Faiiniuy of Kent. 
267 
plough. Tlie turn-wrist plough is but seldom used. These implements 
are known as the patent cutting-ploughs, made chiefly of cast iron; 
the beam and handles generally of wood. They are somewhat heavier 
than the Scotch plougii, being long in the handles and short in the 
beam. They were introduced into this part of the country about twenty- 
five years ago by Mr. Cooke, the patentee, and have been found so well 
adapted to the soil that they have entirely superseded the old wooden 
swing-plough in general jise before that time, and continue to e.xcel all 
other descriptions that have been brought into competition with them.* 
The process of harrowing is generally accomplished on the five-bout 
work with a gang of three harrows of four trams each, coupled to each 
other by short chains and hooks, and are just wide enough to cover the 
ridge ; they are drawn by two horses, one in each furrow, attached 
to each end of a whipple-pole 9 feet long. Drilling is commonly prac- 
tised with the horses walking in the furrow. The fields in this district 
are of moderate size, averaging about 8 to 10 acres; they are not much 
encumbered with timber, and the sooner they can be well rid of what 
they have the better for their owners. It has been too much the practice, 
both as regards timber and game, for landlords to let their land and 
stock it themselves. 
" The northern part of this district, which lies contiguous to and is 
bounded by the Thames, comprising the parishes of Deptford, Green- 
wich, Charlton, Woolwich, Plumstead, &c., is chiefly cultivated as mar- 
ket-gardens, excepting a portion of marsh land immediately adjoining 
the river, which is used as meadow, producing large crops of grass, 
but of a coarse quality when made into h;iy. This tract of land, how- 
ever, is excellent for grazing and fattening purposes. 
" The market-garden land rests on a drier subsoil, which consists 
principally of gravel, sand, or chalk. It is cultivated partly with the 
plough and partly with the spade. The subsoil-plough has recently 
been used with great advantage. The high state of cultivation in 
which this land is kept, and the gi'eat perfection attained in the quality 
and quantity of the vegetables produced, are evidences of the elastic 
productive capability of the soil, and of the intelligence and industry of 
those engaged in its cultivation. It is but justice to notice here the 
great improvement effected in the growth of several kinds of fruit and 
vegetables by Mr. Myatt of Deptford ; who has likew ise been eminently 
successful in growing mangold-wurzel, having obtained from 50 to 60 
tons of the root, exclusive of leaves, per acre ! These extraordinary 
crops, however, can only be obtained by a large outlay in manure and 
labour. It is no uncommon thing for these market gardeners to lay on 
100 or 120 tons per acre of the very best London dung, which is gene- 
rally brought on in large carts containing from 2 to 3 tons ; each cart- 
load costs on an average Is. Mr. Mjatt pays 500/. a-year for dung 
brought from London by the cow-keepers, carmen, and others, inde- 
pendent of what his own teams bring home, for less than 100 acres of 
land ! The rent of this market-garden land ranges from 3/. to 5/. per 
* Messrs. T. and D. Mack, agricultural implement makers, Greenwich, 
continue to make these ploughs. 
VOL. VI. U 
