Agriculture - July-September 1871

In 1871, agriculture was the largest single sector in the UK, accounting for over a third of the workforce and contributing roughly a quarter of the Gross National Product (GNP). In the region of 50% of the population relied on the land for their income. Horses remained the primary source of power, but mechanisation was accelerating. In 1871, about a quarter of all British grain was harvested using machines, a number that rapidly increased as the labour force shrank.

The year marked a precarious peak for the industry before the onset of a massive agricultural depression and over the next decade, unfavourable conditions led workers to migrate to towns and cities. The era was defined by a critical transition in farming methods and global economics.

The Devonshire Agricultural Society

The Alwington Harvest Home will be celebrated. There will be a public tea at four o’clock and a thanksgiving service at half-past six. The sermon will be preached by the Rev E G Sandford, Chaplain to the Bishop of Exeter. The Rector (Rev Herbert Barnes) will be glad to see a goodly company, and to welcome as many of his Bideford friends as may be disposed to attend the festival. Later, this report …

Penelope Westacott, the wife of a farmer living at Swimbridge, who attended the court in very fashionable attire and who was defended by Mr I Bencraft, was charged with exposing and offering for sale, in the Appledore market, a quantity of meat which was unwholesome and unfit for human food.

Visit W & J Abbott, Agricultural Implement Stores, 18 High Street, Bideford.

For mangold wurzell, carrots and turnips …

Bideford Farmers’ Club meet in the Reading-room, Grenville-street …

Visit H Tardrew, 9 High Street, Bideford for agricultural implements, and they can send ‘experienced Men to Reap and Mow at very reasonable rates’ ..

‘Game and rabbits wanted. Gentlemen having Game or Rabbits to dispose of will find a ready sale at best prices at R Belben’s, Meddon Street, Bideford.’

A plain and orthodox harvest thanksgiving service is held at St Mary’s Church, Bideford…

Sale of draft stock by Mr Mark Westaway, Cleverdon Farm, Bradworthy …

Buckland Brewer harvest thanksgiving service …

A serious accident happened to a lad named Hearn in the employ of Mr Fisher, of Ash Farm, Frithelstock. He was working a large turnip drill with two horses when one of his hands became entangled in the machinery and seriously crushed. Mr Rouse, surgeon, of Torrington, was sent for, and the amputation of three of the fingers was found to be necessary.

A freehold estate, water corn mill, and lands, at Frithelstock for sale. Known as Stretchacott, South Combe, and Drummett’s Mill Lands.

A letter to the ‘farmers of Hartland’ from a ‘Constant Reader’

Hartland harvest is celebrated.

At the Hatherleigh Petty Sessions, Mr Allen was charged by Mr Adams, an excise officer, with using two farm horses for drawing timber without having the necessary licence, and was fined £5 for each horse, the Bench recommending a further reduction; and George Squires, was fined £5 for using a horse and spring cart without a licence. Cornelius Chammings was summoned for impounding nine cows, the property of Mr T King of Meeth, and keeping them in too small a space without sufficient food and water; he was also charged with cruelty by not milking them for 31 hours, in consequence of which one of the cows died. Mr Floud defended; and the Magistrates, after hearing the evidence, being equally divided, the case fell through.

At the Holsworthy Petty Sessions, John Stacey, James Olde and Samuel Glover were fined for having unjust weights in their possession, and several persons were fined for allowing their cattle to stray.

Langtree harvest gathering …

A harvest thanksgiving service was held in Merton church, which was beautifully decorated with grain and flowers by the Misses Kempe. The service was choral throughout, and an excellent sermon was preached by the Rev Prebendary Kempe.

At Torrington, the annual July fair, the smallest of the kind held during the year, was observed, when the supply of cattle was very limited. Many farmers and dealers were present and as there was a large demand sales were readily effected. Steers from two to three years olf realised from £11 to £13 each, cows and calves £11 to £19; barreners 8s per score, store hogs from 28s to 30s each, and fat sheep 8d per lb.

In July 1871, grain prices are …

At Bideford County Court, the only interesting case heard before the court – for the business disposed of was singularly devoid was singularly devoid of interest to the public – was that of Cleverton v Hopper, the plaintiff claiming 4s as compensation for the loss of a pig’s entrails. The parties live at Woolfardisworthy, and it appeared that the inhabitants of that village are accustomed …

A society to be called Westward Ho! and North Devon Agricultural Society …