The Farming of Cheshire. 
109 
way there, a short distance from Knutsford, observed a great number of 
small plots of ground, which I learned are let by Mr. Egerton to the sur- 
rounding cottagers and mechanics ; 20 roods to each person, at Is. per 
rood, thereby producing a good rental to the owner, and being a great 
accommodation to the occupiers. The farming here presents no features 
requiring particular comment. Mr. Egerton gives prizes for the best 
ploughing, which are annually contested for by his tenants ; but these 
being very numerous, the competition has the effect of improving this 
important operation in agriculture in the vicinity adjoining his estates. 
Visited Messrs. Woods' implements manufactory at Knutsford, where are 
made some of the most approved ploughs, scarifiers, turnip scufflers, lever 
churns, &c. Leaving Knutsford, passed Toft, the seat of H. Leycester, 
Esq. : this estate is finely wooded ; large numbers of oaks have recently 
been felled, and many more are marked to come down next season. The 
appearance of the country will not only be thus improved, but the pro- 
ceeds will enable the proprietor to improve his lands by draining and bone- 
manuring, without any material additional outlay of capital. Tiles are 
allowed to the tenants, and not unfrequently bone-manure. Leaving Toft, 
came to a village called Little Peover, thence to Middlewich, passing some 
very good meadow land on a small stream, and some property once be- 
longing to Lord De Tabley, but now to "Dr. Taylor," who allows his 
tenants as many draining-tiles as they will use, and will advance an equal 
sum of money to that which they are willing to pay for bone-manure, or 
will advance the whole sum himself, at the rate of 7^ per cent., at the 
option of the tenants. Passed Kinderton Hall, the property of Lord Ver- 
non, a fine farm of about 400 acres, managed by the tenant Mr. Stones, on 
the Norfolk system, or nearly so ; he feeds a considerable number of cattle 
and sheep, and grows large quantities of turnips ; there are only three 
milking cows kept, to supply the family with milk and butter. Passing 
through Middlewich, arrived at Sutton Hall, a farm belonging to Mr. Court, 
of the Manor, and well managed by the occupier Mr. G. Wooh ich. Re- 
turned through Middlewich to Winsford, where are some extensive bone- 
works belonging to Messrs. Rawcliffe. A peculiar process of boiling is 
carried on here with excellent effect ; and the manure which a year and a 
half ago was sold at f>l. 10s., is now to be had at 31. 12s. Qd. per ton. The 
dust, which is caused by the sawing of the bones, does not pass into the 
boiler, and is sold alone at 8/. per ton : it is a very valuable manure. 
Leaving Winsford, crossed Delamere Forest, and reached Stapleford, a 
township in the Hundred of Eddisbury. 
Commenced a tour through the Hundred of Wirral, at Chester, and pro- 
ceeded in a westerly direction. About the middle of the Hundred observed 
a large tract of land in a most wretched state of cultivation from want of 
draining ; the land is very thin of soil, a great portion of clay being turned 
up in ploughing very shallow furrows ; the butts are small and flat, in 
many fields not more than three feet wide, and in some not more than two 
feet six inches ; every rein full of water, and the gutters not more than 
three or four inches deep. As I proceeded I found some better specimens 
of farming, and some very good on two farms, one of 500 and another of 
150 acres. On the former I witnessed an exceedingly interesting and novel 
sight—" Alexander's draining-piough," which has been minutely described 
in agricultural publications ; it was drawn by sixteen horses, yoked eight 
abreast, then six, then two. By the first operation, soil to the depth of 
sixteen inches was thrown out ; by the second, soil to the depth of eight 
inches more was cast up, leaving the drain twenty-four inches deep and 
five inches wide ; the loose soil is then scooped out by an instrument for 
the purpose, when the tiles are laid upon slates cut for this work ; sods are 
placed upon them, and the drains filled up. It is calculated that the 
