Farming of Kent. 
299 
8 qrs. per acre. Beans, chiefly Mazagans, drilled in rows from 
20 to 22 inches apart, will average 4 to 5 qrs. per acre. Large 
quantities of turnip-seed are raised : the crop, though very preca- 
rious — from 2 to G qrs. per acre — will sometimes yield a large 
profit. Mangold and radish seeds are grown to some extent, 
which, with turnip-seed, are generally sold by contract to London 
seedsmen. 
Romney Marsh stands celebrated for the immense number of 
sheep which are bred and fattened there. The pasture-land 
likewise differs exceedingly in point of quality and productiveness. 
It may be divided into two kinds, breeding and fattening land. 
I'he former will keep, according to its condition, from 2 to 3 ewes 
per acre during winter, and about twice that number in summer. 
The fattening land is very various in its quality, but a fair average 
may be said to carry and fatten 4 or 5 sheep per acre, although 
there are instances of much greater numbers being kept. There 
is some rich soil, denominated " quick land," from the very rapid 
growth of the grass in favourable weather in summer. This land 
requires careful watching, lest the grass grow away too fast from 
the sheep, a circumstance injurious to the pastiire. In such case 
the usual practice is either to buy in a sufficient quantity of cattle, 
or to take whatever can be got to keep on hire. But very few 
cattle are bred in the marsh, and they occupy in all respects a very 
subordinate place to sheep in its management. Large numbers, 
however, are sent down every summer by breeders from the Weald, 
either to be kept in a thriving condition as lean stock, or to be 
fattened. Although the breed of sheep in this marsh falls very 
short of perfection, and in some important points may fairly be 
considered inferior to the improved Leicesters and Oxfords, yet 
they possess a hardy constitution, well suited to their exposed 
situation, and under good management attain a large size, and 
jjroduce a heavy fleece of long fine wool of the first combing 
quality. It should be observed, that they are fed upon grass 
only ; a few turnips or a little hay being given but in the severest 
weather. 
The greatest disadvantage which the flock-masters of Romney 
Marsh experience is the necessity of sending their lambs long 
distances up the country to keep during winter. The period 
extends from September lo the beginning of April (30 weeks), 
and the price commonly paid is 5/. or 6/. a score. The young 
sheep are thus placed beyond the control and care of the graziers 
during a large portion of that most important period in the life 
of an animal — the first year — a period on which will depend, 
according to the treatment it has received, its entire future con- 
dition. Vast numbers of " tegs " (as the young sheep are termed) 
return to the marsh in the spring in a half-starved condition, and 
VOL. VI. Y 
