AGRICULTURAL REPORT, WEXFORD COUNTY, 1849
Report of Patrick VAUGHAN, practical Instructor in Agriculture to Wexford Union Agricultural Society which was published in the Wexford Independent on 14 April 1849.
(March 1) – Entered the demesne of BANNOW – called on Mr. Samuel WARRENER, BALLYGOW.
Found him in the act of draining, but, according to my views not on the best principle. However, after mutual discussion, he seemed to enter fully into my views, and promised that in the future he would act on my principles.
Thomas CAHILL, CULLINSTOWN. Found him draining a field, only 18 inches deep. Succeeded in convincing him his drains were too shallow and much too large.
Nicholas SYNNOTT, BALLYMADDEN, who promised to sow green crops in 1849. Did not sow any in 1849.
Edward HARPER. Not at home. Also called on Patrick JORDON, who promised me he would take my advice in draining. Some of his land is at present in a very unprofitable condition.
(March 2) Called on the undernamed tenants of James BOYSE Esquire:
James JOHNSON. No turnips in 1848. Promised to put down 2 acres in 1849.
John BARRY, BALLYTROM. Had about half an acre of turnips in 1848. Will sow 2 acres of turnips in 1849.
Thomas JOHNSON, BALLYTROM. Holding 20 acres. Not at home.
John SCALLAN, BALLYTROM holds 50 acres. Had a quarter acre of turnips and 3 acres of potatoes in 1848. His potatoes a total failure. Will sow 3 acres of turnips and 2 acres of potatoes in 1849.
Patrick CODD, LITTLE GRAIGEEN holds 50 acres. Had a quarter acre of turnips and 3 acres of potatoes in 1848. His potatoes a total failure. Will sow 3 acres of turnips and 2 acres of potatoes in 1849.
Henry CORISH, COOLHULL, holds 50 acres. Had 2 acres of turnips and 3 acres of potatoes in 1848. Will put down 3 acres of turnips and 2 of potatoes in 1849. Had a quarter acre of mangel in 1848. Will sow 1 acre in 1849. He has drained 4 acres on the Deanston principle and I feel bound to state that, from my arrival in this part of the country, I have not seen any drainage so well executed.
Robert STAFFORD, COOLHULL, holds 66 acres. Ha 3 acres of turnips and 3 acres of potatoes in 1848. Potatoes a total failure. Will put down 4 acres of turnips and 2 acres of potatoes in 1849.
Mrs. STAFFORD, COOLISHEA, Holds 24 acres. Had 1 acre of turnips and 2 acres of potatoes in 1848. Will put down 2 acres of turnips; 1 acre of nangel and 1 acre of potatoes in 1849.
David STAFFORD, LITTLE GRANGE. Had 2 acres of turnips and 4 acres of potatoes in 1848. Potatoes a total failure. Intends to put down 4 acres of turnips and 2 of potatoes in 1849.
William STAFFORD, COOLSESKIN, holds 50 acres. Had ? (illegible) acres of turnips in 1849. Intends putting down 4 acres in 1849. He states that, were it not for the turnips, he never could get on.
James ROCHE, holds 45 acres. Had 4 acres of potatoes in 1848 which totally failed. He states that he is determined never to depend on the potato again. He had no turnips in 1848 but states that he will put down 2 acres in 1849.
Michael FURLONG, holds 35 acres from Mr. BOYSE and 40 from Sir Francis LOFTUS. Had no turnips in 1848. Will sow 2 acres in 1849.
Stephen COLFER, DANESCASTLE, holds about 80 acres. Had 6 acres of potatoes and 1 acre of turnips; potatoes a failure in 1848. Will sow 4 acres of turnips and 3 acres of potatoes in 1849.
Matthew ROSSITER, BANNOW, holds 31 acres. Had 3 acres of potatoes in 1848; partial failure. Will grow in 1849 one acre of turnips.
Andrew CULLEN, BANNOW, holds 40 acres. Had 3 potatoes but no turnips in 1848. He intends putting down 2 acres of turnips in 1849.
Bart CULLEN, BANNOW, holds 40 acres. Had 3 acres of potatoes in 1848; his potato crop a total failure. Will sow 2 acres of turnips in 1849.
John WHITE, BANNOW, holds about 50 acres. He states that he had 7 acres of potatoes in 1848, a total failure. Had no turnips in 1848. In consequence of the very serious loss he sustained by the failure of the potato crop, he is now determined to change his mode of operation and to put down 3 acres of turnips and 2 acres of potatoes in 1848.
Patrick ROSSITER, holds about 50 acres of land. Had no turnips in 1848. However, I feel happy in being able to state that I succeeded in convincing him that his mode of proceeding was not the right one. He intends to put down 2 acres of turnips in 1849.
Now in conclusion, I beg leave to state that it can be easily imagined how different an aspect this fine and interesting property will assume in 1849 from what it did in 1848.
(March 3) – Returned from BANNOW
(March 4 and 6) – Stopped in town for the purpose of making out a report for a meeting of the Committee to be held on the 7th. I submitted my report to the meeting.
(March 13) – I spent this day in the neighborhood of KILLINICK. Visited the following persons:
Thomas HORE holds 37 acres. Had two and a half acres of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Intends putting down the same quantity of potatoes in 1849. This man seems determined not to sow any turnips. His crops look well, and his farm seems to be well cultivated.
James CORISH holds 6 acres. Had a quarter acre potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down a quarter acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849. His land seems to be very well cultivated. His house and garden are remarkable for neatness.
In the townland of BALLYDUSKER, called on Michael MURPHY. Holds 23 acres. Had one acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. The same quantity of potatoes and no turnips in 1849. This land appears to be fairly managed.
James ROGERS holds 15 acres. Had a quarter of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down one acre of potatoes in 1849.
Mrs. FORTUNE holds 14 acres. Had one acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down the same quantity of potatoes in 1849. Does not intend to sow any turnips.
On little Asaly, Patrick JOYCE holds 30 acres. Had one acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down the same quantity of potatoes in 1849 and one acre of turnips.
Nicholas MURPHY holds 16 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Intends putting down one and a half acres of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849.
Patrick WALSH holds 6 acres. Had one acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Intends putting down the same quantity in 1849.
James SCALLAN, SANCTUARY, holds 4 acres. Had a quarter acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1849.
Walked over many other farms in this locality; there seems to exist such a perfect uniformity of management with respect to their agricultural pursuits that I deem it useless to enter into further particulars. I fee bound to state that in this quarter I have made very few converts to the most approved mode of agriculture. The people here seem determined to persevere in their old, but, I think, very mistaken mode of cultivation. However I think, if my advice does not induce them to change their present methods, necessity will before long compel them to do so.
(March 16 and 17) – Went to TAGOAT. Called on Major BOYD. Met himself and his son, Captain BOYD, at home, both of whom accompanied me over a considerable part of his extensive property in
this district. We first visited a number of his small landholders, occupying, I should think, on an average about 10 acres each. It was truly gratifying to witness with what delight those poor industrious fellows received their kind landlord; their natural protector. In fact everything in and about them clearly demonstrates what may be effected by a good resident landlord. Their dwellings and offices, although small, are clean and comfortable. Generally speaking they manage their land very fairly. Major BOYD used every exertion to induce them to adopt an improved mode of cultivation; but, although they look up to him as the kindest and best of benefactors, so wedded are they to their old habits that I think he will find it very difficult to wean them from them.
After getting through all the small landholders, we proceeded to visit men holding more extensive tracts of land. Visited about fifteen of these farms containing, I should think, on an average, about 40 acres each. Generally speaking their mode of agriculture is carried on very fairly; but there are two among them who are far in advance of the rest. These two are John COONEY and John SINNOTT, bot residing near TAGOAT.
John COONEY holds 40 acres. Has an excellent dwelling house and out-offices, a good farm-yard, his stock of a very fair description, his tillage fields well arranged and in a high state of cultivation – the greater portion of which he had drained but I fear not on the best principle. He had 3 acres of potatoes and 1 acre of turnips in 1848 and intends putting down the same quantity this year. On the whole I would say that this farm is very judiciously managed.
John SINNOTT holds 50 acres. I think this man manages his agricultural affairs better than an I have met on the property. He has 12 head of black cattle of an improved breed; feeds them in the house for which purpose he raises a variety of green crops – turnips, mangel, wurzel, rap, vetches, cabbages, &c. He regrets not having put down more turnips last season; has promised me he will double the quantity this season. By the method he pursues he accumulates a great quantity of manure. I think if he perseveres in this present course, he will before long have his farm in first-rate condition.
Passed over the following farms on Mr. NUNN’s property: Widow SCALLAN’s 44 acres; Patrick BYRNE’s 40 acres; John BOGGAN’s 33 acres; Mr. REIGH’s 73 acres; Edward BARRY’s 40 acres; Thomas BOLGER’s 11 acres; John MURPHY’s 10 acres; Robert MILL’s acres. All of the above persons follow much the same course of cropping which consists of beans, barley, wheat, oats, and potatoes. They seem determined to persevere in putting down the potato – at least for this year – but no turnips worth mentioning.
Visited a number of small landholders on the townland of BRITTAS, between TAGOAT and KILLINICK viz:
Andrew MURPHY holds 8 acres. Had half an acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Potatoes failed. Will put down three-quarters of an acre of turnips and a quarter acre of potatoes in 1849. Has no cow.
Moses MAGUIRE holds 4 acres. Had three quarters of an acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down a quarter acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849. Potatoes failed in 1848. Has no cow. His farm fairly managed.
Richard WICKHAM holds ten acres. Had on acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Potatoes failed. Will put down one acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1840.
Patrick MOORE holds one acre, growing potatoes, turnips, cabbages, &c.
Thomas MOORE holds 6 acres. Had three-quarters of an acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Potatoes failed. Will put down a half acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848.
Philip CODD holds 9 acres. Had a half acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Will put down the same quantity in 1849. Has no cow. Thomas CODD holds 11 acres; growing beans, wheat and oats. No potatoes nor turnips in 1848. Does not intend putting any down in 1849.
Visited Miss SCALLAN, BALLYGARVEY, holds 60 acres, which seem to be fairly managed. Has drained a considerable portion of her land, but, in by opinion not on the best principle. Had two acres of potatoes and one acre of turnips in 1848. Intends putting down two acres of potatoes and two acres of turnips in 1849. Her dwelling house and garden are remarkable for neatness.
Broadway district
(March 20 and 21) Visted BROADWAY. Called on the following farms: Richard JOYCE in the townland of BALLYMACUSHION, holds 30 acres. Had no potatoes nor turnips in 1848. This man grows some flax. His dwelling house and offices are very good. His farm seems well cultivated.
Catherine RASHFORD and Patrick SANE of BALYSAMPSON hold 35 acres each. Had 2 acres of potatoes each in 1848. Intend putting down the same quantity in 1849. Had no turnips in 1848. Do not intend putting down any in 1849.
John KEELER, of TWELVE ACRE holds 12 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849. This man’s farm is fairly cultivated.
At the Lough, BALLYMACUSHION James HAYES holds 42 acres. Had 3 acres of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Will put down 2 acres of potatoes and three-quarters of an acre of turnips in 1849.
On the townland of GLAGLEG, James BREEN holds 10 acres. Had a half acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849.
John FORTUNE, LITTLE ALLENSTOWN holds 15 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Potatoes – one half bad. Intends putting down 1 acre potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849.
Patrick FURLONG, BROADWAY, holds 18 acres. Had one and a half acres of potatoes in 1848. Half of the potatoes failed. Will put down one and a half acres of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849.
James CODD, PRIMESTOWN holds 3 acres of land. Had a half acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down the same quantity of potatoes and no turnips as in 1849.
William POWER, BUTLERSTOWN, holds 6 acres. Had a half acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Intends putting down a half acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849.
Widow BUTLER, LOUGHSTOWN, holds 10 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1849.
John STAFFORD holds 23 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes in 1848; total failure. Will put down one and a half acres of potatoes in 1849. Doe not intend putting down any turnips.
William DUFF in the townland of THRANE holds 7 acres. Had three quarters of and acre of potatoes in 1848. Will put down the same quantity in 1849. Had no turnips in 1848. Does not intend putting any down in 1849.
John SEALY holds 14 acres. Had one and a half acres of potatoes in 1848. Total failure. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes in 1849. Had no turnips in 1848. Does not intend sowing any in 1849.
Patrick BALFE holds 8 acres. Had three-quarters of an acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Will put down a half acre of potatoes and a half acre of turnips in 1849.
William DAVIS, townland of GRANGE, holds 18 acres. Had one and half acres of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of mangel wurzel in 1849. This man seems to possess very good ideas as to the best mode of managing his farm, but assured me he could not sow turnips in the way they were pilfered.
James PIERCE holds 10 acres. Had a half acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Will put down same quantity of each in 1849.
Michael BOLGER, townland of KEESHA, holds 7 acres, which he seemed to manage extremely well. His cottage is a perfect model of neatness for its dimensions. I have met nothing like it in this part of the country. Now, here is a man with ten in family, all supported by the produce of 7 acres of land. For this land he pays a fair average rent but in consequence of his mode of agriculture being conducted according to the most approved principle he is able to sustain them in comfort.
Mr. PETTIT, RATHMORE, holds 40 acres; had 2 acres of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Intends putting down same quantity of each in 1849.
Andrew BOLGER and John BOLGER hold 20 acres each. Had 1 acre of potatoes each in 1848. Had no turnips. Do not intend putting any down in 1849.
Carne District
(March 22 and 23) – Visited CARNE. Called on the following farms:
Patrick KEHOE, BALLARD. Did not meet Mr. KEHOE at home. He seems to be a very large land holder. Has a first rate dwelling house and farm-offices.
Called on Edward FORTUNE. Holds 10 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849.
Francis MURPHY holds 5 acres. He told me this was his first year of occupying the farm. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes in 1849.
Philip ROCHE holds 5 acres. Had three quarters of an acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down same quantity of potatoes and no turnips in 1849.
Philip KEATING holds 11 acres. Had three quarters of an acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Intends putting down 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849.
Mrs. FORTUNE, CHURCHTOWN, holds 20 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Will put down same quantity of each in 1849.
Robert FORTUNE holds 15 acres. Had one and a half acres of potatoes, a quarter acre of turnips and a half rood of mangel wurzel in 1848. Will put down same quantity in 1849.
Patrick FORTUNE holds 13 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Intends putting down same quantity of each in 1849.
Walter MITTY holds 15 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Intends putting down same quantity of each in 1849.
William MITTY holds 12 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1848. Intends putting down same quantity of each in 1849.
James FURLONG, townland of BALLYGURRA, holds 11 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1848. Intends putting down same quantity in 1849.
William FURLONG holds 11 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1848. Will put down same quantity in 1849.
John FURLONG holds 11 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of turnips and a half acre of potatoes in 1849.
Arthur POWER holds 11 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1848. Intends putting down the same quantity of each in 1849.
John HAYES, BALLASK, holds 9 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and o quarter acre of turnips I 1848. Intends putting down 1 acre of potatoes and a half acre of turnips in 1849.
Visited Dr. WADDY’s farm. Met Mr. MALONE, his steward, at home, who very kindly conducted me over his farm. From what I have seen here, I think he conducts his agricultural affairs in a very fair principle. He had some cattle in the stall, which seemed to be very well managed. I think his calculations to be very well managed. I think he has an abundant supply of provender to finish his cattle in a first-rate condition, which in my mind forms a great secret in stall feeding.
Robert SINNOTT, BUNNARGE, holds 10 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down one and a half acres of potatoes and a half acre of mangel wurzel in 1849.
Nicholas MURPHY, SUMMERSTOWN, holds 15 acres. Had one and a half acres of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1849.
Martin MITTY, NETHERTOWN, holds 12 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and a half rood of mangel wurzel in 1848. Intends putting down 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1849.
Patrick MURPHY, holds 12 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and a half rood of mangel wurzel in 1848. Will put down same quantity of each in 1849.
William MURPHY, NETHERTOWN, holds 12 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and a half rood of mangel wurzel in 1848. Will put down some quantity of each in 1849.
James MURPHY holds 12 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. Will put down same quantity of each in 1849.
John STAFFORD holds 12 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and a quarter rood of mangel wurzel in 1848. Intends putting down same quantity of each in 1849.
Michael KEATING, SHILMORE, holds 14 acres. Had one and a half acres of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 2 acres of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1849.
Robert MURPHY holds 14 acres. Had one and a half acres of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 2 acres of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1849.
Martin WHITE, LOGAN SHADE, holds 16 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and a quarter acre mangel wurzel in 1848. Intends putting down 2 acres of potatoes and a half acre of turnips and a quarter acre of mangel wurzel in 1849.
Mr. HAYES, THE RING, holds 31 acres. Had 2 acres of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 2 acres of potatoes and no turnips in 1849.
James FURLONG holds 20 acres. Had one and a half acre of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1848. Intends putting down the same quantity of each in 1849.
John MURPHY holds 20 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter acre of turnips in 1848. He intends to put down the same quantity of each in 1849.
Thomas CODD holds 20 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter rood of turnips in 1848. He intends to increase the turnips in 1849.
Visited the following farms in the townland of BALLYSHEENE:
Joseph SINNOTT holds 5 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1849.
John KIRWAN holds 5 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes and a quarter rood of turnips in 1849.
Philip WALL holds 4 acres. Had three-quarters of an acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Intends putting down three-quarters of an acre of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1849.
John MEYLER holds 5 acres. Had three-quarters of an acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down three-quarters of an acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1849.
Philip MOORE holds 5 acre. Had half an acre of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1848. Will put down the same quantity of each in 1849.
Patrick MEYLER holds 8 acres. Had one and a quarter acres of potatoes and a half rood of turnips in 1848. Intends putting down same quantity of each in 1849.
Peter FORTUNE holds 8 acres. Had 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1848. Will put down 1 acre of potatoes and no turnips in 1849.
Potato crop, all over this district, partial failure.
(March 26) – Visited Mr. James CODD, who kindly conducted me over a great many farms in his neighbourhood. Now, I feel bound to express my candid opinion as to the mode in which this man conducts his agricultural operations. His dwelling house is a perfect model of neatness. His farm offices, his general mode of tillage, his method of collecting and managing manure have clearly demonstrated to me that two very useful and essential qualities are combined in him. What are those two qualities? I say, to the usefulness of a hard-working industrious man he adds the ability of a first-rate agriculturist.
(April 2) – After visiting many of the small farmers in the neighbourhood of KILMORE, I called on Mr. SPARROW, who expressed a wish that I should visit BALLYCROSS, the seat of John ROWE, Esquire. Accordingly I went to BALLYCROSS. Mr. ROWE happened to be at the fair of TAGHMON but his steward, Mr. MC GREGOR, conducted me over a large portion of his very extensive property.
Transcribed by Mimi Stevens