The Farming of Cheshire. 
107 
manure alone, but the more general practice is to put about half the usual 
quantity of farm-yard manure on the burnt marl in the drill. " Shoulder" 
draining is practised in this district at the distance of 8 yards. Noticed a 
great quantity of neglected small timber in the hedgerows. Proceeded 
the next morning to Ridley Hall ; saw a very good specimen of draining 
on Coxon-green farm, the drains from 8 to 9 yards apart, average depth 30 
inches, cut obliquely across the fall ; the sub-stratum a mixture of sand and 
clay ; cost of the work 4^(/. per rood, the landlord finding tiles and soles. 
On Mr. Cawley's farm, at Ridley, noticed part of a field laid out for irriga- 
tion (about 8 acres) ; the work done in a superior style, and the whole 
wore a good appearance. There is a large thrashing-machine worked by 
steam, and there is also an excellent tile and brick yard on this farm. A 
good deal of draining has been done here ; one large open drain at the 
lower end of the farm, about one mile in length, cost the tenant upwards 
of 100/. Returned by way of Cholmondeley, where I observed much fine 
oak timber, which is well managed, not being too much crowded together ; 
the land too is better cultivated here than any I had previously seen. 
From Cholmondeley proceeded to Wrenbury, and thence to Nantwich, 
without seeing any thing worthy of notice, except bad farming and timber 
crowded in the hedgerows : arrived at HenhuU Cottage, where I stayed 
for the night. The next day went to Mr. Botfs farm at Shrewbridge : the 
buildings are quite new and complete. There is in the grounds a stone 
trough, 20 yards in diameter, which supplies two fields with water for the 
cattle : it is formed of blocks of stone, neatly worked and cemented to- 
gether, the bottom being cased with bricks on edge ; the stone-work is 
raised about two feet above the level of the ground, and the water is only 
a few inches below the top of the trough. The water is supplied by a 
small spring : there is a pipe in the centre for the purpose of conveying the 
surplus water into a drain underneath the hough. The whole is surrounded 
by flags, for the cattle to walk along, about two yards in width. The 
fences here are very good, and the farm in a high state of cultivation. A 
fine dairy stock of short-horns is kept. I also observed a good hay-cutter, 
made by Parry of Chester, and worked by one horse. Afterwards went to 
see some irrigated land, belonging to Mre.Tomkinson of Dorfold : it is laid 
out in a masterly style by Daniel Smith of Sandbach, and is so contrived 
that all the sewers about the farm-yard may be cleansed by turning some 
water into them out of a large pond, and the whole is thrown over the 
meadow. Proceeded to Doddington, via Combermere, passed a large tract 
of land, which wants draining. iS'ear Combermere perceived symptoms of 
better farming ; here and there a large turnip field of small turnips, but 
clean and regular : at the farm-yard, n here there is a range of good build- 
ings, was a number of cattle feeding. This kind of stock is peculiar to the 
place, and consists of oxen and heifers, bred from the Brahmin bull, and 
short-horned and Ayrshire cows, which, I was informed, feed well, and are 
most excellent beef: a nice dairy stock of Ayrshire cows is also kept upon 
the farm. The pigs here are very numerous, and consist of a great variety 
of breeds, which are fed principally for home use. The dairy is neatly 
fitted up : there is a churn worked by steam, which I was told answ'ers well. 
From Combermere proceeded to Audlem, Doddington, and Barthomley. 
On Monday morning left Barthomley for Haslington ; proceeded thence to 
Sandbach, afterwards to Rode, the seat of Rundle Wilbraham, Esq., a 
delightful residence, the grounds of which are laid out with admirable 
taste. Passed on from Rode to Congleton, where I spent the night. 
The next day walked to West Heath Cottage. West Heath is a tract 
of land which has not been enclosed many years; the farm houses and 
cottages have all a neat appearance, and the land, which consists 
chiefly of a black soil on a grey sand and fox-bench, has been drained, and 
