it fell, is about one-third of a Mile from Wold Cottage, the Seat of EDWARD TOPHAM, Esq. who, in order to commemorate the Event, has erected an OBELISK with this Inscription. "Here On this Spot, Dec. 13th 1795, Whose Weight was fifty-six Pounds. In Memory of it was erected by EDWARD TOPHAM 1799." Within the last two Centuries, successive Instances of the Fall of STONES, at length attracted the Attention of Philosophers, and accurate Accounts were collected from various Quarters. Two fell Anno 1672, near Verona in ITALY, one of them weighed three Hundred, and the other, Two Hundred Pounds. On the 17th March 1798, one fell in FRANCE; and on the 19th December, the same Year, a Shower of Stones fell near Benares, in IN DIA. The Hypothesis of the LUNAR origin of these STONES, is generally adopted by Men of the greatest scientific Attainments, but perhaps as VAUQUELIN concludes, the most prudent Measure is, candidly to acknowledge that we are totally ignorant of the Causes, by which these Stones may have been produced. Some idea of the Extent of NORFOLK Farms may be formed, when it is known that an Occupier, in the Western district, in the Year 1808, expended more than 11007. for only one sort of Manure, (brought many Miles) notwithstanding the immense Quantity made at Home, and the great number of Sheep annually folded on the Grounds. On another Farm, Forty-five Acres are consumed in Roads across the Lands. From the Prices which the Property of the late Sir ROGER KERRISON, sold at, by Public Auction in 1809, the high Value of Land in this County is manifest; a Farm in Seething and Kirstead, of 160 acres, produced 7,9001. and 6 Acres, with an Orchard, 6107. -Four inclosures of Land in Brooke, containing 29 Acres, fetched 1,560l.-Kirstead Hall, 170 Acres (subject to an outgoing of 117. per annum,) 8,250l. and a piece of pasture Land, with a small Plantation of young Oaks, in all 2 Acres, sold for 3157. Of Perseverance in the Sale of a Corn Crop by private Contract, this County affords a singular Instance. A Gentleman and a Farmer had frequently met to bargain about a Field of Rye, which was then growing, and belonged to the former. Both of them being what are called hard Dealers, they always separated without bringing the important affair to a Conclusion. However, they at length met, about nine o'clock one Morning, and agreed to try again, about the Rye; but having an equal dislike to dry Bargains, they went into the nearest Public-house, and at ten o'clock at Night,— after a negociation of thirteen Hours, the Farmer made the long-wished for Purchase,on the following Terms, viz.-He was to give 301. in Cash, one Sow with pig, 200 wisps of wheat Straw, one peck of Potatoes, one Gosling, and one gallon of Butter-milk. Owing to the Dryness of the Soil, Poultry of all kinds are plentiful, and of a superior Quality. Turkeys in particular, are very numerous, and the Mode of Feeding them, gives a Delicacy of Flavour, which stamps Preeminence on the NORFOLK Turkey; the Consumption of these Birds is great, both in this and the adjacent Districts; yet such is the Abundance, that immense Quantities are sent to various and remote Parts of the Kingdom. It has been computed, that more Turkeys are bred in this, and the adjoining County of SUFFOLK, than in all ENGLAND beside. They are commonly driven on Foot, in large Flocks, to LONDON, and other distant Places. During one Season upwards of Three Hundred of these Flocks, of some Hundreds each, have been noticed to pass Stratford Bridge, on the River Stour, in their way to the METROPOLIS; besides what proceeded by different Routes, to the same Market. Much has been said respecting the Difficulty of rearing Turkeys, it seems, however, that a little Care when first hatched, soon places them beyond the Reach of Danger, and produces ample Profit. A Lady at Moulton in NORFOLK, in 1809, netted of the Produce of One Hen Turkey, TWELVE GUINEAS. Another Instance of their Value occurred at Mr. Guy's, Battle Bridge, near Rayleigh in Essex. In the Spring of 1808, some Guinea Hens' Eggs, were sent him as a Present, and to obtain a Stock of that Sort of Fowl; amongst them, was a Turkey Egg, which produced a Hen Bird. One of his Children requested this Bird might be given to her, and some Turkey Eggs procured, to try her Fortune with, the Turkey was set upon sixteen Eggs, produced the same number of Birds, and what was more singular, they were all Cocks, they were reared without any Casualty, and sold for fifteen Shillings each, so that the youngster's Gains from that one Brood, was TWELVE POUNDS. A Circumstance relating to a Bird of this Species, proves that the Race, mentioned by the famous BARNABY HARRISON, in the following Couplets, "To Banbury came I, O prophane one, Where I saw a Puritane-one Hanging of his Cat on Monday, For killing of a Mouse on Sunday," is not yet Extinct.-A TURKEY Cock, the property of a Reverend Divine, in the NorthWest part of Yorkshire, strayed from his constant mate, and paid his devoirs to a Female in a neighbouring Farm-yard; complaint |