On tlie Farming of Essex. 
29 
inferior to that of any other kind ; all the varieties of white oats 
are also grown with success, of which the Dutch brew is con- 
sidered the most productive. 
Barley is invariably mown, and in wet weather is much ex- 
posed ; it is, however, considered best not to turn over the swarths, 
but merely to lift them lightly, and to leave them upon what is 
termed the outing, made at the commencement of the preceding 
swarth by the mower putting his scythe in a sloping direction down- 
wards, leaving the stubble higher, which prevents the barley from 
coming into contact with the earth, so that it is thus not so easily 
sprouted. The average crop of barley in this district may be 
taken at 5 quarters per acre ; for although here and there a piece 
may be found producing in good seasons from 7 to 8 quarters per 
acre, this is not of frequent occurrence. 
Beans are grown on the heaviest descriptions of soil. They are 
an excellent preparatory crop for wheat ; and Essex is notorious 
for their excellent culture, as such is the nicety pursued in 
hoeing them that, where well managed, scarcely a weed can be 
found after the last hoeing is given. The seed is either drilled 
or dibbled, the latter effected by the man using two dibbles, and 
walking backwards with children following to deposit two beans 
in each hole. Sometimes, but not frequently, they are dibbled 
by a single dibble, the man dropping the seed as he proceeds. 
Dibbling with two dibbles can be done at a lower sum per 
acre than by any other mode ; from 4s. to 5s. per acre is the usual 
price, and with a single dibble 4s. are paid ; but they are not so 
thickly deposited, neither are the rows so near together. The 
drill is very frequently used, and for small-sized beans as well as 
peas is an admirable implement, but hardly ever succeeds so well 
as dibbling well carried out. This crop may be taken at from 
3 to 5 quarters per acre; but upon heavier and more tenacious 
soils double that quantity is frequently grown. 
The cost of cultivation of the bean crop may be taken as 
follows : — 
Dibbling 
One ploughing and harrowing 
Three clean hoeings 
Reaping 
Carting 
Thrashing 4 quarters 
Marketing and carting out 
Seed, 3 bushels 
£. 
s. 
d. 
0 
4 
6 
0 
11 
3 
0 
12 
0 
0 
■8 
6 
0 
2 
6 
0 
7 
0 
0 
6 
0 
0 
11 
0 
£3 
2 
9 
