For remarks,&c.

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BUILDINGS.

FRoOW the size of the farms, the buildings are in general what might be expected; very good, convenient, and comfortable. The farm houses are built substantially, with stone or brick, and usually tiled, on the southern side of the county; but on the northern side, the Oxfordshire slate is much used. The barns are erected with the same materials, except that thatch is sub- stituted for tile. The barn floors generally oak, except in a barley or pulse barn, where clay floors are sor netimes found. Stabling always good; because no farmers pride themselves on their horses, more than those of Berks. In short, it may be said, that the farm buildings all over the county, are respectable, and convenient: and their ox-stalls and yards, in the grazing parts, judiciously arranged for the fatting of cattle.

The usual custom of the county, is, for the landlord to put the buildings into good repair on the tenant's entering; and af- terwards to find all materials, except straw, for thatching. The tenant after his entry, pays all workmen's wages, and fetches the materials for repairs gratis.

OBSERVATIONS.

The custom, of the tenant's being saddled with the burden of repairing his farm buildings, too often causes a negligence on his part towards them, unobserved by the landlord, till the es- tate returns on his own hands; for although there may be a clause where leases subsist, reserving a power for the landlord to exa- mine into the state of repairs, and order what may be necessary, it is very seldom, he or his agents avail themselves of it; the re- sult of which is, that at the end of the term, or whenever the landlord and tenant part, there is a heavy expence falls on the owner, sometimes equal to two or three years rent.

This evil may in my opinion be obviated, by the adoption of