The Agriculture of Staffordshire. 
305 
Amongst novel and ingenious contrivances must be noticed the 
balance-gates, patented by Mr, Webb, of Smallwood Manor, wbich 
are opened by a simple mechanical contrivance on the approach 
of a carriage. They obviate the necessity of a lodge, and if their 
appearance, when rising into the air to let the visitor pass, is a 
little startling, they are certainly exceedingly convenient, and 
especially suitable for small gates to secure cattle from lawns or 
gardens,* 
The labourers' cottages are in many instances superior. On an 
estate of more than 20,000 acres (Lord Lichfield's) there are, or will 
be in a few months, three bedrooms in every cottage. There are very 
many instances in which proprietors have erected superior cottages 
on their estates. But as the outlay is not remunerative, and must 
therefore be incurred from motives of good taste and good feeling, 
there are many cases where, fiom want of means or some other 
cause, this outlay has not been made. It is difficult, when im- 
provements have been partly effected and partly neglected, to give 
a tolerable idea in a few words of the actual state of things. 
There are fewer cottages than in the southern counties generally, 
and probably their average condition is better. The cottages 
are generally built of red bricks, and blue, or rather black, tiles, 
of capital quality, and very often so hard that time does not tone 
down the colour to the grey quiet tint which is so agreeable. 
The moss-covered houses, such as one sees in Sussex, Surrey, and 
Kent, are seldom met with ; and one misses the vine, which does 
not ripen here, and therefore never adorns the cottage walls. 
The cottagers' well-known attachment to their gardens helps to 
compensate them for many hardships. Every cottage should have a 
good garden in front, if possible on the south side, near the road. 
That is the best site and the pleasantest spot for evening labour, 
and the harmless gossip which sweetens it, A row of cottages 
having gardens behind is an unfortunate arrangement, which 
thrusts out of sight one of the brightest and happiest spots on 
earth. 
The Sheep and Horses of Staffoedshiee. 
The former are almost invariably Shropshires, more or less 
resembling the original type, which yet remains on Cannock 
Chase, as well as the various long and short woolled breeds 
which have been used to improve it. The extremely dry sur- 
face of the Chase and its good climate have produced a sheep 
much heavier than the native heath-breeds elsewhere. Their 
descendants retain their hardy prolific qualities, and their excel- 
lent grazing character ; and they frequently retain some points 
* They are manufactured by Mr. Bewley, of Uttoxeter, 
