General View of the Agriculture of the County of Lancaster: With Observations on the Means of its Improvement

The author and schoolteacher John Holt (1743-1801), who lived near Liverpool, wrote novels, historical works, and many contributions to The Gentleman’s Magazine, including a monthly meteorological report. This survey of agriculture in Lancashire was published in 1794, with an enlarged edition (reissued here) following in 1795. The book begins with the detailed plan of the Board of Agriculture for obtaining regional surveys, such as the ‘Rural Economies’ of William Marshall (several of which are reissued in this series). It goes on to describe the geography, climate and soils of Lancashire, and its land holdings and land use, noting the manufacturing as well as the agricultural areas (and the improvement to the latter’s soil by the spreading of ‘night-soil’ from the growing cities). A detailed examination of the livestock, agrarian and horticultural products of the county follows, with figures on farming costs and crop yields. This work remains a fascinating resource for social and agricultural historians.