sb. Also 8 somerland.
1. A summer-fallow. dial.
1695. Kennett, Par. Antiq., Gloss. s.v. Warectare.
1723. Lewis, Hist. Tenet, 8. The tilth for this grain is either Somer-land, Bean- or Pease grotten, or Clover, or Trefoil-lay.
1765. Museum Rust., IV. 145. I make no summer-land on this light land, but plough sufficiently to get out the grass.
1846. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., VII. II. 589. To make a summerland only for swede turnips.
2. A land where it is always summer; in the language of spiritualists applied to the intermediate state of the departed.
1895. Workman, Algerian Mem., 44. We had come, in one day, into the summer-land of oranges, lemons and figs.
1896. Mrs. Besant in Daily News, 31 Oct., 6/3. The purgatory of the Roman Catholics, the summerland of the spiritualists, the intermediate states of the Hindus and Buddhists.
1901. ‘Lux Auera’ (title), Light from the Summerland. Being a Series of Articles illustrating the Truth and Teachings of Spiritualism.
Hence Summerland v. trans., to lay fallow.
1674. Ray, S. & E. C. Words, To Summerland a ground; to lay it fallow a year, Suff.
1723. Lewis, Hist. Tenet, 10. They are forc’d to Somerland or lay fallow their ground.
