On the Farming of Essex. 
33 
These implements are slill manufactured by his widow, of whom 
they may be obtained. The cost of inoculation may be taken at 
from 4O5. to 50s. per acre, which must depend upon the distance 
of carting the turf, &c. 
The rent of land in this district varies from 20s. to 30s. per 
acre ; in the vicinity of London and near towns it is far above that 
amount. The rich marshes by Plaistow let from 4Z. to 5/. per 
acre, and the arable land from 2Z. to 3/. ; but, as the object of this 
essay is rather to generalize than to particularize, the rent may 
be taken at 25s. average upon such lands as are adapted solely to 
farming purposes. The tithe is for the most part commuted into 
rent-charge,* and varies from 5s. 6rf. to 6s. 6c?. per acre, and rather 
falls below than exceeds that sum. The tithe compositions from 
5s. to 6s. per acre. Poor rates 3s. &d.; surveyor's rate IQd.; and 
church rates 2d. : making 4s. 6d. per acre altogether, inclusive of 
the county and police rates, which are invariably paid from the 
poor rate. The new poor law has effected a decrease of poor rate 
equivalent to about 15 per cent, in some parishes, whilst in other 
parishes, especially those situated in populous districts, it has 
increased ; but, upon the whole, the working of the bill has been 
beneficial upon the labourers, in producing more order and regu- 
larity, and by generally improving their habits ; and from having 
become more independent of parish assistance they are generally 
more assiduous and attentive to the interests of their employers. 
Field cultivation is but little carried on in this district by wo- 
men ; during the summer months they are engaged in hoeing and 
weeding ; in some particular instances they are employed in 
drawing turnips in the autumn, and in potato planting in the 
spring. The usual amount of their wages is from 6d. to 8d. per 
day, for which they work about as many hours ; but when suffi- 
cient men can be obtained, their employment is limited, except in 
the vicinity of London, upon the garden lands. 
Third, or Heavy Clay District. 
I now proceed to treat of the third division of the county, com- 
prising the Dengey Hundred district, as well as all the heavy 
clay lands lying towards the south-east, resting upon a subsoil 
consisting of London clay, exceedingly retentive of moisture, and 
of expensive cultivation, but, under proper management, pro- 
ducing excellent crops of wheat, beans, and oats. 
This land is farmed, for the most part, upon the six-course 
shift of husbandry, except upon the poorer descriptions ; there 
the four-course, as before described, is adhered to ; the only dif- 
ference in the mode being, that, after the wheat crop has been 
* By a recent examination of twenty parishes, the average rent-charge 
is found to be a little below 6s. per acre. 
