36 
On the Faiming of Essex. 
under favourable circumstances. The average growth, however, 
cannot, in my opinion, be taken higher than 34 bushels per acre. 
The variety of wheat grown is the white velvet, or rough chaff, 
which is especially adapted to the soil. Red Syer and the golden 
drop, as well as all the varieties of white wheat, are grown with 
success, but the rough chaff forms the principal growth. It is not 
long, but stiff in straw, and is not easily lodged ; and the quality 
is superior to that of any other description, and invariably pro- 
duces (with the exception of Talavera wheat) the best price in the 
market, frequently weighing 66 lbs. per bushel. 
The bean crop is a most important one in this district, and per- 
haps in no other part of the kingdom are such fine crops produced. 
The management is also excellent. The beans, for the most 
part, are dibbled by a man with a single short dibble, so as to 
enable him to make the hole and deposit the beans (two in each 
hole) as he proceeds, following the plough as each furrow is 
ploughed ; three men thus completing the work of one plough 
every day. As soon as the beans are well above-ground, they 
are harrowed, and afterwards well hoed. Two more hoeln^s, at 
proper intervals, mostly complete the operation. This is done at 
a cost of about 12s. per acre. The beans are cut in harvest, and 
tied with yarn tyers or straw bands, and frequently yield from 7 
to 8 and even 10 quarters per acre. The average will perhaps 
fall rather below 5J quarters per acre than exceed that quantity, 
as the seasons affect this crop almost equally with wheat. Horse- 
hoeing is partly applied, and in some cases successfully, but it is 
considered with little reduction of expense. 
Oats come next under consideration, which are, in congenial 
seasons, very productive. From 7 to 10 quarters, and even more, 
per acre are frequently grown. The average, however, cannot be 
taken at above 7 quarters, and this upon the fallowed lands. 
Barley is grown in limited quantity, but abundant crops are 
sometimes produced upon the fresh chalked lands, being also of 
excellent quality. The usual proportions of tares and some peas 
are produced ; but as beans supersede the latter they do not come 
under especial notice. Upon the lighter soils, however, excellent 
crops are produced. 
The crops peculiar to this district are white and brown mustard, 
coriander, canary, and caraway, of which notice will be taken sepa- 
rately. Mangold-wurzel has of late been introduced, and very 
fine crops are obtained. 
White mustard is sown broad-cast as early in the spring as it 
can safely be, so as to prevent injury from frost, and is generally 
sown upon land in clean order, and having abundance of tilth ; 
one hoeing is given, and but little is afterwards required in its 
