History of the Fylde of LancashirePorter, John (Writer on the Fylde of Lancashire)
History
History of the Fylde of Lancashire
Porter, John (Writer on the Fylde of Lancashire)
Lancashire (England) -- History
About a century ago oats formed the chief production, and nearly, if
indeed not quite, the only grain crop cultivated in the Fylde. When
reaped, in harvest time, this commodity was carried on the backs of
pack-horses to the markets of Poulton, Kirkham, Garstang, and Preston.
The “horse bridge” between Carleton and Poulton was originally a narrow
structure, capable only of affording passage to a single horse at once,
and it was from the practice of the farmers, with their laden cattle,
crossing the stream by its aid, when journeying to market, that the
bridge derived its name. These horses followed a leader ornamented
with a bell, and after they had arrived at their destination and been
relieved of their burdens, returned home in the same order without a
driver, leaving him to attend to his duties at the market. The old bridge
in use at the period to which we allude, still exists, but is built
over and hidden by the present erection. Later experience has taught
the agriculturist that the soil of the Fylde is capable of producing,
under proper tillage, other crops, equal in their abundance to the one
to which it appears formerly to have been mainly devoted, and it would
be difficult at the present day to enumerate with accuracy the many and
varied fruits of the earth that have found a home in the Corn-field of
Amounderness.
We mentioned about the commencement of the chapter that marl was in
general use as a manure in the Anglo-Saxon era, and here it is perhaps
hardly necessary to state that this substance, so rich in lime and so
adapted for giving consistency to the sandy soils, is still occasionally
had recourse to by the husbandman. Guano was first introduced into this
country about the year 1842, but it is probable that it was not commonly
used in our district until the beginning of 1845, when a cargo was
imported from Ichaboe to Fleetwood by Messrs. Kemp and Co., and offered
for sale to the farmers of the neighbourhood. Other cargoes followed.
Subjoined are arranged some tables showing the average market values of
certain productions of the Fylde in the two years given:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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