Tlie Agriculture of Pembrokeshire. 
83 
centre of the county, was most favourably situated, as limestone 
and coal could be brought by barge or small vessel up one of 
the tributary streams of Milford Haven. The considerable row 
of kilns on the river-bank in this town are eloquent witnesses 
of the brisk trade formerly done in lime. Since the advent of 
artificial manures many kilns have been neglected and fallen 
to decay, but I am inclined to think that lime-burning will 
increase again. The cost of lime ready for use varies with the 
locality, freight, &c., but may be taken to range from 4s. 6rf. 
to IO5. per ton. In many parts it is considered that lime is 
too dear to use, unless the price of a bushel of corn, usually 
barley is quoted, pays for a cart-load. 
The produce of some six to ten tons of limestone would 
be about the quantity applied per acre, and it is mostly 
slaked, mixed with sods or earth, and used as a compost, or it 
is carted to the stubble, slaked, spread, and ploughed in. 
The advantage of dry slaking and dry weather for working it 
are well understood. 
Tillage and Implements of Cultivation. — Tillage in Pembroke- 
shire is not an arduous operation ; two horses to single ploughs 
and three to double ones usually suffice. The implements used 
are not very numerous, though generally, in the hands that use 
them, very efficient. Until recent years, when railroads have 
rendered centralisation of industries possible, the greater part 
of these implements were of local manufacture, and even at the 
present time some of the most useful are home-made. The 
large number of excellent blacksmiths scattered over the county 
testify to the importance of this industry. 
In ploughs a wonderful variety is seen in the present day ; 
the old-fashioned county plough is without a wheel and is still 
largely used in many districts. It is usually considered to be 
superior to the wheel plough in broken land, where boulders of 
rock are met with, as the wheel passing over the rock lifts the 
share out of the soil too soon. In efficient hands — and these 
are still numerous — this implement frequently carries off the 
prize at ploughing matches. Such ploughs are manufactured 
in considerable number at a little place called Pontselly. In 
wheel ploughs perhaps Messrs. Howards' are most numerous, 
though other makers are well represented ; the most recent 
introduction is the "Anglo-American chilled plough," and 
possibly these will be largely used, as they appear to suit the 
requirements of the county. The next implement is the harrow, 
and in this the county boasts of a speciality, which is locally 
known as the " chisel-tooth harrow." * 
Well know in the Eastern Counties. — Ed. note. 
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