258 
Farming of Kent. 
than to 2 bushels of wheat with successful results, and this practice 
is extending slowly. 
'•' The marsh land is chiefly stocked with sheep and Welsh cattle. It 
would be difficult to trace satisfactorily the breeds of sheep, but they 
were extensively crossed a few years since by Mr. R. Goord's celebrated 
improved Kent rams, and thereby obtained many good and desirable 
points. Of late years, Mr. ISIatson, a resident tup-breeder, has been 
crossing with the Cotswold and new Oxford rams, with a success that 
encourages future perseverance. Fat wethers are usually sold at two 
years old, weighing from 10 to 12 stone, and are chiefly sent to Smith- 
field. The Sheppv wool is in great favour with the French manufac- 
turers, and is chiefly bought for exportation. It possesses great strength, 
with length and fineness. 
" Of implements but little notice is requisite. The old Kentish turn- 
wrist plough, with four and often five horses, is in general use — Smart's 
improved Kent, the Suifolk wheel, the Scotch and Lincoln swing-ploughs, 
having been all successively tried, and thrown aside. Threshing- 
machines, both by horse and hand power, are in use, but not general. 
Crosskill's clod-crusher has been introduced by Mr. Fight ; Finlayson's 
harrow by Mr. ISIatson, and Garrett's Sufi"olk drill by Mr. Shrubsole ; 
and are all approved. Pearson's draining-plough by Messrs. Hilton & 
Co., and the mole-draining-plough by Mr. Noakes, have been exten- 
sively tried, but not with the success anticipated. 
" Rents average about 25*. per acre ; tithe for arable, 105. ; pasture, 
35. Qtd. per acre; labour generally high; common labourers from 12*. 
to 13*. Grf. a week ; best workmen, such as threshers, &c.. earn from 
155. to 185. per week. It is a misfortune that the landlords and their 
agents are generally non-resident; for, independent of the money thus 
annually drained from the district, it snaps asunder the golden link 
of sympathy and example by which society is healthfully cemented 
together. 
" The Cliff subsoil is very rich in fossil remains, cement-stone, and 
copperas, and is a favourite resort to the geologist. The sea is making 
great inroads, and large breadths of land are annually lost. Although 
a source of present wealth, yet in time Sheppy may be overflowed like 
the Goodwin Sands, and become a memento of man's cupidity and 
neglect." 
Liquid manure is here, as in most other districts, too much 
neglected. Mr. Chambers has a tank to catch the drainage of 
his yards, with fixed pump, &c. He has applied the liquid 
manure to pastures, potatoes, mangold-wurzel, and cabbages with 
great success. Formerly Sheppy was very unhealthy as a place 
of residence — the inhabitants being subject to ague and bilious 
and inflammatory complaints. The marshes, too, were often 
deficient of water for stock : but in consequence of improved cul- 
tivation, draining, and efficient sewerage, the climate has nnich 
improved, and good fresh water lias been obtained by boring, with 
a permanent supply. The well at Minster, about the highest 
point of the island, is upwards of 600 feet deep. 
