260 
Farming of Kent. 
wide, in order to cut asunder their roots, and such a construction 
of the mould-board as to turn the furrow completely over, so that 
more power and a heavier implement are rendered necessary ; 
besides, the treading of the horses out of the furrow is often bene- 
ficial in this dry light soil ; yet the ploughing is not deep, generally 
from 4 to 6 inches ; in some situations below that depth the chalk 
is approached. Ransome's scarifier is used, and much approved. 
The horse-hoe is universal, and incessantly employed. The cul- 
ture of the district is highly creditable to the farmers; it may be 
said to be on the whole thorough and clean. Threshing is still 
done in most cases by the flail. 
The greatest improvement effected within the last twenty years 
is the general practice of what is provincially termed 'spuddling,'' 
that is broad-sharing, which is done by a share 20 inches wide 
on the stubbles after harvest, thus eradicating the weeds, the great 
pest of cultivation in this district. 
Rotation. — The general mode of cropping is the four-field 
course: 1. Wheat; 2. Peas and Turnips; 3. Barley; 4. Clover 
and Beans ; varying the half-tilths in the next course. The 
smaller farmers, however, frequently take the following course : 
1. Wheat; 2. Barley; 3. Clover; 4. Wheat; 5. Barley; 6. Beans. 
This course is an exhausting one, and can only be sustained by 
frequent manuring ; and in the average of years is not so pro- 
ductive as the four-course. 
This district is well adapted to the growth of peas and a fine 
malting-barley, the Chevalier. The quality of its wheat, how- 
ever, is not superior, much below that for example of Whitstable 
and Reculver. The prevailing varieties are the " Golden-drop " 
and " Seer," both very prolific ; the former has a stifi" straw, 
and has become smoother in the bran than when first introduced. 
The average of wheat is about 4 qrs. ; barley, 5 qrs. ; oats (of 
which few are grown), 6 qrs. ; beans, 34qrs. ; peas, 4 qrs. per acre. 
Sainfoin is cultivated to a considerable extent ; it requires a rich 
calcareous soil to produce heavily, and makes excellent hay. It 
is usually sown among barley at the rate of 6 bushels of seed 
per acre ; price about 40s. per qr. : when made into hay it >is 
usually shipped for the London market. It is a great error, fre- 
quently committed in the island, to keep up this plant too long; 
thereby exhausting the land, and encouraging the growth of 
weeds, particularly couch and wire-grass, so that a year's fallow 
and a suitable summer are required to get it clean. The best 
farmers say that sainfoin ought not to be allowed to stand more 
than four years. In the first year after that of sowing, if the 
ground be well manured and the season favourable, the produce 
may amount to 30 cwt. of hay per acre. The second and third 
years, under favourable circumstances, from 40 to 50 cwt. ; while 
