38 
On the Farming of Essex. 
in price and quantity than this, varying as it does from 7 to 20 cn-t. 
per acre, but from 10 to 12 cwt. is considered a good crop. The 
coriander is also equally productive and precarious, varying from 
6 to 20 cwt. per acre, and prices ranging about in the same pro- 
portions. It IS therefore not surprising that some individuals 
have realised their fortunes by the cultivation of crops of this cha- 
racter. In the harvesting, great care is requisite to prevent the 
seed shedding in the field. To remedy this, cloths are used to 
receive and convey it to the thrashing-place, which is always in 
the field. The crop is liable to injury from late frost and cater- 
pillar, and is therefore verv precarious. 
Canary is also much srrown in this district. It is sown in April, 
and produces about the same quantity per acre as wheat. The 
thrashing is expensive, but the straw and chaff are much approved 
of for horses and cattle. The price is exceedingly capricious, 
varying from 40*. to SOs. per quarter. Canary is usually sown in 
the place of barley or oats, and is considered to pay, upon an ave- 
rage, from 1 /. to 2/. per acre more than either of those crops. 
The islands of Essex, upon the south-eastern coast, being 
composed of rich and deep alluvial soil, as well as portions of 
Rochford Hundred, are well adapted to the growth of the last- 
mentioned crops, as well as of every other kind of grain. 
That portion of the county comprising Rochford Hundred is 
reputed the most fertile ; but to it unfortunately, as well as to 
Dengey Hundred, a prevailing idea is attached of an unhealthy 
character — a considerable breadth of marsh prevailing throughout 
the whole district. Ague at one period ravEiged it ; but such has 
been the effect of cultivation and drainage, added to an abundant 
supply of water by what are termed artesian wells, that this por- 
tion of the county has of late become almost as healthy as other 
parts on higher elevations. The supply of water, by means of 
the wells alluded to, is obtained by merely boring through the 
tenacious London clay from 100 to .300 feet, until the chalk 
stratum is tapped. Pipes are introduced as the work proceeds, 
and the water immediately rises to the surface, and continues to 
flow — giving a supply not only to the homestalls of farm premises, 
but, by keeping it up in the marshes during summer, contributing 
a benefit to the grazier of incalculable amount, and has in a great 
degree rendered that portion of the county healthy. 
The woodlands are extensive, but the produce has materially 
fallen in value during the last twenty years. The introduction of 
foreign timber in buddings, and of iron and network for folding 
sheep, has diminished the demand for poles. The supply of coal 
by water-carriage has also so much reduced the produce in value 
that unless an abundance of timber prevails few woods afford a 
rental exceeding 85. per acre, whilst the greater part do not yield 
