Eeed.] Report on Steam Cultivation. 143^ 



This whole district appeared to us to be sadly in arroar, little 

 or no spirit being observable in landowners or their tenantry. 

 Rent ranges from 10^. to ^Ibs. an acre, and yet we found that 

 where the land was well farmed an average yield of wheat was 

 4 qrs. per acre. We were told of tenants being under covenant 

 to reap their white-straw crops with a sickle. The rate of wages 

 in this part of Sussex was during last year increased from 12s. 

 to 13^. 6r/. per week — the hours being only from 7 till 5, with 

 an hour for dinner. Their labour is poor in quality, and dear in 

 price. 



No. 19. Mr. G. Palmer, Bengeo, Ware, Hertford, September 

 20th. We met with a hearty reception from Mr. Palmer, who 

 has thrown into steam cultivation — as he appears to do into all 

 he undertakes — an energy and enthusiasm which helps him to 

 overcome obstacles that would daunt others. He occupies about 

 1000 acres, lying apart from his house in two farms ; one of 450 

 acres at Watton, 3 miles away, one at Bengeo of 550 acres. Of 

 the total quantity 800 acres are arable. The heavy land is 

 confined to the Watton farm, where 3 horses turn a furrow 

 6 inches deep at the rate of 3 roods daily. The soil there is a 

 stiff clay. At Bengeo the soil is lighter — a gravel on wet clay. 

 Mr. Palmer has rented the farms 28 years from Messrs. Parker 

 and Smith. The Watton land is drained 4 feet deep 2 poles 

 apart (the interval should be less). Water of good quality is 

 plentifully supplied from ponds. The fields vary from 25 to 60 

 acres. The landlord has permitted his tenant to expend 200/. 

 in stocking up hedgerows. The surface of the Bengeo farm is 

 very undulating, and somewhat difficult to cultivate. The 4- 

 course system of cropping is generally adopted in the district. 

 This did not satisfy Mr. Palmer, who substituted for it the 

 following : — barley, clover for sheep-feed, wheat, oats, turnips. 

 This is followed on both farms. 



The Apparatus was bought in February, 1863. It consists of — 



£. 

 An Engine, 10-horse power, double cylinder, portable, made)^q(^ 



by Messrs. Garrett ^'^^ 



A Cultivator, 1600 yards of rope, windlass, &c. (Howard's) 210 



500 



Extra porters, home-made, 25Z., 1 set of harrows, 25?. .. TO 



550 



Repairs, Renewals, Wear and Tear. — The Engine has not cost 

 5/. since it was purchased. The engineer, a thorough mechanic 

 from Garrett's, looks ahead and detects weak places, bad joints, 

 &c., before they lead to general mischief. Without such a man 



