On the Farming of Essex. 
15 
suckling-calves have lately been bought in at a much higher rate 
than formerly. 
The fattening that is carried on is effected with the help of 
mangold-wurzel and Swedish tiirnips ; but second-rate animals are, 
for the most part, usually fed, being kept upon straw and a 
few turnips the first winter, grass in summer, and sold off in the 
autumn, or fattened in the early part of the ensuing winter. 
The sheep are principallv Hampshire Downs, with some 
Sussex Downs, and half-bred Down and Leicesters, but the former 
answer best and are most extensively kept. Wether lambs are 
purchased in the autumn and are kept either in the yards or 
pastures during the winter, and in the ensuing summer either 
folded upon the fallows or fattened upon the clover ; in the 
former case thev are sold in the ensuing autumn or winter, fed 
upon turnips, oil-cake, or beans. Hampshire Down ewes are kept 
on small farms for producing early lambs for the London markets, 
and the ewes themselves are also sold for the shambles in the 
autumn ; the average cost of the ewes per head being about 
2-ls. ; the return, including the wool and lamb, from 50s. to 55s. 
Lambs are purchased at about ISs. each; and if fattened from the 
clover, produce about 30s. to 3'2s. each, including the wool ; those 
sold for stock realise about 25s., inclusive of wool ; but as by the 
management alone the profit may differ from 20 to 30 per cent., 
no estimate but a general one can be given. Breeding sows 
and swine are kept upon most farms, and are of the Essex 
variety, known as the half-black breed; but not of that descrip- 
tion introduced as the Essex breed by Lord Western and Mr. 
Fisher Hobbs (these, being of modern introduction, have not be- 
come prevalent at present) ; but a larger description of distinct 
black and white colour, the space over the shoulders being, for 
the most part, white, with full hanging ears, excellent mothers 
and prolific, producing from eight to fourteen at each litter, which 
grow quickly, and at three months old are sold for the London 
market and large distilleries ; at ten months old they average 
about 180 lbs. each. 
The implements used in this district are not peculiar ; cast-iron 
foot-ploughs with wooden beams and handles, in using which the 
horses are driven abreast with hemp-reins, or by the voice of the 
driver ; in some instances WTought-iron shares are still in use ; the 
ploughs for the most part being lighter and narrower than those 
used in the other districts of the county. The ploughmen are 
very expert, and have no difficulty in performing the work to the 
amount of a full acre per day. In the spring months from Ij to 
I5 acres are usually effected upon the fallowed lands; the labour 
to the horses being at that season of the most trifling nature, and 
