A HISTORY OF SUSSEX 



been largely used, and even worse, corrugated iron has been found a cheap 

 substitute for the products of the county, thatch and tile, and Sussex scenery 

 suffers in consequence. 



Of the implements used on the farm, certain of the old-fashioned ones still 

 hold their own. The Sussex wagon, with its 6-in. wheels, is in general use in the 

 Weald, and on the Downs the Sussex wheel-plough still finds favour, and those 

 who use it say that no modern plough turns out such good work. On most 

 of the farms, however, the implements, generally speaking, are up to date. 

 Binders are in general use on farms of any size, with all the various modern 

 implements which the ingenuity of our own makers and our American 

 cousins now supply to the farming world, and even the motor plough can be 

 seen and heard at work in fields which not many years ago were ploughed by 

 the slow and silent oxen. On some of the big farms steam or oil engines 

 have made their appearance and do the work of chaff-cutting, ploughing, &c. 



Labourers' cottages are as a general rule improved, and where new ones 

 have been built they are a very great improvement on the old-fashioned ones, 

 as dwellings, although certainly not so picturesque in appearance ; in parts of 

 the county some of the old cottages leave much to be desired, and are hardly 

 fit for occupation. Cottages generally are badly wanted, but it is difficult to 

 see how the landowner can afford to put up new cottages, with a diminished 

 income and heavier expenses, owing to larger outlay on farm buildings to 

 meet modern requirements. 



It is also more expensive now to build cottages than formerly, owing to 

 the fact that prices have increased for both labour and materials, and further, 

 that builders now have to comply with the special requirements of the 

 District Council's by-laws. The by-laws, however, as now enforced in most 

 rural districts are not unreasonable, and are generally necessary for the sake of 

 the cottage tenant. 



Labourers' cottages at present prices, and let at the ordinary rents, will 

 not pay more than 2 per cent, on the outlay. 



Agricultural education is provided for in the eastern part of the county 

 by the County Council, who in 1894 started an Agricultural College at 

 Uckfield. At this college young men are taken as boarders at a very mode- 

 rate charge, and have the opportunity of attending lectures on all the various 

 matters connected with agriculture. A farm of about 100 acres is attached 

 to the college, and here the pupils can see in practice the actual operations 

 and daily work of the farm. A Shorthorn herd is kept, as well as sheep and 

 pigs, so that the pupils get a knowledge of stock. Poultry are made a 

 special feature, and the various branches of breeding, rearing, rattening, &c., 

 are studied. 



A great point in the outdoor work is the orchard, about 5 acres in 

 extent. This, on apparently not very suitable soil, has been wonderfully 

 successful, and is an object lesson, not only to the pupils, but also to the 

 county at large. In addition to the agricultural teaching, which includes 

 chemistry, geology, botany, entomology, horticulture, poultry farming, dairy 

 work, and bee-keeping, special instruction is given in veterinary work, 

 surveying, book-keeping, smith's work, and carpentering. 



The regular course of instruction is two years. In addition, a winter 

 course of about twelve weeks is given to farmers' sons, and lectures are also 



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