On  the  Farming  of  Sussex. 
83 
and  that  in  some  situations  at  more  expense  for  carriage  than  the 
cost  price  of  the  liine)  ; this  is  the  farming  of  many  at  the  present 
time,  some  not  having  means  of  their  own,  and  paying  interest  per- 
haps at  5 per  cent,  on  the  capital  employed  or  part  of  it.  The  other 
farms,  in  a four-course  system — 1.  wheat;  2.  half  red  clover,  half 
other  seeds  to  mow  or  pasture  as  may  be  required,  taking  care  that 
the  part  sown  with  red  clover  be  dunged,  which  if  so  farmed  on  the 
most  adhesive  soils  (even  cold  clay)  would  make  more  return  in  hay 
and  seed  than  the  wheat  or  any  crop  on  the  farm.  T hen  3.  oats ; 
4.  half  may  be  part  in  tares  to  mow  for  the  horses  in  the  yard, 
only  a sufficient  part  of  peas  or  beans  to  fat  the  pigs  for  family 
consumption,  only  a part  for  potatoes  for  the  family,  and  as  much 
to  the  labourers  on  the  farm  as  they  may  require;  half  being 
made  clean  summer  fallow,  being  l-8th,  on  which  the  red  clover  to 
be  sown  after  wheat.  I am  confident,  without  further  detail,  that 
the  difference  of  the  produce  of  the  last  course  would  be  re- 
muneration for  the  capital,  and  payment  of  the  same  rent,  &c. ; 
whereas,  in  my  opinion,  the  other  would  not.  I have  visited 
some  parishes  in  this  extensive  district  where  the  farming  was 
principally  three-course,  where  the  average  has  been  taken  at  18 
bushels  of  wheat  ,and  the  oats  at  20  bushels,  and  a great  many 
where  the  average  was  taken  at  20  bushels  of  wheat  and  oats  at 
24  bushels  per  acre,  where  I also  found  the  system  to  be  generally 
in  thirds.  My  business  was  as  local  agent  to  the  Tithe  Commis- 
sioners, to  ascertain  whether  the  produce  of  the  parishes  I was 
sent  to  report  on  represented  the  value  of  the  tithes  proposed 
by  land  and  tithe  owners  for  commutation,  where  I was,  of 
course,  supplied  with  a schedule  of  the  quantities  of  arable, 
meadow,  and  pasture,  <Stc.,  of  every  parish  I visited.  It  is  this 
survey  which  enables  me  to  submit  my  statements  with  accu- 
racy, but  I am  fearful,  in  treating  the  subject,  of  making  it  too 
voluminous. 
My  observation  respecting  the  systems  of  farming  must  be  taken 
to  apply  generally,  where  the  lands  require  attention  to  support 
themselves  in  their  produce — local  neighbourhood  to . towns 
giving  to  farmers  advantages  of  other  resources  which  will  enable 
them  to  adopt  different  courses,  according  to  circumstances.  I 
am  very  desirous  in  these  critical  times  to  sympathize  and  give 
encouragement  to  the  tenant  farmers,  it  being  with  many  of  them 
an  almost  heartless  task  ; but  Necessity  compels  them  to  continue, 
and  those  who  are  so  circumstanced,  let  me  invite  to  apply  to  that 
mother  of  invention  to  assist  them  in  their  pursuits ; and  should 
any  benefit  be  derived  from  my  experience,  the  object  of  my 
submitting  it  will  be  obtained. 
One  very  formidable  enemy  to  the  dependent  farmers  exists  in 
the  competition  for  lands  by  persons  sometimes  scientific,  who  are 
G 2 
