Gents Mag 1829 part 1 p.179

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	Gentleman's Magazine 1829 part 1 p.179 [superin]tendancy, became still further improved - calling forth the capabilities of the land by every practical and judicious mode of cultivation, and by rearing and feeding in the most economical way, every kind and breed of animals which experience had approved, and which assiduity or money could procure. Mr. Curwen seems to have been particularly attentive to assist that general law of nature, by which animals and vegetables reciprocally exchange their substance or qualities with each other; on this circumstance he founded the necessity and propriety of his "Soiling System" - that is, by confining the animals to the spot where they are fed; by which means a more abundant quantity of dress is collected and prepared to be returned to the partly exhausted soil, whence the food has been produced. Hence Mr. Curwen was called "the Father of the Soiling System." He also studied, and successfully practised, the means of rendering the food of cattle more nutritious, by preparing it for their use by steaming, in preference to simple boiling, thereby retaining the saccharine qualities of the roots, &c., which would, by boiling, be extracted and lost. The drill husbandry Mr. Curwen also adopted successfully; in short he neglected no expedient, or rational practice, which could in any way tend to the perfection of agricultural science. His skilful operations may be said to have given a new character to the business of farming. His excellent example has imparted an impulse to agricultural exertions all over the kingdom; many old prejudices and erroneous customs have been banished, and his improvements have amply compensated every farmer who had the spirit to adopt them. Active and temperate from youth, and strongly attached to rural pursuits, he enjoyed an almost uninterrupted flow of robust health during his long life, till within about the last two years, when his constitution exhibited symptoms of decay. In the Session of Parliament 1826-7, he bagan to experience the inconvenience of late hours and crowded houses. The freshness of the Cumberland breezes produced a beneficial effect upon him in the summer and autumn of 1827; but as winter approached his debility returned, and he found himself unable to encounter his senatorial duties during the whole of the last session. By his second marriage he had three sons, Henry, William, and John; and two daughters, all living, except William. Mrs. Curwen died in 1820. The Unerigg property goes to the Deemster: the Workington-hall estate descends to Henry Curwen, esq., who for many years past has lived in comparative retirement at Bell Isle, Windermere.

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