ORIGIN OF SEED-GROWING 111 



and fifty of them altogether hold over 2,000 acres, 

 and are all doing well, with one exception. 



In the Essex County Chronicle for September 23, 

 1887, there appears a report of the sale of Gate 

 House Farm at Tolleshunt Knights, which is part 

 of this district. It describes how, through the in- 

 stigation of Mr. Wilkin, the purchaser of the estate 

 set aside 100 acres to be let in small holdings to local 

 working men who were desirous of obtaining land. A 

 meeting was held, and the terms of letting explained 

 to would-be hirers of land. These terms appear to 

 have been very generous ; the rent asked was 30s. 

 an acre, to be paid yearly, whereas smaller holdings 

 in the parish were then fetching as much as 3 an 

 acre. The land was to be held on a seven years' 

 lease, and there were no restrictions as to cultivation 

 beyond those of keeping the land and fencing in 

 good condition. All tithes, rates, taxes, etc., were 

 to be paid by the landlord, and the lease was to be 

 granted free of law charges. As a result of this 

 meeting, the 100 acres were let to eleven men in 

 holdings varying from 2^ to 38|- acres. 



Amongst the holders visited was a son of the man 

 mentioned above who had started the seed-growing 

 industry. The son has 6 acres devoted to seed- 

 growing, for which he pays 2 an acre rent. On 

 his land there were nasturtiums, mangels, turnips, 

 and cabbage growing for seed. He had also a few 

 vegetables for sale in Colchester Market, and J- 

 acre of tomatoes. Three years ago for an acre of 

 outdoor tomatoes he had realized 160, which 



