorkshire Council marquee.
For further details, please call (01482) 392790 or visit either the Treasure House, or East Riding of Yorkshire Council marquee at Driffield Show on Wednesday 20th July.
