The Southampton Water. 
283 
The seeds are broadcasted a fortnight later, a roller or light 
harrows following. Scotch beasts are favourites, both as being 
superior in quality and suitable to the Forest, where they run for 
two years. 
The Southampton Water, on its south-western side, is bordered 
by farms lying between it and the Forest : some have a stiff sub- 
soil and require drainage, as at Eling and Dibden ; while others 
are on a gravelly bottom, as at Marshwood, Fawley, and Beau- 
lieu. The land about Fawley, though liable to burn in a dry 
time, grows barley of an excellent quality. Some of the best 
farm-buildings in the county are in this neighbourhood, at 
Cadland, which was also the scene, half a century since, of 
agricultural improvement by extensive draining on Elkington's 
principles. 
The soil of the whole of this district is deficient in calcareous 
ingredients, and will not grow healthy turnips except it be limed 
or chalked. The latter is the usual remedy. The quantity, 
applied to the wheat-stubble or to' the clover-leys, is usually 20 
tons per acre. The cost varies with the locality. Chalk can be 
brought to the waterside from Portsdown at 2s. %d. or 3s. per 
ton ; or the railway will convey it from Whiteparish (near Salis- 
bury) to Ringwood for 35., or to Brockenhurst for 35. Qd. But 
whether it come by water or by rail, it has to be reloaded and 
carted home ; and generally, so cheap is horse-labour in the 
Forest, hauling the whole way is found to be the best policy. 
The little farmers undertake, at their leisure seasons, to deliver 
it at a distance of 18 miles from the pit for bs. per ton, or bl. 
per acre. 
After some high ground, covered with erratic gravels and 
sands (Sandy Brake Common), the soil becomes deeper south of 
the Forest, as the coast is approached. The system is the four- 
course, without the variations which a better working soil 
elsewhere admits. It is nowhere better followed than by Mr. 
Nichols of Buckland, near Lymington. Chalk is not generally 
applied south of the Forest, on account of the expense of 
carriage. 
The produce of this district is, wheat 24 bushels ; barley 30 ; 
oats 35 ; swedes 20 tons ; clover 1^. 
A show of fat cattle and sheep was inaugurated at Lymington 
last winter. 
The labour is '06 per acre, and wages rather lower than those 
last mentioned. Tithe is 35. the acre. Poor-rates 35. in the 
pound. Rent 20s. 
4. In the Valley of the Avon, at North Chardford (where the 
river enters the county), and at Breamore, /. e. as far as the chalk 
reaches, there is a mixed system of vale and down farming, 
VOL. XXII. X 
