From Robert Wedgwood to Emma Darwin 9 February [1871]1
Dumbleton | Evesham
Feby. 9.
My dear Emma—
I enclose you two letters from two intelligent men—both of them large farmers.2
Indeed all that I have spoken to are unanimous in saying that the Ridges remain unchanged in Shape.3
Yrs. ever— R. Wedgwood
[Enclosure 1]
Chadbury | near Evesham
Feby 7. 1871
My dear Sir—
There are several fields at Dumbleton which will enable you to answer Mr. Darwin’s question— Ley Field4 Barn hills— Smither’s Home Ground (next Halls Hill)5 & others— These are all Ridge and Furrow in the direction of the Slope: and the ridge and furrow as distinct at the foot of the slope, as elsewhere: but in all cases there is a level piece—a “headland” (we call it) on which the horses would turn on ploughing the Ridge and furrow—
Take Leyfield—this was ploughed in what we call two “furlongs”—upper and lower; and there is a level piece through the middle of the field, which serves as the “headland” on ploughing both “furlongs”— the other headlands being the two outsides of the field— “Barn hills” the same—
Very truly yours | C. Randell
Revd. R. Wedgwood—
[Enclosure 2]
Dear Sir
I am sorry your letter was not returned yesterday—
There is, I believe, little doubt that all ridged lands were once under plough altho’ many (& these invariably the best pastures) not for generations.
There are many fields running down a steep slope & ending below in a perfectly level surface of a few feet, or yards, wide— Tradition tells us that these Edlands were never cultivated, but left at a period when drainage was imperfectly understood, as a sure footing for the teams, & to induce sportsmen, when in persuit of their game, to avoid riding over the crops—
I think if you walk across Ley Field, you will find the ridges are as distinct at base, as on the slope—in fact, I fancy, more so—
I am | Yours faithfully | W. A. Corbett
Revd. R. Wedgwood
Footnotes
Bibliography
Earthworms: The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms: with observations on their habits. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1881.
Summary
Encloses letters from two owners [W. Corbett and C. Randell] of large farms concerning fields with ridges and furrows in the direction of the slope. All local men agree the ridges do not change shape.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-8205
- From
- Robert Wedgwood
- To
- Emma Wedgwood/Emma Darwin
- Sent from
- Dumbleton
- Source of text
- DAR 181: 66, 67, DAR 161: 226
- Physical description
- ALS 1p, encls ALS 3pp, ALS 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 8205,” accessed on 28 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-8205.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 19