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. From the snow of the Zakkar 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.
