re ey a eS oe Aa & i 3 el s | - j Hi \ 4 } o P Greenwich Lewes ~© Woolwich ee oBromley| S== i Dartford se: a Nh 6 Le of Z Ft yo : Sp. |(Ne hochester, Fae 5 f oy 4 farnuygham: a A ai cehey fe) l Wrotham Malling® — Seven Oaks i «8 gic v of/ MA ST ye as a—— ZZ SOS| ee ss tpi Ki < raraten€ Brenchley inom» A Asitond rd is Z I Marden», va , yy Ga( f RST i Mitiinn fi Riifsel Court Published July 1798, by G- G&S Robinson Fater Nostiy, to be put in with a Guard betny bac Mall,«7 Deb Nye of|} ret,] Ul, 1 75 30 49 7,——:-——— E=\The Nore WP ”] Sheerngs Ae a WAS; Ms NG> NS: NG Bpoee 207'O: Yi Fo 4) p==;: 4 ISLE of“THANE Ramsgate S, we Ay) Pay fy G‘Oy,—| f| 7£ ce\-@ US Faversham)~ DISTRICT X—<, WY | fe) Canterbury a_dandwich\ of ANTE RB RY ie <] UY, ALL, K fi ES(Barham: ao Deal dy Np ve\ ne i Ne BSS\ ; Ata, “yal AS hy, any dshtord“°Bleham ‘ Z Py, eee nn OV ke>: (00 7 tit . of Ki oy Me| 1g| dul“— Wi am priors OS Wj Ml EL"WAT WIL: Z Zz EY ° rook\v, iH Hythe© LL EY pes ae at THE EASTERN DISTRICTS Zz OF THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES. 13 parr Noster Row, G. Nicol, Fall Malt,& J. Debret, Pievadilly. Robinson,: with a Guard bere the Title Page of Vol. 1. pre 19 5> a RS io! nee ear OT 5, 51 Sess: FIN awe= i iS THE RURAL ECONOMY SOUTHERN COUNTIES; KENT, SURREY, SUSSEX: THE ISLE OF WIGHT; tHE CHALK BILLS or WILTSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE, kc. AND INCLUDING THE CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF FL OL? 8. IN THE DISTRICTS or MAIDSTONE, CANTERBURY, anp FARNHAM. By Mr. MARSHALL. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. ol. Ne: th a ey LONDON: ee 4 PRINTED FOR G. NICOL, BOOKSELLER TO HIS MAJESTY, EFALL-MALEs G. G. AND J; ROBINSON, PATERNOSTER-ROW; AND J. DEBRETT, PLC CAD ELT Ni. 1798. . RTS TY: Se ES ARP OS PN a ET a iy RR a any or aaah b= Pepa | ANALYTIC TABLE nee CONTENTS seate FIRS 1. VO-LU Me THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF ENGLAND. Their Boundaries sketched, 1, Divided into Districts, 2 Aio CONTENTS. THE DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. The Means of Information stated, 3. Its Situation and Boundaries, 4. The Outline irregular, 5. Its Extent, about 100 square Miles.— Its Elevation, with respect to the Sea. with respect to the adjacent Country, 6. The Surface extremely varied, 7. The Climature behind its Latitude. Instance of a mild Autumn. Its River is the Medway, 8. The Soils are singularly various. The Varieties detailed. The Subsoils equally various, g. General Remark on the Soils and Substrata. Fossil Productions, to. Many old Stone Quarries. The nearest Stone Country to London. Ancient London probably built, with Stones from hence The present Quarries described, 11. Corkstone described, and analyzed, 12. Part of Westminster Abbey buile with this Stone, 13 Sugar Bakers burn it for Lime. A Note on Stone and Chalk Limes. Common Rag described, and analyzed, ¥4. Hassock described, and analyzed, 16. Contains seedlike Granules. Experiments with these Granules, 17. Its Use in Agriculture, 18. Fullers Barth, a Fossil of this District. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. Townships below the middle Size, 19. Villages broken into<< Streets.” Inhabitants and their Habitations, 19. Employments of Working People. Roads well attended to, 20. Cross Roads and Guide Posts numerous. Hedges of Lanes, and Foot Paths, pruned. Remarks on this Practice. Inland Navigation 2r. Remarks on River Navigations. State of Inclosure. Present Productions enumerated, 22. Appearance of the Country. The Interior Scenery, 23. An extraordinary Panorama View. THE RURAL ECONOMY OF TALS(DAS PR LC. T. Division THE First.’ ESTATES anp THEIR MANAGEMENT. Prefatory Remarks, 25. j. Estates: Well diversified in Size, 26. Good Effects of the Law of GavgaLKIND. Ii. Tenanting Estates, 27. Prevailing‘Tenancy, annual. Rent, twenty to fifty Shillings, 28. Mostly subject to TiTHE, Times of receiving, Michaelmas and Ladyday. vi CON T EIN FS. Covenants not obtained, 28. No Restrictions, with respect to Hops, and why. Repairs of Buildings, 29. Fences repaired and raised by Tenants. Removals made, at Michaelmas. III. Farm Buildings, 30. The Plan of old Date. The Materials mostly Wood! Very little Stone used, and why, 31- Farm Yards without Plan, 32. Barns low and wide. Perhaps the primeval Form. Barn Floors of Wood and Earth. On forming Pedestals for Posts, 33. IV. Field Fences, 34. Mostly Coppice Borders. Formerly many Stone Walls. Now straight, tall, thin Hedges. Method of raising new Hedges, 35. Old Hedges pruned on the Sides, 36. The Gate of Kent, ina good Form, 37. V. Hedgerow Trees. Much Oak Timber, in the old Hedgerows. Pollards under Extirpation. No Trees now planted, except Poplars, 38. DIVISION THE SECOND. WOODLANDS anp PLANTING. 1. Woodlands, 39. Of considerable Extent. Conjectures on their Origin. At present increasing, og pt gE ITS AT aT TBO RD DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. vil Mostly timbered Coppices, 40. General Economy of Coppice Woods. Species of Coppice Woods, 41. Note on the Hornbeam. Management of Coppice Grounds. Exemplary, in Kent. Fill up old Woods. Dig and sodburn Interspaces! 42. ‘The Chesnut common in old Woods? N. The Cord or Stack of Middle Kent, N. Woodlands mostly in Hand. II. Planting, 43. Coppice Plantations described. The Sites of these Plantations. Species of Plants, 44. Remarks on the Chesnut, as a Coppice Wood. | Method of Planting Coppices, 45. 3 | Training the Plantations, 46. Management of Grown Coppices, 47.. Suggestion on Plowing the Intervals, N: Note on frost-nipped Shoots, 43. Coppices.thinned, and pruned! Age of felling, and Produce. Remark on propagating Coppices, 49. The District of Maidstone a fit School, for Cop- pice Planters, 50. ATT. Division THE THIRD. AG.Ral CULTURE. [.-Farms, 51: The Size most elegible. Mrs. Bouveriz’s Farm described, 52, eS eee sen er—_~ yt a JOS cs. vill C O'N TE NTH Si II. Farm Occupiers, 53. Various, in this District. Good Effect of the Law of Gavelkind instanced, in the Family of Fow es, 54. III. Workpeople, 55. Time of changing Servants inconvenient. No public Hirings, in the Southern Counties. Wages of Servants. Their want of Activity, 56, IV. Beasts of Labor, 56. Horses of the heavy Kind. Sluggish, in themselves, and the Cause of Slug- gishness, in Servants. Plow Team of four Horses, 57. Road: Team the same, With two Men Attendants. Altogether an extravagant Practice. V. Implements, 58. The Waggon of Kent is large, and well fur- nished. The Timber Carriage is converted into a Har- vest Waggon. Dung Carts of a full Size, 59. The Plow of an extraordinary Form. Attempted to be described. Its probable Origin, 60. Its Merits and Demerits. The Broadshare or Subplow, 62. -Its Construction and great Merit. The Stricking Plow described, 63. The Nidget, or Horsehoe, of Kent. The probable Archetype of the Tormentor, 64. The Frame Harrow. >a) Se ae, A" na a eee ee = bee bet ee Or eee eee en ee ee ee ST SS DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 1X The Digging Prong, or‘* Spud,” 64. GENERAL REMARKS, on a PuBLic REPOs!I- ToRY of IMPLEMENTS, 65. VI. Plan of Management of Farms, 67. Objects of Husbandry. Marketable Produce, 68. Consumptional Crops. Course of Practice, 69. Not regular or fixed. Remarks on this Subject, 70. VII. Soils and their Management, 71. The Species enumerated. Note on a peculiar Species of Soil Stone, 72. The Management is superior. Underdraining attended to. Tillage well performed, 73. Demerits of the Turnwrest Plow and four Horses, in Fallaw Ground, shown. FurTHER RemaARKs on a Pustic EstTa- BLISHMENT, and on using a VARIETY of Piows, 76. Broadsharing a valuable Practice, 78. Remarks on Subplowing. Raftering is in good Esteem, 80. Rolling is much used. The Fallow of Kent is chiefly the Autumnal.- This Fallow described. The Summer Fallow less frequent, 82. REMARKS on the Quantity of TitLace and VENTILATION required, by Soils of dif- ferent Descriptions. VIII. Manures and Management, 85.| Species of Manures in Use. Dung, 86. That from Oil Cake, in Esteem. That of Swine not valued! 87. Application of Dung, 87. xX CONTENTS. Compost. Much made, especially for Hops. Method of making, improper. Lime, 88. Burnt from Chalk. Analysis of Boxley Chalk, N. That burnt with Woed is most esteemed. Reflection on this Opinion. Method of Burning, 89. Application. Method of applying. Most judicious. Remark and Hints thereon, go. IX. Semination, 91. Methods of Sowing Corn. All covered with the Harrow. Method of putting in Pulse, g2. All cultivated in Rows. X.' Growing Crops, 93. Roll soon after Sowing. \ Note on the Natural History of the Sonwor™. Remark on indiscriminate Practices, 94. The Effects of the Sodworm described. Remarks on Vermin of the Sotl, 95. A Mean of Extirpation proposed. Corn Crops, sometimes partially hoed. Pulse Crops, universally, horsehoed, 96. A Sparrow Trap described. XI. Harvest Management, 97. Many Varieties of Practice, here. Reaping and“ Bagging,” 98. Instance of reaping Oats into Swath. On setting up Shucks, North-and-South. Women employed in Reaping. i “ | XII. XIII rx XIV, a —=~ DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. XI Gleaning not allowed before Carrying, 99. Mowing Corn with high‘‘ Beevers,” 100. Remarks on this Operation, and the Advan- tages of a PuBLic SEMINARY. Drying mown Corn, 102. Binding Swaths with Rope Yarn, 103. Forming Piles of Sheaves. Remarks on Harvesting in Bundles, 105. Raking Stubbles. A Horse Rake described. A Drag Rake particularly noticed, 106. Loading Corn, 107. Remark on Minutial Practices. Kentish Method described, 108. XII. Farm Yard Management, 109. Thrashing and Winnowing. Straw consumed, in Yards, rfo. Vermin. A METHOD OF pDEsSTROYING Rats de- scribed, 114. Remarks on extirpating them, by Counry Rates, 113. A VerMin TRaP, On a most ingenious Prin- ciple, described. XIII. Markets, 114. Maidstone and Tunbridge. Monthly Markets, for fat Stock, x15. Remark on their Utility. XIV. Wheat,+16. The Quantity grown. The Species cultivated. Names of Varieties vague. Might be obviated. Successions in Use, 117. Soils appropriated to Wheat. CONT EN TS. Tillage, for this crop. Mostly the Autumnal Fallow. Operation of* Stricking,” 118. Plow against the Slope, for the Seed, 11g. Manures, in Use, for Wheat. Semination. Remarks on CHancinae the SEED, 120. The Growing Crop, 120. Instance of cutting Mildewed Wheat, while green. Harvest Management, 121. All set up in naked Shucks. Wheat Stubbles mown, Produce. Instances of very great Crops. General Average, not very high, 122. Markets, 122. All sold by Sample. A Busbel Market attempted, 123. XV. Barley, 123. Fine Barley on strong Soil, with an absorbent Subsoil. XVI Oats; 128: The Object of their Culture is chiefly Pro« vender, for Cart Horses. XVII. Beans, 126. Proportion remarkably great. Varieties in Cultivation. Succession of the Bean Crop. The Soils employed, 127. The Tillage given. Semination. The Rows very wide; yet The Quantity of Seed large! Observations on this’ Circumstance, 128. Time of Sowing, late 129. A i Sr et ne SRS a XVII XIX . utr MMA % ie Pe ee eI ean gee ESE py Scempeiers pp natn ahbagloen es Aa TR a RIES renege AY ee 1 DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. XLii Growing Crop, 129. Horsehoed, and cleaned as in Gardens. Harvesting, 130. Method similar to that of Glocestershire. Perhaps, of Monastic Origin. Kentish Practice described. Produce, four Quarters, 131. Advantages of the Kentish Bean Culture, 132. An Improvement of it suggested. XV ITE Pease 13s: ~ Quantity grown is considerable. Various Methods of havesting Peas, enu- merated, 134. That of the Southern Counties described. ALX.-Tares, Rye,&c, 197. Prevalency of their Culture. On the Winter and Summer Varieties. Succession, Soil, Tillage,&c. Expenditure, chiefly on Cart Horses, 138. Their Use, as a Fallow Crop. XX. Turneps, 139. Proportion large. The Varieties cultivated. Ruta Baga, or Butgous Raps, now entering into Cultivation. Note on its Natural Species, 140. The Succession. The Turnep Fallow well made. Worked until clean. Remarks, on this Point of Practice. The growing Crop well attended to, 141. Sometimes harrowed, before hoing. Expenditure of the Crop, 142. Se a om —_a CQNTENT Ss X XI. Potatoes, 142. Quantity grown inconsiderable. GENERAL REMARKS, on the proper Cii- MATURE for Potatoes. XXII. Clovers, 145. History of the Clover Crop, in Kent. Proportional Quantity great. The Species in Cultivation. Little Raygrass, and why. Succession is after Wheat and Barley, 146. Semination. Young Clovers eaten with Sheep, 147. Conjecture on this Practice. - Application of the Clover Crop, 148. Its Duration is one Year. Harvesting Clover Hay. Expenditure of Aftergrowth. Seed Clover a common Crop, 149. Mills for unsloughing it. Remarks onHarvestinG SEED CLOVER. A- new Method suggested, 150. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS, on the PEr- MANENCY of CLOVER,as an ARABLE Crop, ISI. XXII. Lucern, 152. An ordinary Crop, in Husbandry, 153. Cultivated in the random Manner: Yet will last twenty Years. The Soil a calcareous Loam. Only one Variety of Lucern. Cultivated, as Clover, or Sainfoin, 154. Cleaned, by harrowing. Remarks on this Practice. 7 | Xi | | \ ‘| | ey XX | | sc Ea DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. XV Application, chiefly, to Horses, 154. REMARKS on the Land proper for Lucern. XXIV. Sainfoin, 155. Proportion unusually large. Only one Variety. Suggestions on raising fresh Varieties. Cultivation, 156. Sometimes mixed with Clover. Remark on this admirable Practice. Soil—mostly on Rock, 157. But sometimes on Sand! Examination into this circumstance. Semination, 158. Growing Crop. Instance of a full Crop the first Year! Remark on this extraordinary Fact, 159. Often manured with Soot! General Economy of the SainfoinLey, 160. Duration of Sainfoin is very short. But the Soil is soon refertilized, 161. REMARKS, on sowing it with Clover, on noncalcareous Lands, that have been chalked, or limed, 163. XXV. Grasslands, 163. Proportion very small. Conjectures on this Fact. The Species enumerated, 164. Remark on the cold Uplands. Management very defective, 165. Watering neglected. Hay Harvest, 166. A Method of securing Stacks, from the Wea- ther, fully described. C/OvVN’T EN 7S; XXVI. HOPS, 170. Introductory Remarks. Proportional Quantity grown, 171. Analysis of the Subject, 172. Remarks on Analyzing an Art. Narurat History of the Hop, 173 f The Varieties, in Cultivation, 182. Remarks on Varieties, 184. Sites of Hop Grounds. The Lands employed, 185. Succession of Hops, 186. Soil Process,. for Planting, 187. The Surface invariably flat! 188. An Evil of this. Practice, 189. The Worcestershire Method noticed. The Plants, or Sets, in Use, 1go. Planting, 191. Time of Planting. Setting out the Plantations. Disposition. Distance, 192. Method of Planting detailed. Varieties of Practice, 195. Training young Hops, 196. Skreens of Hop Grounds. Management of the Intervals, 197 Management of the Vines. Enemies of young Hops, 198. On destroying the SopwormM, 199 Manures, 202. The Qualities of Dung attended to. Woolen Rags, in much Use. Lime, and its Effects. The Winter Management of grown Hops. Manuring. The Time is Winter. ¢ fa at ee er pa OE e DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. The Methods are Various. The Quantity used, 205. Remarks on Manuring the Hills, only, Further on the Quantity, 206. Manuring with Rags, 207. Digging the Intervals. The Enemies of Winter, 210. Poles, 210. Species of Woods in Use. Hops have their Choice! The size of Poles, 211. The Price of Poles, 212. | Barking new Poles, 2% 3 Pointing them described. Method of Stacking, 214. Caution requisite, 215. (s The Duration of Poles, 216. 1 Note on that of the Oak. The Disposal of refuse Poles. The Annual Expence of Poles, 217, 3 Suggestion on Charring them. | The Spring Management, 217, Dressing the Roots, Time of Dressing. Opening the Hills, 218. Pruning the Roots. Throwing out Sets. Covering them. Remark on Covering, ZEQ: Poling, 219. Fi The nicest Part of the Culture. q Time of Poling, 220, Number of Poles. f Method of setting up, 221. Distance between the Poles. | Training the Vines, 222. , Time of Tying. 4 Choice of Vines. Number of Vines. Method of Tying, 223: Wind with the Sun! Continuance of Tying. VOE. 1. b —S— a ye er ee ms C-OWN FT EN 135; Branching explained, 224. Remarks on Branching. Enemies of Spring, 225. Management of the Intervals, 226. Undercropping them. The Summer Management, 226. Culture of the Intervals. If cropped, handhoed. If fallowed, horsehoed. Shovelling, its Intention, 227. ReMaARKs On these Operations, 228. Enemies and Diseases of Summer. The Blight, or Lousiness. The Mould. The Fireblast, 229. The being<<‘ set in the Bur,” 230. The Abortion, or‘* Going off.” Evidences of this, 231. OxsservatTions on the Mou p, 233. Criterions of Ripeness, fully explained, 234. Remarks on the Season of Picking, 237. Note on the Bleeding of the Vines. The Quality of Hops, on the Ground, 239. Picking, 240. The Season of Picking. Utensils of Picking. Hop Hovels, 241. Workpeople, 242. Their Various Descriptions. Obs: on Strolling Pickers. A Hopper’s Hut noticed. Their Organization, in the Field. Stewards, 244. Binmen. Pickers. The Operations of the Hop Harvest. Setting out the Lots. Arranging the Bins, 245. Drawing the Poles. Perhaps gather Hops as Apples, N. Placing them at the Bins, 247. The Method of Picking. ssn gah DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. Measuring the picked Hops, 248. The Measure and Price. Stated Time of Measuring, 249. Regulations respecting it Method of Measuring, 250. Keeping the Pickers? Accounts, by Means of DougLe Tauuizs! 251. Carrying to the Drying House, 254. Stripping the Poles, 255. Burning the Vines! The Effect of the Hop Picking, Scenery, 258. The Customs of the Hop Harvest, 259. Wiping the Shoes of Strangers. Decorating the Hats of the Binmen. Hop Supper and Revelry, at the Close, 260. ‘The Drying House, 260. Its general Economy. The Kilns described, 261. Their various Constructions. The Floor or Platform, 262. The Sityations of Drying Houses. Drying or Curing Hops, 263. Its Intention. The Quantity dried, at once. The Skill required, 265. No THERMOMETER in Use. The Fuels employed. Formerly Charcoal. Now, Coke and Charcoal, or Raw Sea Coals. The proportional Quantity used, 266. Coloring Hops, 266. The Material Sulphur. The Practice not fraudulent, and may be beneficial. The Method of Coloring, 267. The Quantity of Sulphur used! The Duration of the Process of Drying, 268. The ordinary Management, on the Kiln. The Criterion of Dryness, The Proportion, between dry and green Hops. b2 in Rural xX C20: NaI EAN TS. Storing the dried Hops, 270. The Intention. Their Duration, in the Store Room. Package, 271. The Material, Size, and Price of Bags. The same of Pockets. The Quality of dried Hops, 272. The Choice of Packages, 273. The Apparatus of Packing, 275. The Method of Filling. The Method of Weighing, 277. The Duty, payable on Hops, 278. Markets, 279. Places of Sale. Chapmen. Time of Selling, 280. Mode of Selling. Criterions of Quality. Price of Bags, 281. of Pockets. A Table of Prices for the last eleven Years, Payment. The Delivery. Partly, by Water. Part, by Land Carriage.| A notable Method of loading Hops, on Waggons, 283. Produce, 283. Most uncertain. By the Acre, 284. Of Individuals, 285. Of Kent. Expences of the Hop Culture, 285. Duration of Hop Grounds, 286. Depends on the Nature of the Land. A calcareous Base requisite to long Duration A judicious Method of converting Hop Grounds to arable Land, 287. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. Seay GENERAL REMARKS on Hops, as a CROP in HusBANDRY, 288. IMPROVEMENTS suggested, 292. XXVII. Orchards, 303. Introductory Remarks. The Species of Fruits, 304. Instance of very large Walnut Trees, N. Chesnuts an uncertain Fruit, 305. Apples are very various.:: The old Varieties gone, or going off. Pears are very little cultivated, and why. Cherries are in high Cultivation, 306. Filberts. Note on their Etymon. Sites of Orchards. The Lands in best Repute, 307. Filberts require good Land; and are thought to impoverish it. Planting Orchards, 308. In Hop Grounds. In Vacant Sites. Mr. ForsTer’s Practice instanced. Training Young Orchards, 309. White Washing the Stems, 310. On GRAFTING. An Error of Practice, on the Cherry. Management of Grown Orchards, 312. The Apple, in some Instances, well attended to. Note on feeding Swine in Orchards! | The Filbert accurately managed, 313. Gathering Fruit, 314. Chiefly gathered by Women. Fruit Ladders described. Preserving Fruit, 315. Markets for Fruit, 316. Modes of Disposal. A judicious one observed, N, XX1l CONT EN MNS: Cider, 317. A Sketch of the Kent Practice. A recent Improvement, N. 318. The Method of making GazLe Wine. Application of the Ground of Orchards, 319. General Remark on the Orchard Manage- ment of Kent, 320. AXVIII. Horses, 320. Formerly, wholly purchased. Now, some bred in the District, 321. XXIX.. Cattle, 921. ‘The proportionate Number is small. The Breeds are Welch, Sussex, and Mongrels. The Welch Breed noticed. The Dairy Produce, 322. Fatting Cattle. Remarks on ground Linseed, as a Material of Fatting, 323. XXX. Swine, 324. The Breeds various,_ The Management unnoticed, 325. XX XI. Sheep, 325. ‘The Number few; especially in Summer. Marsh Lambs, in Winter, 326. Note onthe Natura Foop or SHEEP, The Store Flocks are Wedders of the Wiltshire and South Down Breeds. Fatting Sheep the same. Oil Cake a Material of Fatting. A General Remark, on the permanent Pro- ductiveness of this District, 328. Improvements suggested, 329. List of Rates, 33%. CONTENTS. XX1 THE WEALD OF KENT. Introductory Remarks, 335. On the popular Name of the“ Wild.” The Wild of Kent and Sussex. Its Extent, 336. Its Description. Contains two Vale Districts. Further, on the Name of this Tract, 337. The Vale Lands of Kent, 338. Situation and Outline. Extent—200 square Miles. Information respecting these Lands, 339. Their Elevation, 340. The Surface is Shell-form. Its Waters form a Branch of the Medway, 341 Note on the IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS. The Soils various; but mostly retentive, 342. The Roads extremely bad, 243. The Townships varied in size, 344. The Reason of this Variety. The State of Inclosure, 345. The present Productions. Arable Lands predominant. Grass Lands few. Much Woodland, on the East Side. Hop Grounds and Orchards—partial, 346. Woodlands, 346. Farms, 347. XXIV GOON TE NiT Ss. Beasts of Draft. Oxen, in Yoke, common. The Ox Muzzle described. Remark, concerning it. Outline of Management, 349. Manures. Lime burnt from Chalk. Though the District contains Limestone. Opinion on Chalk and Stone Limes, 349. A noncalcareous Marlin Use, 350, The Turnwrest Plow common! Cattle, 350. The Breed, the Middle Horn. The Extent of this Variety. Very uneven, in Quality, 352. Note on the Flesh of Cattle. Has been injured by Crossing. The Circumstances related, 253: State of Husbandry, 354. Improvements, 354. By Leying the Weald Lands, 355- A successful Instance. By extending the Medway Navigation, 356. ROMNEY MARSH. Means of Information, Low Situation described, 358. Extent seventyfive square Miles. The Elevation below Spring Tides. Surface remarkably level and smooth, 359. Reasons oftered for this. ROMNEY MARSH. XXV Waters of the Area, 360. The Soils vary. GeoLoGicaL Remarks, on their Formation, 361. Inhabitants few, 363. Towns and Villages, 364. Graziers mostly non-resident. «« Lookers” manage the Marsh Lands. The State of Healthiness, 365. ‘The Roads excessively bad. The State of Inclosure, 366. Rail or Water Fences. Destitute of Shelter. The evil Effects of this. The Embankment or‘* Sea Wall,” 367. The Bank, natural, or artificial. The artificial Bank described, 368. Tradition respecting the River Rother, N. The Defence of the Sea Side, 369. By Jetties. By Piles and Fagots, 370. By Stones, 371. The Drainage is simple, 371. The Expence of both levied by a Rate. The present Produce, 372. The Objects of the Marsh Farmers. Grass Lands. The Species pretty uniform: But the Quality various. The Herbage that of old Grass Lands, 373. Remark on its Propagation. The Draining well attended to, 374. Note on the Use of Sea Mud. Mostly sound Sheep Pasture. Note on the“* Spearwort,”’ or Rot, 375. The Application of Grass Lands, 375. Management of Pasture Lands, 376. Usually** brushed,” with the Sithe. The Stock of Pasture Grounds. ¥ 4 | ‘a 4 i PO ror ee Snag Une ES KXVI CONTENTS. The Rate of Stocking, with Sheep. Hard Stocking with«‘ Tegs,”’ 377. Stocking, with fatting Sheep, 378. Sheep, 378. The Breed is a Variety of Kent Sheep. Its probable Origin. Note on: Marsh Wool. Its Characteristics, 379. Compared with the Fen Breed. Its present State of Improvement, 380. As yet in its Infancy. Note on the Fen Breed. The Means copied. Present Improvers, 381. The Progress yet made. The Description of Flocks, 382. Breeding Flocks. Time of giving the Ram, late. The Reason for this. The Loss in Winter, often great! But the best survive! 383. A cruel Principle of Improvement.» In mild Winters they do tolerably well. Improvements proposed, 383. Breeding Flocks are requisite, and why, 384. The general Economy, at present, proper, 385. Shelter is the chief Thing wanted, 386. Mound Coppice Fences would give it. Remarks on raising them. Fill up the present Water Fences, 389. The Means of effecting this Improvement. The Advantages to arise from it, 391. On raising Marram Banks, near Romney, 392. On Reclaiming the gravelly Flat, near Hithe, 393. THE DISTRICT OF C A N.TLE.R: B.OLE..Y. Introductory Remarks, 396. The Hop District, of East Kent, defined, 397, Species in Cultivation. The Soil of the Canterbury Plantations, 398. Also of the Valley of Harbledown. Remark on the Natural Soil of the Hop, 399. Planting, 399. The Distance short. The Disposition varied. Instances of planting, in Rows, 400. Manures, in Use, 4oo. Poles shorter, than in West Kent. Spring Management, 4or. Undercrops common. Remark on drawing off the Aphis from Hops. Summer Management. Enemies, of 1795, 402. The Aphis in great Force. Destroyed by Coccinelle. The Blight carried off the Crop! Note on the Cause of the BLicuT, 403. Facts respecting it. Remarks on these Facts, 404. With practical Reflections, 406. i 4 { | XXVIII CON TEN TS: Picking, 407. The Season later, than in West Kent, and why. The Business of Picking differs from that of West Kent. Picking Baskets described. The Picking Horse described, 408. Arrangement of Pickers. Comparison between the two Methods, 409. Tallies, and Tokens, in Use. Drying House, 409. One, on an admirable Plan, described. The Canterbury Kiln described, 410. The Practice, in other Particulars, similar to that of. West Kent, 411. ae je ed CU ADVERTISEMENT. Ir HAS NOT BEEN in consequence of an intended route, or any arbitrary arrange- ment, that I finish my Survey of English Agriculture, where I began my PRACTICE: but has been brought about, by a chain of unforeseen CIRCUMSTANCES, by which I have been directed, since the publication of the MinuTEs oF AGRICULTURE, in 1777, to the close of the Survey of the Southern Counties, in 1797. I can claim no merit in having unexpect- edly gone through the first and most diffi- cult part of my proposed Plan;* except * See the INTRODUCTION to the RuraL Econo- mY of NORFOLK. XX ADVERTISEMENT. that of persevering in the work I had un- dertaken; and embracing every fair oppor- tunity, that offered, to forward my general design. And although, through the means of that assistance which I asked for, in vain, I might have finished my Survey, in a shorter time, it is doubtful, whether the information, thereby collected, would have been equally useful, as that which has been furnished, ina more INCIDENTAL manner: for, in that case, two of the three main branches of rural knowledge would, pro- bably, have been omitted, or slightly touch- ed on.* The MEANS of INFORMATION, by which the materials of the pRESENT voLUMES have been collected, appearing at the heads of the respective DISTRICTS, it is unnecessary to enumerate them, here. * See as before a ai ADVERTISEMENT. XXxi It is proper, however, to explain, in this place, what might otherwise appear to be an error of the press. In the first Volume, there are repeated references, to the« fol- lowing minuTEs:” for it was my intention to have joined a sELEcTION of the MinurEs, &c. of AGRicULTURE, in the SouTHERN Counties(formerly published) with the established practice of the same DEPART- MENT; agreeably to the plan of publica- tion observed, in the Eastern, the Midland, and the more Western departments. But attempting to make the intended se- lection, and finding so much less, than I expected, to reject, especially in the os- SERVATIONS(which, I think it right to say, form, in my own opinion, by far the most valuable part of what I have written, inas- much as they show the practitioner how to profit, in a summary yet scientific manner, by his own practice) I determined to assi- Se. { ee enc ro ~~——-*:= 2 RSSestt 2: te ce carpe, XXXil ADVERTISEMENT. milate the whole(saving such retrench- ments and corrections, as twenty years ex- perience has enabled me to make) under an arrangement, similar to that adopted, in publishing the information, which has risen from my own practice, in the several de- partments, abovementioned; and to print them, separately, in two volumes; to corre- spond with these and the other volumes which I have published: thus reducing the several volumes to the same plan; and, in effect, uniting them in one Work. London, May, 1798. een THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF ENGLAND. Tue PART of the island, to which I assign this name, is included between the Thames and the English Channel, and be- tween the West of England and the Bri- tish Sea; comprising the counties of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, and part of Wiltshire. It is distinguished by its CHALKY HEIGHTS, of which no inconsiderable part of it is formed. It contains, however, a variety of soils, and breaks into some well defined NATURAL DisTRicTs, which will require to be separately described; and contains some AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS, that are entitled to minute examination. VOL. 1. aa ~ 2 THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES,&c. The particular parts, of which I propose to speak, are the following: The District of Maidstone. The Weald of Kent. Romney Marsh. The District of Canterbury. The Isle of Thanet. The Valley of Farnham. The Heaths of Surrey,&c. The Weald of Sussex. The District of Petworth. The Sea Coast of Sussex. The Isle of Wight. The Chalk Hills. —s- DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. BEFORE I enter upon a description of this fertile district, and its rural manage- ment, it will be proper to mention the means by which I am enabled to execute the undertaking.: Kent having long been celebrated for the variety and excellence of its husbandry, and the neighbourhood of Maidstone compris- ing the various branches of its culture, whether of GRAIN, FRUIT, or Hops, I made an effort to obtain knowledge of such high estimation, and which was essentially ne- cessary to the completion of my plan. In 1790, I spent three months, in West Kent; namely the months of August, Sep- Be 4 THE DISTRICT: tember, and October; and, having no other object in view, than that of making myself master of its rural practices, I had sufficient time to gain what was most material to my purpose. Finding, however, in the rough draught of the following account, that some blanks required to be filled up, I returned to the district, in October last, in order to collect the required materials. THE SITUATION of this district is be- tween the eastern division of the Chalk Hills, and the Weald of Kent; the line of separation from the last, being chiefly a nar- row ridge of hill, which has been rendered remarkable by modern encampments; Cox- heath occupying a principal part of it. To the east, this favored district is closed, by a south-eastern direction of the Chalk Hills pointing toward the ridge just men- tioned, and by a barren sandy flat which fills the contracted space between them; except such part as is occupied by the nar- row, but fertile, valley of the Len, which shoots some few miles eastward from the main body of the district. The western boundary is less definite. The fertile lands, that properly form the a OF MAIDSTONE. 5 district, accompany the Medway to Tun- bridge, and spread with its branches, in dif- ferent directions; consequently, include the rich flat(below Tunbridge) which is form- ed by their junction, and which opens, to the south, into the Weald of Kent. The OUTLINE of the district is ren- dered altogether irregular, by a mass of hill, (whose summit is occupied by Wrotham Heath, with Teston and other commons) being thrown in, from its north-western confines, so as to reach its very center, and separate, in some degree, the fertile’ lands of Malling, from those last mentioned. The winding banks of the Medway form the natural bond between them; and the largest and most valuable part of the dis- trict. The EXTENT of so irregular a field would be difficult to ascertain, with exact- ness. It ranks, in size, with the VALE oF Taunton.* Its more fertile lands may be laid at a hundred square miles. The ELEVATION of these lands, with respect to the sEa, is small. The TIDE * See the WEST OF ENGLAND. 6 THE DISTRICT flows to Maidstone,* and the Medway is no where rapid; and although its broad banks rise considerably from its bed, the prin- cipal part of the more fertile lands lie low. Nevertheless, in some places, they rise to what is properly called up.anps. But the richest of them are of the MIDDLE GROUND class. What is very remarkable of a rich valley, it has no marshes, meadows, or other WATERFORMED LANDS; except a small flat below Aylesford;+- and except the head or crown of what might be termed the main stem of the river, where the principal branches unite; and, there, the flatness of the surface, and the nature of the subsoil, render it probable, that, at some early. pe- riod, the space which those low flat lands now fill was occupied by water. The comparative elevation of the district, with respect to the ADJACENT COUNTRY, is low. The Coxheath and Wrotham hills: * Before the navigation lock was formed, at Marp- STONE, the tide flowed a few miles above the town; which is happily situated; on a fertile soil, and within the reach of the tide. t The larger flat, below Snodland, is not considered as being within the limits of the district under view. i sk tome* OF MAIDSTONE. 7 overlook it; and these are overtopped by the chalk downs. SURFACE. What is said, above, may convey a general idea of the irregularity and unevenness of the surface, which cha- racterize this district. And, when’ examin- ed, in detail, minor inequalities’ are found: especially on its southern banks; where, in many parts, the surface is broken, to a degree of ruggedness, into dells and irregu- lar hollows; in the way in which the sur- facés of stoney substructures are frequently diversified. The CLIMATURE of the district of Maidstone is less forward, than might be expected, from its situation,—whether we view it with regard to latitude(51° 15’) elevation, or substructure. In 1790(an> ordinary year) wheat harvest commenced the latter end of the first week in August. A proof of the mildness of the autumn of that year, in the climature of this district, was observable in the blowing of the prim- rose. On the 28th of October, there were thick beds of this plant, in full blow; especially on the rubbish of neglected stone quarries. § THE DISTRICT The only RIVER is the Mepway; whose waters,—except what rise above Tunbridge, “and except what are collected in the Weald, —are chiefly furnished by this district, and its marginal banks. The SOILS are various. That of the best hop and orchard grounds, in the neigh- bourhood of Maidstone, is of a peculiar na- ture, a dark-colored, closely textured, clayey loam, or free working clay, of different depths. It is termed«Coomb.” Thenext is a deep rich“* Loam,” of a still freer tex- ture. This is mostly mixed with stones of different kinds: some of them of a calcare- ous nature. In some places, the stones pre- dominate so as almost to hide the soil. In this case, they are mostly non-calcareous; and such soil is termed“ Stoneshatter;’— an appropriate name; the stones of which it 1s composed appearing to be the fragments of shattered rocks. The east end of the Coxheath hills, and the southern banks of the valley of the Len, are covered with a pale-colored retentive clayey loam,—a woodland soil: while, in the flat, between this and the feet of the Chalk Hills, a sheer sand is prevalent; yet, i | Rieti ST ntcacamcenenne oon Lanigeor ec RET eee ;——— enna jsiideligiecs| emnanas are rae 5 Seer \ a OF MAIDSTONE. 9 adjoining to the better soils of the environs of Maidstone, even these: sands are fertile,— by nature or culture. The flat lands, at the west end of che district, are of a silty nature; a fine pale- colored sand; which,-when resting on an absorbent base, is of extraordinary fertility. The SUBSOILS, of these vale lands, are various, as the soils.‘That of the best land is termed‘ Rock;”—is of a stoney nature, and mostly of a calcareous quality; as will be shown, in speaking of FossiL PRopUc- TIONS. The cool lands, in the south-eastern parts of the district, generally lie, I believe, on a brown, or rust-colored earth—provinci- ally,<° Pinnock,” or,‘¢.ned Pin:7; appa- rently of a chalybeate nature. The sandy soils of the east end have a deep white sand for their base.‘The best of the silt, or fine sand, of the west end, have a gravelly, the weaker part of these lands, a andy sub- soil. On the whole, the soils and substrata of this district show that it is composed of a mixture of materials, of various origin, thrown together in the most irregular man fo)_. THE. DISTRICT ner, and that the fertility of the better parts is chiefly owing to the depth ef their sur- face mold, and to the absorbency, as v-ell as the calcareosity, of their substrata. Their several degrees of fertility will best appear, in speaking of the crops they produce. FOSSIL PRODUCTIONS. The banks of the Medway are scooped, in a remark- able manner, into STONE QUARRIES: Many of them old, and disused: some of them now in work. This is the nearest stone country into which water carriage can penetrate, from the metropolis. The stone edifices of an- cient London were probably built with materials from the banks of the Medway.* Modern London, I believe, was chiefly paved with Kentish rag,(or with large pebbles gathered on the sea shores) before the stones of Scotland came into use. There is a re- markable valley or dell, above Maidstone, called the Deans, which has much the ap- pearance of being artificial. The base is flat, as if formed by art, and the sides steep * The basement of that part of Westminster Abbey, which fronts Palace Yard, is demonstrably from those quarries; as will presently be shown. -— OB‘MAIDSTONE. It and rugged; and theupper end has still’more the appearance of a neglected-quarry. At Allington, below Maidstone; the neglected quarries take up an extent of surface. These are the lowest, with respect to situation on the river, of any I have observed on the Medway: they are, of course, the nearest the Thames; and were probably first cleared from the more valuable stones. The most considerable quarries, now’ in work, I believe, are those of F arleigh, and that of Fant. These I examined; and from ' thelatter, more particularly,took specimens. In each of these quarries are'seen blocks ot stones, of different kinds; and: of every shape and dimensions; separated! by seams, and large irregular masses of earth, of dif- ferent qualities: among the rest, brick earth of the first quality.. In some places, the stones are buried several feet, under these earthy materials; in others, the rock. rises to the surface. After this, the quarrymen worm their way; following’ it; with irre- gular windings; leaving behind them re- fuse, in greater quantity, than the useful materials they raise. The stoney substances are’ of two very distinct kinds: the one hard, and ofa strong 12 THE DISTRICT contexture, provincially“Rac,” or“Kent- isH Rag,’—the other a soft crumbly tex- ture,—provincially“Hassock.” The first is separated, by the quarrymen, into two shed 5 —common rag, and“ CorKsTonE;” the last being their principal object; and in searching for it, the immense works, under notice, have doubtless been prosecuted. These three species of fossils require to be viewed separately. CorksToNE. This, in general appearance, resembles the strong grey limestones, which are found in various parts of England. But, examined under a glass, its fracture and contexture bear the characters of the De- vonshire marbles; except that the grain of the corkstone is somewhat coarser. In color too, it differs from the Devonshire marbles; resembling more the Yorkshire limestones. By three separate experiments, with spe- cimens taken from different quarries, one| hundred grains, dissolved in dilute marine acid, yield nearly eightyeight grains of cal- careous earth; affording somewhat more than twelve grains of indissoluble matter; a brown earthy powder; witha few white, crystalline particles. Its uses. At present, this stone is sent in cons hoa ito cil his I Co sa nye and ston rable OF MAIDSTONE. 13 considerable quantities, to the neighbour- hood of the metropolis; where it is burnt into lime, for the use of sugar bakers; who chiefly, I understand, use lime, burnt from this material.* 3 Corkstone+- is likewise used, at present, as a building material; and, particularly, in pedestals, for the posts of cattle sheds, and other farm offices. It is hewn with’ stonemasons’ axes, and works with tole- rable freedom. It is with this stone the part of WesT- MINSTER ABBEY, Mentioned in a note afore- going, has been built. In color, grain, and composition, the materials of this an- client structure agree, perfectly, with the corkstone, now raised, in the district of Maidstone. A small fresh-broken frag- * Since writing the above, I-have been informed, that they have lately found a stone, on the coast of Sussex, which answers their purpose, and.is raised at a less expence. Why do suGAR BAKERS prefer sTONE lime to CHALK lime? The different qualities of limes(for they pretty evidently possess different qualities) form a sub- ject which is entitled to the HUSBANDMAN’s attention. + Q. A corruption of caulkstone? See NorFoik PROVINCIALISMS. I A I TES TR TST 14 THE DISTRICT ment of the former being placed ina hollow, or indenture, of a piece of the latter, not only lay. undistinguished, by the naked eye, but was equally indetectable by a strong magnifier, moved slowly over their sur- faces. And, by analysis, their identity is equally proved.-‘ In this case, it appears to have been dress~_ ed smooth; and the surface still remains with little alteration; having stood the at- tack of time, with great firmness; it being, even now, difficult to detect a loosened splinter for a specimen. Common Rac. This term is indefinite: including every species of stone, which rises in these quarries, and which is neither cork- stone nor hassock. Nevertheless the‘‘ true Kentish Rag,” pure and unmixed with the other two species, is a distinct fossil; bearing characters, different from any other, I have examined. In general appearance, however, even the purest specimens have some resemblance to the corkstone; except that the color of the specimens I collected, inclines more to a red, or liver color. But, under a glass, the grain is finer, and the fracture more - i— SE ats oe Sh eT ——— eS OF MAIDSTONE. 1s " flintlike: and it throws off more fire, with steel, even than flint does; owing, perhaps, > to the greater roughness of its fractured surface. The marine acid makes little or no im- pression on the stone; acting merely on ,_ the particles loosened by fracture. But, in a. state of powder the acid operates freely 3 upon it; dissolving a greater or smaller part, in proportion to its purity. One hundred grains of the purest specimen, I collected, yielded barely twenty grains of calcareous matter, But, in another trial, with a compound specimen, from different 7 quarries, the same quantity afforded forty- three grains of dissoluble matter; leaving aresidue of fiftyseven grains of very fine | sand, or crystalline particles, ofa silver co- lor: incohesive, in themselves, but adhere- ing slightly, to the fingers. And, from a hundred grains of another specimen, which I had pointed out to me, by a quarryman, as a“ fair sample of Kentish Rag,” I got, in one trial, near eightyeight, and, in an- other, upwards of ninety grains of calca- reous earth: this specimen, on close exa- mination being evidently a mixture of cork- stone and hassock. 16 THE DISTRICT The uses, to which the common ragstone is put, at present, are few. Some of the most regular, best faced stones, may be thrown aside for paving materials; but, in general, the larger pieces are sent, by water, to Romney Marsii(for a purpose which will be mentioned in that district;). and the smaller, towards Tunbridge, as a road material. Hassock. The general appearance of this uncommon fossil, to the naked eye, is that of a soft white sand stone; and its fracture is thesame. Under a glass, its grain is fine, its contexture uniform, and so thickly in- terspersed, with minute seedlike granules, of a black or dark color, as to give it a grey appearance. One piece bears the evident impression of a shell. Its texture is loose and brittle; crumbling easily be- tween the fingers, into a coarse, sand-like powder. By the marine acid, an hundred grains, of one specimen, yielded seventy, of another seventytwo grains of calcareous matter. The residue was fine sand; in which the minute granules noticed, remained, appa- rently, unaltered; except that their color had become less bright, or glossy. aT agp OF MAIDSTONE. 17 These granules yielding to pressure, as vegetable substances, I placed thirteen grains and a half of the residuum, in a crucible; and kept them, some minutes, within a red heat; and though no evident combustion took place, they lost two grains of their original weight. The eleven grains and a half, washed on a filter, lost near a grain more. Again: burnt, in an open crucible, two hundred grains, of the crude fossil, re- duced to a coarse powder, a quarter of an hour. It changed to a cinnamon color, and lost seven grains of its weight. Ma- -cerated the residue, in water, and dried it ona filter. It regained two grains of its weight; thus losing, by the process, five grains: a further evidence of these minute granules, or particles, being of a vegetable nature. It is further observable, that not only the hassock, but the ray and corkstone are partially intermixed with the same par- ticles; which are likewise observable, in the loose stones of the soil: thus pervading the whole of the harder fossils; and may be mixed with the soils and earths; in which they are less easy to be detected. These VOL. 5, C 18 THE DISTRICT appearances are to me the more remark-| a able; as, in the various stones, I have exa- I mined and dissolved, I never met with| al them; except in this district.| ql The hassock has been passed through a‘i ral lime kiln, by way of experiment, to prove| its quality, as a limestone;.but without suc- tl cess: it did not fall, as lime! nor does it} ar fall down, or dissolve wholly, in dilute t marine acid; notwithstanding it is almost( wholly calcareous! It effervesces strongly,‘ on the first immersion; but does not break»" down, entirely, like other fossils of equal t ealcareosity: and this, notwithstanding its' looseness of texture.‘ Its only use, in agriculture, appears to be:, in the state of rubble; asa subsoil. And, in this capacity, it is probably of singular|, value; not for sainfoin only; but for other.| crops. For being of a loose friable texture,‘ the fibrils of plants may the more easily find admission; and, being chiefly calcareous, it is singularly adapted to the nourishment of the numerous tribe of cultivated plants, which affect absorbent, calcareous substrata. FuLier’s Eartu is another fossil pro- duction of this district. In 1790, there was. a> —->——<= OF MAIDSTONE. 1g a pit, in work, near Maidstone; where a Jarge space of ground has been worked over. But the covering of sand, under which it is buried, is of such a depth, as to render the works of little value. The TOWNSHIPS, into which the fer- tile lands of this district have been divided, are of the middle size, or somewhat below it. And all that is required to be said of the viLLAcEs is, that they are much more numerous than the churches. Most town- ships have their“‘ streets,’ or hamlets, de- tached from each other. An arrangement that ismuch more convenient than the large single villages, which are too prevalent in the townships of many districts. Of the INHABITANTS, or their pasi- TATIONS, little requires to be said. The former are mostly personable, and the latter on a par, at least, with those of the rest of the kingdom. The EMPLOYMENTS of working people are, chiefly, those of HUSBANDRY: the cultivation of Hops furnishes employment for many hands. The PAPER MANUFACTURE, which is carried on, to a great extent, in the district, also gives work to numbers. Ce 20 THE DISTRICT The ROADS are mostly of stone; and p are much above mediocrity; with intelli- h gent guide posts, in singular abundance. i That between Maidstone and Wrotham M was, in 1790, one of the best stone roads, tl I have travelled: well formed, and well du kept.}| The HEDGES OF LANES, as well as the tn BRUSHWOOD, on the sIDES of HORSE PATHS, W and rooT PATHS, are singularly well at- b tended to, here. It is not unusual to see the latter, in passing through woods and a coppice grounds, or winding through the 0 | wide borders of hedgerows, arched over, by It | the tall-grown sapplings, whose heads have 0 | risen above the reach of the pruning hook, { or above the head of the passenger. Even| i| waggon ways, through woods, are opened | in a similar manner., These attentions give a neatness to the‘ f face of a country, and great accommodation to a traveller; and, at the same time, pre- d vent a waste of land; as well as give t greater efficacy to the fences, and fulness 4 to the underwood; beside saving the loads of corn, passing through, in harvest. More- over, a Waggon way, bridle road, or foot OF MAIDSTONE. 25 path, through woodland, requires not to be so wide, under this treatment, as when the brushwood is suffered to encroach on the road, or pathway. The expence at- tending it is inconsiderable. The intro- duction of the practice is its only difficulty. INLAND NAVIGATION passes en- tirely through the-district: the river Med- way being rendered navigable to Tun- bridge. RIVER NAVIGATIONS have some advan- tages.over those of cANALs. The one adds beauty to a country,—the other disfigures. it: the one incurs a waste of land,—the other is capable of being rendered highly beneficial to the lands on either side of it. The Jocks of river navigations preclude the expence of dams or hatches; and might, in many instances, be rendered equally use- ful; in watering the adjacent lands. STATE OF INCLOSURE. The entire district appears to have been inclosed, from the forest or pasture state. I observed not a trace of common field lands. Every part, now, is in a state of inclosure; except the heaths that have been mentioned; and ex- cept a few small commons, which intermix, 22 THE DISTRICT more intimately, with the inclosed lands. Barming Heath, a well soiled common pas~ ture of some extent, and lying nearly in a state of waste, being overrun with rubbish, is the most considerable. PRESENT PRODUCE. In the environs of Maidstone and Malling, and for several miles up the valley of the Medway, above Maidstone, half the country appears to the eye, ina general view of it, to be occupied by HOP GROUNDS, and ORCHARDS; and, in reality, they occupy no inconsiderable part of it. ARABLE CROPS, however, cover the greater space of ground. Woop, if we reckon the wide woody borders of hedge- rows, take up no small share of the lands of the district: one wood, that of East Malling, is near three miles in extent: and, in the southeastern quarter, the quantity of woodland is considerable. Permanent GRass LAND,—perennial herbage,—is, by far, the least considerable of its. present produc- tions. APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY. After the sketch, that is here offered, of the natural features, and present productions, of the district, its appearance, in the light OF MAIDSTONE. 23 of ORNAMENT, will be readily conceived, by minds conversant in rural scenery. A diversity of surface, in the nearer grounds, partially covered with woods and orchards, and frequently receiving splendor from de- tached bends of the Medway, breaking out among them, and with the bold and some- times rugged cliffs of the surrounding hills, in good distance, compose the ordinary scenery of the district. | In RECLUSE SCENERY, this passage of country is not very productive. Yet it is not destitute of secluded beauty. The lovely deli of Loos, were it not disfigured by ma- nufacture, would abound with picturable passages. In the more broken and recluse parts of the banks of the Medway, scenes well suited to the pencil are sometimes caught. From particular points of the Coxheath hills, the principal parts of this district are commanded, on the one hand, and the en- tire vale lands of the Weald of Kent, on the other. From the chalky heights, above Boxley, the two are united, in the same view; and, from the same or nearly the same point, the more valuable parts of East Z se ee cate a—,; gf ( ae.—— il aa := 7"==$i= ae nT A TS Gan rors: a 5 || se es 24 THE DISTRICT,&c. , Kent, with the isles of Thanet and Shepey, the coast and rising grounds of Essex, the different bends and reaches of the Thames, Rochester and its rich environs, and the conflux of the Medway with the estuary of the Thames, are spread, as a map, imme- diately under the eye. From these heights, (situated in the center of the county) and within the compass of.a few miles, almost every thing that is rich and beautiful, in Kent,(except the more immediate envi- rons of the Metropolis) may be brought within view. a ST TE IT OY Me THE RURAL ECONOMY OF THIS DISTRICT. DIVISION THE FIRST. ESTATES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. PREFATORY REMARK. TO gain full information, on this branch of the rural science, it is requisite to take some active part in the management of landed property, or to have a free com- munication with proprietors or managers. My loss of these means of information, in the district under view, is the less, as it. is the HUsBANDRY of Kent which is estimable, rather than any superiority it claims, in the management of estates. =:. —— ner--*. 4 eee km nT ities 08s eee ee 26 ESTATES. i. ESTATES. LANDED PROPERTY is here much divided. The ancient law of descent, which the brave inhabitants, of this quarter of the realm, secured from the ravages of the Con- queror, serves, in some measure, to coun- teract the inordinate accumulation of pro- perty. By the law of GaveELkinp,“ the lands descend, not to the eldest, youngest, or any one son only, but to all the sons to- gether; which was, indeed, anciently the more usual course of descent all over Eng- land.’’*, Nevertheless, the district of Maidstone contains landed estates of considerable size; and is therefore good evidence to show, that, notwithstanding the law of Gavelkind is capable of multiplying landed proprietors, and of producing that most valuable order of men, any country can possess—men who * BracksTong, Book II. ch. 6. f. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 27 occupy their ownestates,and who are at once est calculated to defend, and cultivate, their country,—yet it does not obstruct the ac- cumulation of property, so much, as to prevent the distinctions in society, which appear to be necessary to the lasting wel- fare of a nation; and the suppression of this ancient law may well be considered, as the greatest evil, which the Norman Con- quest entailed on this country.* 2 TENANTING ESTATES. The SPECIES of TENANCY, most prevalent at present, is that of the tenants holding their farms AT WILL, or from YEAR * Whether any of the larger estates of the district are, or are not, disgavelled, 1 had no opportunity of ascertaining. Supposing that the whole of them are, still the utility of the Gavelkind tenure remains evident. For no one, I believe, will deny, that the laws respect- ing the landed property of Kent, as they now stand, are singularly conducive to the permanent prosperity of a country. OF get ay 28 TENANTING ESTATES. 2. | TO YEAR; especially on the Jarger estates:| tl on which, I understand, LEASEs were for-| i merly granted. So that with respect to| se this department of rural management, the| C practice of the district may be said to be| i retrograde. Proprietors’ motives for such| ee a change I did not learn.| Itt The RENTS of the loamy and stronger| aN lands, for the more ordinary purposes of| At husbandry, rise from twenty. to fifty shil-| re lings, an acre. Deep coomMs or Rock, in| th the neighbourhood of Maidstone, fit for the| a purpose of hop grounds, let still higher:| ila the lands, in general, being TITHEABLE; and|| the TITHE(except of hops) being frequently iy or mostly, taken in kind!| iu The TIMES OF RECEIVING rents, I un-|$0 derstand, are Michaelmas and Ladyday;| the landlord usually allowing six months’ re credit. an COVENANTS. This is the only de-| ey partment of England, in which I have not| te been able to procure the FoRM OF A LEASE, Ba in modern use. From what I gathered ter among professional men, the RESTRICTIONS| have never been numerous; and what may en surprize most men, out of Kent, there is se DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 29 seldom any limitation with respect to the quantity of hop ground, which shall be cultivated on a given farm. Indeed, where farms are held at will, or from year to year, a restriction of this nature is unnecessary; as the raising of hops to a state of profit, incurs a certain and great expence, without any hope of being presently repaid for it. And proprietors experiencing the superior rental value of hop grounds, compared with that of mere arable lands, are of course more solicitous to prevent their destruction, than to check their increase. Repairs of purtpincs are done chiefly by the tenants. The proprietor usually furnishing rough materials; and doing, in some cases, the larger repairs. FENcEs, on the contrary, are not only repaired, but new ones generally planted and reared, at thetenant’s expence: a strong evidence this,(whenever it takes place by tenants at will) of the confidence which still subsists between proprietors and their tenants. REMOVALS. The accustomed TIME of entry and removal is MicnartMas. The outgoing tenant, I understand, is usually 30 TENANTING ESTATES.*= 2: permitted to work the broken grounds in- tended for wheat. The outgoing tenant to thrash out his own corn; and, for this purpose, to keep possession of the BARNS, until Mayday. a. FARM BUILDINGS. Viewing these buildings, in the aggregate, they are, in outward appearance, at least, much inferior to those of most other dis- tricts of the southern parts of the island. The fashion for showy farm-houses and offices has, fortunately perhaps, not yet gained a footing, here. The same style of building, which has probably prevailed for centuries, is yet, or has continued until very lately, in use. The MATERIAL of farm buildings is still chiefly woop! The syexu of the dwelling house is fre- quently of what is called half timber: the 7 3 DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 31 pannels being sometimes filled in with plaster work; sometimes with bricks. A more modern shell is of ordinary studwork, faced with flat tiles, put on scalewise, as slates are in the West of England; some of these facing tiles being square at the lower end; others of an ornamental or fancy form. A still more modern material, for the shells of dwelling houses, is brick. But what strikes the mind with a degree of surprize, after observing the quantity of stone the district affords, is, that it should at no time have been used, as an ordinary material of building. This circumstance, however, is accounted for, in the difficulty and expence of raising it, in its hardness, and in the art of building with irregular undressed stones, not having been introduced (unless in ancient buildings) into this quar- ter of the Island. The shell of the barn, and other farm offices, is almost invariably of studworkand weather boarding; the coarse timber of hedgerows, particularly the elm, being usually converted to this purpose. The coverinc, of dwelling houses, is chiefly plain tiles; of farm offices, mostly thatch. Baroy vag— tina ea / 32 FARM BUILDINGS. 4. FARMERIES. On the subject of pLan- NING farm yards, and arranging offices, little is to be learnt in this district. Every thing appears to be fortuitous. The straw| yard frequently exposed, and the buildings|| aukwardly placed. In some of the yards|: of the higher class of yeomanry, however, approaches to a more regular and commo-, a dious plan are observable. ee Barns are, in general, much too low. a They may be said to be all roof: mere q tents. A form, or mode of construction,! which prevails throughout the southern| counties; and which has probably had its origin, in the early stages of cultivation;: when the entire offices of a farm, and per- s haps the dwelling itself, were included un- der one and the same roof; which is brought|| down to within a few feet of the ground; q in order to provide stabling, cattle sheds, lodgements for implements, straw,&c.: and, of course, vermin; of which those leantos| or‘* killases” are the nurseries, and har-. bours. Barn FLOors are of plank or of earth. I observed none of stone: yet the corkstone of the neighbourhood appears to be pecu- Bs DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 33 liarly applicable to this purpose. See Gio- CESTERSHIRE.* y| The Oastuouse, for the drying, storing and bagging of Hops,—a building of higher estimation even than the barn itself,—will be described under that head. : It may be noticed, that, in forming: stone | PEDESTALS, for the posts of sheds, mortices| are sunk in the tops of them, to step the| posts in: and, to prevent water from lodg- ing in the bottoms of the Mortices, so as. to injure the tenons, small holes are drilled through the sides of the stones, into the bottoms of the mortices. This precaution, however, though very ingenious, does not give equal firmness and security to the foot i of the post, as an iron pin rising out of the fa center of the pedestal. See West or Enc- LAND, MINUTES 4o. * Refer to the INDEX of the RuRAL Economy of GLOCESTERSHIRE. tekstas Poot ser aoe eR Sw aes= =' Zane. i lg nee a oe G» _ iS FIELD FENCES. 4. FIELD FENCES. FORMERLY, the fences of this district, as of others-that have been inclosed from the forest or woodland state, have mostly. been the same wide woody borders, or hedgerows, which prevail if the Wealds of Kent and Sussex, and which still’ abound, in the more recluse parts of the district un- der view, In different parts of it, but particular- ly on its southern banks, the remains of rough‘ STONE HEDGES are seen: a species of fence which is now growing into disuse. Where the hop culture has been intro- duced, SfRAIGHT LIVE HEDGES are pretty generally seen; and some have been raised between ordinary arable inclosures. Indeed, a spirit for clearing away crooked wide hedgerows, and raising straight thin hedges in their steads, may be said to be now high Fs »# 3 hed ges. 4s‘ DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 3 on the wing, among the yeomanry of this part of Kent; and in no part of the Island, are they planted; and trained, with greater care and success. In some of the hop ground townships, scarcely a pollard, or a rough unpruned hedge is-left. For, where the old hedgerows are not entirel y cleared avay, they are, more or less, straightened, nar- rowed, and pruned on the sides, so as to render them Nearly as eligible as planted aire Ae . NEW HEDGES are invariably of Haw- THORN.; and are usually PLANTED ON LEVEL GROUND: mostly on the sides, and across the areas, of hop grounds; thus saving the €xpence of guards. In other cases, the common GUARD is the roddle hedge, or wattle fence, formed with Stakes and naked rods, only: one of those fences, from three and a half to four feet high, being usually run on either side of of the line of young hedgewood. In a few instances, I observed posts and rails in use, as guards to young hedges, agreeably to the Yorkshire practice; but with a small de- viation in the execution; each post having, here, two mortices> under the idea that they De 36 FIELD FENCES. 4. assist in giving additional stiffness to the fence. To the rratnine of hedges, the occu- piers of this district are singularly attentive While young, they are carefully weedcu, and the soil on either side of them cleaned wit the hoe, and perhaps dug over with the spade or hop-spud. As they ¢ oTOW they are pruned on the sides—provincia « brushed;’’ even in the practice of common husbandmen.‘The fences of hop grounds, are frequently trained up, by this means, to twenty or twentyfive feet high: form- ing an almost impervious screen to the coe; yet occupying little more space of eround, than a wall would require. OLD HEDGES, also, are brought with- in due limits, and sometimes trained to a considerable height, by this admirable prac- up, i 1} ly tice. Even the common rough hedges of arable lands, are, under some men’s superior management, kept within bounds: so as not to incommode the operations of tillage, or overshadow the crops; and, at the same time, rendered close and fencible, by the like easy and-cheap operation; the expence of it being inconsiderable, when compar- x sei ai a TT TE Ta a A DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 37 | with the advantages of close, narrow hedges. A sithe, laid length-way in the handle, is‘in use, for this purpose. It is a cheap ready tool; and, for striking off young soft shoots, it is, perhaps, the most eligible in- strument., On the whole, the yeomen, of this part of Kent, may be fairly ranked, among the first nd best hedge masters in the kingdom. GATES.. The same low, five-bar gate, with a strong top rail, which is common to Surrey and Kent, is seen in its best form, in the district under view. HEDGEROW TREES. There is much fine OAK TIMER still left, in the old hedge- rows, or coppice borders. The trees are mostly well stemmed, clean, and of the middle height; though apparenily unprun- ed. But the length of stem may be ac- counted for, in the tallness of the thickets, | in which they have risen. Many roLiarps are still seen in the old hedges. But, as above intimated, war has been declared against them; and, already, the work of extirpation has made consider- able progress. 38 FIELD FENCES. 4. The inconveniency of pollards, in rough coppice hedges, having been long experi- enced, the planters of young hedges appear to have carefully(yet improvidently per- haps) avoided the PLANTING OF HEDGEROW TREES: except the poplar, of late years; partly, or wholly, by way of skreens to hop grounds. < F394 DIVISION THE SECOND. W 0.0 D.L.A.N_D, 5 AND PLANTING. L WOODLANDS. A GENERAL IDEA of the EXTENT of the woodlands of the district has been given, in speaking of its PRESENT PRODUC- TIONS. The AGE of these woodlands would be difficult to ascertain. They are probably of ancient standing: many or most of them, perhaps,.are aboriginal: nevertheless, some of those, which now appear fortuitous, may have been propagated.(See MIDLAND Counties.) This, however, being as it may, a certain portion of them are evident- ly of modern rise: it having, of late years, been the practice to propagate them. Hence RIE es aera Ne RR OT eg 40 WOODLANDS. fe the extent of woodlands, here, is increas- ing: owing chiefly or wholly, to an in- creased demand for hop poles. The prevailing SPECIES of woopLanp, here, is coppice: among which, however, a few TIMBER TREES are generally scattered. There are also a few small timber woods, or GROVES, in different parts of the district. COPPICE. The demand for hop poles, for ages past, has probably been the cause of the prevalency of this species of wood- land produce; and of the proportional scar- city of wood timber. But, as a great de- mand for a given article of produce will ever increase its production, so an inordi- nate increase of produce will lower the de- mand. An increase of hop grounds, and in consequence an advance in the price of poles, induced many to propagate coppice woods, of the species most suitable for hop poles. The market, therefore, is now sup~ plied, not only with a greater quantity, but with better poles, than formerly. And, add to this, the quantity of hop ground is now pretty generally allowed to be on the decline. The price of poles has certainly fallen, considerably, within the last ten ies i \ i) \ \ gee yar DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE.= 4 la years, and the value of the old coppices will, in all probability, continue to decrease. One estate has already begun to change its cop- pices into timber woods: others will pro- bably follow the example: and the country, a century hence, may be benefited by the change. The spEcIES OF COPPICE Woops, in the natural or old coppices, are chiefly oak, asb, bornbeam,* sailow,t maple. In the MANAGEMENT of coppice woods, as of hedges, the yeomen of Kent excel. The vacant spaces are assiduously filled up, at every fall. In one instance; I saw the interspaces dug over, as a hop ground, the better to secure the propagation of the in- terstitial plants. In another, the vacant ground was sod-burnt! The ashes, when I observed this extraordinary instance* of * The HORNBEAM(provincially‘‘ HORSE-BEECH,” in contradistinction to‘* buck beech’’—the true beech) is, In many woods, the most prevalent species; and being drawn up in thickets with a rapid growth, be- comes tall and straight enough for hop poles: and is even suffered to grow up, as a species of wood timber. + The saLLow(provincially‘‘ PLUMB-LEAVED WILLOW’) is in good estimation for hop poles. 42 WOODLANDS. rs practice,(in October, 1797,) were standing in heaps, on the pared surface; probably, to be dug under, during the leisure months of autumn, or early winter; as a prepara- tion for planting. T he soil is of a clayey nature. What an eligible preparation for the chesnut! the plant usually chosen, for filling up the vacancies of coppice woods, wherever there is a probability of its suc- ceeding. And it is doubtless found to re- pay any reasonable expence, Jaid out in its propagation.* The age of felling coppice woods is from twelve to eighteen years growth. The wares, into which they are usually converted, are rails, cordwood,+ hop poles, stakes, rods, fagots of different descrip- tions. The woodlands of this district are mostly IN HAND: proprietors either taking them * The cHEsNUT. The practice of filling up the vacancies of coppice woods, with this species of plant, has probably been in use, ever since the superior value of chesnut poles has been known; and this may account for its prevalency, in the natural woods of the country, with every appearance of its being a native plant. + The cord or stack of the Middle-Kent woods mea- sures 3, 3, and 14; comprising 126 cubical feet. SSS. Es DISTRICT: OF MAIDSTONE. 43 down, or selling them, standing, to coppice men, at a price agreed upon, by the acre. 2. PLANTING. The COPPICE PLANTATIONS, that have of late years been propagated, though numerous, are not many of them extensive. Those of Mrs. Bouverie, I believe, are the most considerable. Mr. Fow.e of Coptree is the largest planter, I observed among the yeomanry. The SITES which have been most com- monly chosen, for plantations of this de- scription, are the angles and indentures of irregular fields; and the steeps, formed by the turnwrest plow, between arable in- closures, lying on slopes; and, in other cases, coppice borders are raised, merely as skreens between hop grounds, or other inclosures. They are likewise seen, on weak sandy lands, of little value for farm produce; and on rough stoney ground, incapable of cul- A PLANTING. 2. tivation. In many instances, however, lands of a good quality, and lying well for tillage, have been planted; but whether with strict propriety, in regard to eventual profit, time only can determine. The SPECIES OF WOODS, in culti- vation, are CHESNUT, ASH, SALLow; but chiefly the two first, which run up rapidly and straight, and afford poles of tie first estimation: the cHESNUT most especially; which is found to be of extraordinary du- ration, in this capacity; and grows with great luxuriance and profit, on most of the soils of this district; provided they are not of too cold a nature. I have seen this plant luxuriate on mounds of stones, without any visible admixture of soil:* also, on sheer sand, of many feet in depth, I have observed it grow with tenfold profit, compared with that which could arise from any species of farm produce. Remark. In many parts of this Island, the cuEsNuT might be propagated with sin- gular profit, as a coppice wood. Its esti- mation for hop poles proves its singular * Particularly in Barming wood, where an extent of stoney surface, of a very peculiar nature, occurs. DISTRICY OF MAIDSTONE. 45 durability, when cut’ even in the early stages of its growth. For rails, common farm gates, stakes, and other agricultural purposes, it is preferable to most other woods. In dry, warm situations, where the top soil is not friendly to farm produce, the chesnut will generally pay abundantly for propagation. The METHODS OF PLANTING vary. The. soil is PREPARED, either by digging, or with the plow. In the only instance, in which the operation of planting fell un- der my inspection, the land had been fal- lowed for wheat, and the plants were put in, after the crop was well above-ground, and had established itself in the soil; the TIME OF PLANTING being the wane of Oc- tober. The siTE, in this case, was six or seven acres of culturable land; the soit a cool retentive loam; the pLants wholly asb. The prstaNce of the plants, in the se- veral plantations I have examined, varies from five feet, a quincunx, to seven feet and a half, square. In the instance above men- tioned, the land was laid up, in seven feet ‘ fee‘ jag F 9 agian lig ———— se See eae RT 9= q“ Sys hs Fe SEBE ncaa ae Z 46 PLANTING 2, ridges, for the wheat, anda row of plants were set on each ridge, and at the same distance of seven feet, between plant and plant, in the rows. The plants, in this instance, were four or five feet high, and well rooted; having been raised for. the purpose, in a nursery, near the site of planting. The tops were pruned to rods, and the roots shortened; that the wheat might be the less disturbed, in planting them, and less incommoded, in its growth. In TRAINING these coppice planta- tions, the interspaces are cultivated, with the greatest care. Small plots are dug over, in the nursery manner. The larger grounds, whose intervals are wide, and cross each other at right angle, the plow and horse hoe are used. To prevent the growth of weeds, and to increase the mellowness of the soil, the cleaned intervals are frequently covered, thickly, with hop vines; which, when sufficiently decayed, are dug into the soil, as manure. In one instance, the in- terspaces were actually manured, as for hops! and, in another, I observed chalk sad Di DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 44 used, in the same intention. In one, I saw potatoes. growing among chesnut plants: in another, buckweet. In the MANAGEMENT OF GROWN COPPICKS, provincially suaws, the prac- tice of the district of Maidstone is equally judicious.. At each fall, the rows, if de- fective, are carefully repaired with fresh plants; and the intervals of young shaws are frequently cultured;* and, in one in- stance at least, manured! Under treatment like this, it is no wonder that the shoots from the’stools should be luxuriant. I have measured them, in two instances, and these on very different soils, seven feet high, the first year! And have been assured, that the * Reflecting on the propriety of breaking the soil of the intervals, after each fall, I was foréibly struck with the idea, that, by cutting off the old roots, with a sharp coulter, as near the stools as the operation would admit of, some valuable advantages might be gained. Fresh feeding fibres would of course.be formed near the plants; and the decay of the amputated roots, beside giving the desired temperament to a stubborn soil, would, year after year, afford nutriment to the rising plants: thus promoting, in a twofold manner, their progressive growth. —— — i ROR PE reg tire phan oo eee =e 48 PLANTING:* 2. ash has been known to shoot ten feet, the first season after cutting.‘These luxuriant shoots, however, are singularly liable to be frost-nipped; especially in the interior parts of the coppice, where damps hang the longest.* - In two or more instances, I observed the shoots from the stools THINNED; in order to throw strength into those left for poles; which I have seen PRUNED; the lateral twigs of the stems taken off; to eneourage their upward growth, and prevent the lower parts from swelling beyond the required size. The aGe of FELLING is about ten years. I examined an ashen coppice, which, I was told, was only of six years’ growth; yet there were many stems in it large enough * This injury, which is of a serious nature, espe- cially with respect to the ash intended for hop poles, as tending to make the shoots thus nipped, break out with many branches, and thereby destroy the simplicity of their growth, might, in much probability, be lessened, or prevented, by the operation just proposed; which would tend to check this inordinate growth of the first year; and, by sending up firm leaders, year after year, promote the required simplicity of growth. 2. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 49 for hop poles! namely fifteen to twenty feet high; and two to two and a half inches diameter, at five feet from the ground. The propuce of these coppice grounds is very great. Forty pounds, an acre, for ten years growth, I was well assured, has been made. And the following calculation shows that much more is possible. In an ashen coppice, with stools, six feet a quincunx, or eleven hundred to the acre, I counted from four to eight well sized poles, upon each stool. Admitting that there were five thou- sand saleable poles, an acre, and that they were worth, one with another, fourteen pounds a thousand,—the gross produce was seventy pounds, an acre.* GENERAL REMARK. I have peculiar sa- tisfaction in being able to produce evidence, such as is here brought forward, in favor of PROPAGATING COPPICE GROUNDS,(see Nor- FOLK, GLOCESTERSHIRE,&c.) and of treat- ing YOUNG PLANTATIONS, aS. NURSERY GROUNDS,(see PLANTING aiid RURAL ORNA- * The price of prime poles, at the time the above calculation was made(1790,) was thirtyfive to forty shillings, a hundred: now(1797) about thirty shil- lings. VOL. I. E SSO ing 50 PLANTING. 2. MENT) points of practice that I had long recommended, before I had an opportunity of examining the practice of Kent. I can now recommend to those, who require more than written evidence, to visit the DISTRICT or Marpstone, and gain ocular proof of the advantages to be derived from these practices. DIVISION THE THIRD. AdG TR bGoll abi Uy Rk. 4 = FA RM 5S, IF ARGUMENTS wererequired to show the impolicy of very large or very small farms, this district might furnish them. Its husbandry has long been celebrated; and, taken all in all, is not, perhaps, even yet excelled: notwithstanding the rapid strides of improvement, which have lately taken place, in other parts of the kingdom. The prevailing SIZES OF FARMS, here, are those of one hundred to three hundred pounds, a year. Farms of forty pounds to four hundred pounds, a year, may be said to comprize the whole dis- trict. Those below one hundred, a year, are chiefly confined to the townships, wherein hop grounds and orchards occupy EK 2 ik Fa eS MEM Sepals ee _B2 FARMS,{. a considerable part of the farm lands: and where a farm of fifty pounds, a year, re- quires as much care and attention, as one of twice the size, under ordinary culture. The district of Maidstone has to boast of the most gardenly farm in the Island: the most such, at least, of the many I have had opportunities of examining. Mrs. Bouvertz’s farm is not only laid out with judgment, and kept with singular neatness, but is cultivated in a superiors manner. The size of this charming farm is that which is most desirable, when amusement and the commendable design of introducing improvements, and setting examples, are the principal objects in view: namely, two to three hundred acres. 7 The fields are large and square: the crook- ednesses and irregularities of the boundary fence having been filled up, and done away, by BORDER PLANTATIONS; such as I have long ago conceived to be most eligible; and the area divided with straight hawthorn hedges,—pruned on the sides$ perfectly ac- cording with my idea of compleat farm fences. Round most of the arable fields, PTR ae a qi, DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 53 grass borders are left, in the Hertfordshire manner. The lands, in general, at the time I was favored with an opportunity of viewing them,(in 1790,) were clean and in high condition: the plan of management being, in the outline, that of the well managed district it lies in; deviations being occa- sionally introduced, with the laudable in- tent of improving the established practice of the country: the broad and firm basis on which all farms in band should be con- ducted. FARM OCCUPIERS. IN THE district of Maidstone, we find occupiers of every order: men of for- tune, yeomen, husbandmen, and tradesmen. Even among the TENANTRY aré found men of wealth and respectability: qualities for which the Yeomanry or Kent have long been proverbial. 54 FARM OCCUPIERS. 2. Out of the LAW OF GAVELKIND, this va- luable order of men have principally risen. And seeing the present flourishing state of their country, after seven hundred years of experience, the wisdom of that law appears in a strong light. For although it has fur- nished the country with its present high state of society, with respect to the middie classes, it has not done away the gradations of rank, which(as has been already said) appear to be necessary, 11 every organized society.. The rightful tendency of the principle of this law was exemplified, some years ago, in the district under view. A person, who died, possessed of considerable property, left five sons, and a will; in which partia- lity to individuals was of course expected. Nevertheless, the brothers, harmonized by ihe influence of equal law, agreed, before the will was broke open, to inherit, according to the natural law of their country; and the will was burnt with its seal unbroken. The operation of this equitable law in the instance under notice, has been highly favorable to society; which has thereby gained five wealthy, respectable, productive 0, DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 55 members: yeomen of the higher class. Whereas, had the whole property devolved on one of them; even this one, probably, vould have been rendered unprofitabie to society: while the rest must have been thrown upon the world;—to scramble for property, in trade, or the professions. ERT WORKPEOPLE. THE TIME OF CHANGING Farm SERVANTS, throughout the Southern Coun- ties, I believe, is MicHAELMAS.‘The in- conveniency of this established custom will appear in the following MINUTEs. In another particular, the usages of the southern and the northern provinces differ. In this part of the Island, there are no pus- LIC HIRINGs. Ifa servant wanta place, he makes his case known, among his acquaint- ance, and offers himself, where he finds there is a vacancy. The yearly waces of a“ PLOWMAN, or ¥ — 56 WORKPEOPLE. 3 head man, was, in 17g0, ten to twelve pounds;—of a“caRTER,” or second man, six or seven pounds;—of a WOMAN SER- VANT, three to five pounds. For the waGes of LABOURERS, see the LIST OF RATES. It is observable of the farm workmen, of the district of Maidstone, as of the southern counties in general, that a want of alertness in the ordinary work of husbandry, is a characteristic which distinguishes them, from those of most other districts. This distinc- tion, however, is not to be ascribed to any natural sluggishness of disposition, in them- selves; but is probably caught from the sluggish animals they have been enured to work with. 4, BEASTS OF LABOUR. HORSES, of the black snail breed, are the only animals of draft; whether in til- lage, in harvest, or on the road. No won- oc“ th Av DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 57 der, then, a sluggard pace should sometimes show itself, in other departments of rural business. For a man whose step has been regulated, in his early years, by this de- liberate race of animals, habitually retains it; though he may quit the plow for other employments. See NorFro.k, MIN: 100, for remarks on this important subject. The plow TEAM, as well as the Roap TEAM of Kent, is four horses; and to each team two men are not unfrequently allow- ed; under the denominations of‘“ Plow- man” and“Carter: the former to hold the plow, occasionally; but oftener, per- haps, to walk by the side of it: the latter to drive it, in the field, and pamper it, in the stable; while his superior is reposing in the hayloft, and growing as fat and lazy as his horses. This extravagant practice is not peculiar to the district under view; but extends, more or less, through the southern counties: in every part of which, I believe, a man and a boy, at least, are allowed to each team of four horses. See Norroitk, MipLAND CounTIES,&c. > A A a IT SS 58{MPLEMENTS. 5: ~ IMPLEMENTS. THE WAGGON of Kent is of the middle size; or somewhat above it. In its con- struction, nothing is particularly notice- able. The width of its track, in this part of the county, measures about four feet ten inches, from middle to middle of the ruts. In harvest, it is furnished with a lad- der, at each end: the front one is set nearly upright, and is tall as a moderate load of corn.‘This serves as a guide to a young loader, is a stay to the load, and by render- ing the operation of loading less difficult, serves to expedite the business of carrying. The hind ladder is shorter, and lies nearly flat; being merely intended to lengthen the bed of the waggon. For carrying poles and fagot wood, as well as for the purposes of harvest, a sort of long rough waggon, provincially a“ Tuc” is formed upon a timber carriage. ee Se Se ee Ee Se CR DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 59 The DUNG CART is of the ordinary construction, and of a full size; gauging near forty bushels. The PLOW of Kent is the most extra- ordinary. Like that of Norfolk, it is com- mon and peculiar to the county; except that the Kentish plow is in use, on the hills of Surrey, and in some parts of West Sussex.! To describe this extraordinary produc- tion, verbally, were impossible. Its com- ponent parts, and the names assigned them, are nearly equal in number to those of the ship. North-of-England farmer, who has never been south of the Thames, would little suspect the purpose, for which it> ts constructed: he would conceive it to bea carriage, rather than a plow. It has a pair of wheels, fully as large as the fore wheels of a moorland waggon; and behind them is dragged a long thick log of wood, which slides upon the ground, as the hob or shoe of a sledge; with a beam, rising high above it, which a small farmer of the North would be glad of asa gate post; comprizing, In its various parts, as much timber and ether materials as would build a highland cart. Se coe“ PREY 29D eSBs eee =. oh ee — os eps wo 6o This magnificent implement is called the “ KENTISH TURN-WREST PLOW:” the large truncheon or wrest—provincially“ rice,’”— which forces open the furrow, being turn- ed, or changed from side to side, at eacl turning of the team; which, in plowing with this implement, begins on one side or’ end of the field, or piece to be plowed, and proceeds, without a break or open furrow, to the other. For plowing steep surfaces, whose sub- soils are absorbent, a plow on this principle is obviously and admirably adapted: and, on lands of this description, the implement under notice doubtless received its origin; —either on the chalk hills of Kent or Sur- rey, or, elsewhere, on lands of a similar de- scription. The value of a turn-wrest plow, on such lands, is so obvious, at sight, that I claim no merit in having repeatedly recommend- ed it, for steep surfaces and absorbent sub- soils. See West or ENGLAND; CENTRAL HicHLanps,&c. Even on level ground, whose subsoil is of an absorbent nature, the Kentish plow has its merit. In breaking up whole ground, IMPLEMENTS. 5. rare eR ‘ DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 6r to be cropped on one plowing, as old sward, temporary ley, or stubble, and especially where the soil is of a strong tenacious tex- ture, it is a valuable instrument. The « share,” being merely a socket, with a flat- ted point, or chisel, without any fin or wing, to separate the soil from its base, it is of course torn from it, by strength of team; and, in this violent operation, the texture of the soil is broken, so as to admit the ten- der fibrils of the succeeding crop. Add to this, the plit, or plow-slice, adhering strong- ly on the furrow side, is turned with difh- culty, but with compleat effect; while the upper edge, being pressed hard with the point of the wrest, set judiciously for this purpose, not only joins it close to the pre- ceding plit, but, at the same time, forces up a small ridge or“ comb” of loose earth, so as to form a channel or seed seam, with the preceding comb; close at the bottom, and with fine friable mold, on either side of it, to cover the seed. For another purpose, the turn-wrest plow of Kent is fitted with admirable effect: namely, that of a shim or suspLow, of extra- ordinary powers. When it is used in this in- B 62 IMPLEMENTS. 5. ae : tention, a strong blade of iron, three or four_ 4 inches broad, steeled at the edge, eighteen or i | twenty inches long, and somewhat crescent- ij shaped, is riveted firmly to the flatted‘ point of the ordinary share or socket, which guards the head, chip, or keel; to which: : this crescent, or‘‘ BROAD SHARE, stands i aa at rightangle. This acting part being set eM ; with its edge very much dipping, namely, e thirty or forty degrees below the line of a: the horizon, or base line of the plow, and ti being prevented, by the wheels and the th hind part of the keel, from being drawn we down below the stated depth, the shell of ol soil, under which it works, is shattered into$0 fragments, shivered to atoms: the effect T being infinitely greater, than it would be, al if the share were set horizontally. Fora p soil sufficiently mellow, and not too much b encumbered with stones, this is the most ef- ee: fectual subplow, I have examined, or which,} probably, is in use. Dp But when we see this enormous imple- Pi. ment, with four extravagant horses, and two sh lazy fellows, attempting to turn over a light-| of : land fallow, and destroy the weeds it con-" a tains, without either share or mold board! a ane Bi DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 63 it would be a crime to suffer them to pass without censure. To use it, in any Case, (unless as a subplow, or to force u pa tallow into ridgets) on any land, lying on a reten- tive base, is a still greater impropriety. Another implement, which is peculiar J believe to Kent, is the“ strickInc PLOW,” with which channels, grooves, or seed seams are struck, drawn, or opened, in broken or fallow ground. The principle of construc- tion is still that of the turn-wrest plow; the operating parts being long pieces of wood, resembling the chip or keel of the plow: these are generally two in number; sometimes three: in some cases only one. The beam or beams, with which these keels are connected, rest on a gailows, or cross piece, similar to that of the common plow, but lighter. The method of using this in- strument will appear in its place. Another implement, which jis likewise peculiar, I believe, to this country, is the ‘*NIDGET, or horse hoe of many triangular shares, fixed, horizontally, at the lower ends of tines, or coulters. These are fastened in a somewhat triangular frame of wood work; and in cross bars, morticed into the outer 64 IMPLEMENTS. 5. pieces of the frame. At the angle, or nar- rowing part of the implement, by which it is drawn, is a wheel, to give the hoes their proper depth. It is observable, that the construction of the Kentish Nidget and the Tormentor of West Devonshire(see West or ENGLAND) are in effect the same: the latter, probably, having been copied from the former; and increased in size, so as to suit it to the in- tended purpose. In the hop grounds, too, a HARROW of a similar construction is in use; and might be useful in other intentions. It is furnished with handles. The three-tined pRoNnG, or“ spuD,” in use for digging hop grounds, instead of the spade, is admirably adapted to the purpose; especially where stones are numerous. It might, on many occasions, be introduced into the more ordinary operations of hus- bandry. There are also other Toots, of peculiar construction, which are used in the Hop GROUNDS, as well as in the worksof HARVEST, and which will be noticed under these heads. Seel of Kell that q been\ PUBL! BAN! in t Islar In ACCU tions had own tive the vine fo sar) ] the circ atl tod inh 5. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 6s GENERAL REMARKS. Seeing, in this review of the implements of Kent, the number which are peculiar to that quarter of the Island, and which have been used in it, for ages past, the utility of a PUBLIC REPOSITORY Of IMPLEMENTS of HUS- BANDRY, that have stood the test of ages, in the several established practices of the Island at large, appears in a strong light. Inthe Minutes or AGRicuLTURE,| gave accurate delineations, and minute descrip- tions, of the different implements, which[I had constructed, and found useful, in my own practice in Surrey. But from the abor- tive attempts that have been made, to realize the representations, I have long been con- vinced of the waste of time, which drawings of complex implements of husbandry neces- sarily incur. In the Rurat Economy of Norfolk, in the section IMPLEMENTS, I noticed the same circumstance; and recommended a transfer of the implements themselves, from district to district, accompanied with persons versed in their respective uses, to set them to work, VOL wt. ke 66 IMPLEMENTS. s. and to teach the proper management of them, to the workmen of the district, into which they should be introduced. This method is effectual, as to particular implements, which have been brought to public light. But before the merits of an implement can be perceived, the implement itself must be known: and, scattered over the Island, as valuable implements are, at present, it is scarcely possible for any man, unless by a deliberate survey of every part (a task which may never be performed a second time) to have a knowledge of the whole. Beside, in matters of choice, the judgment, even of the strongest mind, is strengthened, by comparing the objects of choice, brought together under the eye. Therefore, in the RuraL Economy of the MIDLAND CounTIEs, in drawing the out- line of a PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENT, for improving the several branches of the rural science, I proposed a PUBLIC REPOSI- TORY OF IMPLEMENTS; with the view of bringing the WHOLE, of those of ESTABLISH- ED EXCELLENCE, together; and of classing them, in such manner, that the different VARIETIES of the same implement may be mar} 5. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 67 seen in one point of view: with grounds, of different qualities, at hand, to try their respective merits; and thus to enable every man, to select those which he may judge to be best suited, to his own soil and situation. In a country, like England, in which many of the practices, of the different de- partments, have doubtless had separate ori- gins, nothing less thana COMMON CEN- TER can equalize the practice of the se- veral parts, and diffuse the rays of improve- ment, over the whole. PLAN OF MANAGEMENT OF FARMS. THE OBJECTS, which engage the pri- mary attention of the occupiers of this dis- ' trict, are F 2 wt a 2 Se Be 5 eee enial ae, ~_>. “4 SOILS AND MANAGEMENT. v. dred: and fifty pounds. The soil a rich, deep, free middle loam. A North-of-Eng- land farmer would have plowed this field with two horses; not worth, perhaps, ten pounds. The south-countryman is plow- ing it at the rate of twelve tofifteen shil- lings,an acre: the north-countryman would plow it for three or four. The depth plowed is barely seven inches. The width of the plit eleven inches. The width of the furrow, or trench left by the plow, near two feet! Query, doesany be- nefit arise from shifting the soil upon a fresh base? or where lies the use of this extra- ordinary exertion ¢ The soil, it is true, is well turned, with a sufficiency of loose mold raised up, to cover the seed: on the whole it is better plowed, than it could be with a wide share, and a smooth plate or moldboard. But the superiority of the work is by no means worth eight or ten shillings an acre. The intervals of the seed seams are. much too wide: eight or nine inches are a much bet- ter width; and plits of this width are easily turned by two horses, with a suitable plow, and a man who knows how to hold it.” n DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. a « Friday 3, September, 1790. In the pa- rish of East Farley. Observed several in- stances of stirring broad-shared pea grat- tans, and other broken grounds, with cart plows! and with four heavy horses and two men to each; moving at the rate of a mile and a half an hour: the keel of the plow working about six inches deep in the loose mold; the wrest striking off the top of it, some two or three inches deep! The width of the plow slice, if such it can be called, eleven inches; the trench, or track, left by the plow, twentytwo inches. The soil a charming middle loam, with but a few stones in it. A Norfolk farmer, with the same men and horses, would have done thrice as much, and ten times better. With his wide share, not a weed could have escaped uncut: whereas, in the operation under notice, not a strong-rooted weed can be injured. In one field, there were four of these un- warrantable teams at work. What a loss to the occupier! not less than twenty or thirty shillings, a day: even supposing the work to be properly performed. Taking into the account, the insufficiency of the Coed~ t= DSSS tie MEPs i i vai eRe———* ea et Re a aes ee ae— "6 SOILS AND MANAGEMENT.". 4 operation, the loss becomes difficult to cal- culate. ¢| On another farm, I observed five horses employed in a similar operation, and ona fallow which was still lighter and freer to work,—which any ove of the five; witha light plow, would have performed quicker, and with much better effect. Yet this farm belongs to one of the most enlightened men in the district.” 3 These facts are not published to gratily the lust of censure; but to show, in its true colors, what appears to mean error in prac- tice; and to evince the existence of inaccu- racies, even in the most enlightened prac- tices of the present day.* Remarks. Need there be stronger evi- * T could probably find twenty notices of this impro- priety, in my Journals; not of 1790 only, but of 1797; when, having a more extensive knowledge of the prac- tices of the North of England, and Scotland,(where more than two horses in a plow are rarely seen) than| had in the year ninety, when I first viewed the district, the sight of four powerful horses and two able bodied. men, marching over loose fallow ground, witha solemn pace, and an air of importance, as if they were really performing something which could not be effected in any better manmery becamie perfectly ridiculous. a DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE.— 77 t| dence produced, to show the necessity of PUBLIC SEMINARIES; where not only the several implements of superior merit may be found, but where the uses of them maybe taught. Where not only occupiers, but their workmen, might wipe away the rust of prejudice, and see the good effects of“knowing more ways than one.” It is equally preposterous, in the occupiers of the county now more immediately under view, to use the turnwrest plow, on all soils, in every state and situation, as it is for those of the rest of the Island, to plow the sides of steep hills of an absorbent nature, with a one-sided plow, or to let them lie ina state of comparative unproductiveness, for want of plowing: that is to say, for want of knowing the existence, and the use, of the TURNWREST#PLOW. The silly argument held out, by those who know the subject in theory only, or by those who know only one method of practice, and are too indolent to learn a second, that a uniformity of plow is neces- sary, hasno other foundation than the error or indolence of those who make use of it. If it were asserted that farm workmen are } ’ | i Ag N | » it SUE ts wl —— 78 S50ILS AND MANAGEMENT. 4. such stupid aukward beings, that it is in vain to think of teaching the same man to plow, to mow, to reap, and to, thrash, the assertion would be contradicted by an:hun- dred tongues at once. If, then, they have versatility enough, to make themselves pro- ficient in the uses of different species of im- -plements and tools, surely they are capable of being taught the use of their varieties. , The practice of“ BROADSHARING,” or SUBPLOWING, is another established practice of Kent, another ordinary operation of til- lage, which ought to be known and prac- ticed, in every part of the Island. This operation(of which some idea has been given in describing the IMPLEMENT with which it is performed) is not applied, merely, to the stubbles or“ grattans” of pulse, to be prepared for wheat; but like- wise to those of wheat, as a preparation for pulse or other crop.‘ Remarks. The advantages of this ope- ration have long been familiar tome. In Surrey, I pursued it to its full extent, as my own discovery! not knowing that it was the ordinary practice of the adjoining coun- ty; for, then, no GENERAL REGISTER of the: 7. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE: 79 j é superior practices of well cultivated districts had been formed. But a few years practice convinced me (as will appear in the following Minures) that, how valuable soever the operation indisputably is, for freeing the soil from surface weeds, especially those of a trailing or creeping growth,—as well as of bring- ing the seeds of weeds, which lie upon or near the surface, into a state of vegetation, and thereby preventing their being buried in the soil,—it does not preclude the neces- sity of turning the soil, and EXPOSING EVERY PART TO THE ATMOSPHERE. In GLOCESTERSHIRE, a similar intention is answered, by the BREAsT PLow. But this is a feeble ineffective instrument, compared with‘the powerful broadshare of Kent. It requires, it is true, a great strength of team to work it; but its length might be short- ened, so as to be worked with a pair of horses or oxen. Its exclusive merit, com- pared with every other contrivance of the kind I have seen, lies in its breaking‘the crust of the soil most effectually; vet having no coulter, or upright, rising immediately eut of the blade or acting part, for the 80 SOILS AND MANAGEMENT.~—7- loosened weeds to hang to. It may, there- fore, be worked, in.fouler ground, and in moister weather, than the sHims of the Ist—E or THANET; which will be noticed in their proper place.; The practice of RIB-PLOWING, raftering, or rice-balking, though not peculiar to Kent, is here in good esteem. In the HARROW, or its use, I have seen no- thing noticeable, in the district under view. The ROLLER is in much use; especially for rolling corn crops, presently after they vegetate; to destroy or check the ravages of the sod or wire worm. On fallow ground, ‘too, the use of the roller is well understood; and enters more into common practice, in this, than in any other part of the Island. The prevailing FALLOW of this district is that of aurumn; by which the“ grat- tans” or stubbles of fallow crops, as beans, peas, tares, are prepared for wheat. The process varies, of course; but the follow- ing, I believe, may be considered as that which is most practiced. As soon as the crop is off, the ground is broadshared, or underplowed, as shallow as the operation will permit, so as to separate the surface 7 DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 81 7 weeds from their roots. The surface being afterwards harrowed, the weeds collected and burnt, or carried off, and the seeds of weeds, lodged near the surface, being placed in the most apt situation for vegetating, they are left in that state, some days, to germinate.‘The soil is then turned, or more properly, if not more frequently, raf- tered, or forced up into ribs or narrow ridges, to increase the quantity of surface, and thereby ventilate the soil, and give another crop of seed weeds an opportunity to vegetate. These important ends being obtained, the ridges are torn down with rough harrows, the surface rolled and more finely harrowed, to force another crop of seed weeds; as well as to assist in destroy- ing, or exposing on the surface, the root weeds lodged near it. To these operations succeed one or more ordinary plowings, ac- cording to the cleanness of the soil, and the advanced state of the season. The high state of cultivation and clean- ness, in which some of the lands of this dis- trict are seen, with no other tillage and ven- tilation, than are, given, by the horse-hoe, working in wide intervals, in the suminer VO. G 82 SOILS AND MANAGEMENT. 4. months, and the autumnal fallow, above described, furnishes sufficient proof, that when such lands are once thoroughly re- claimed, they may be kept, for a length of time, in 2 proper state on cultivation, by FALLOW CROPS and TEMPORARY FALLOWS. Hence, in this district, which has long been reclaimed,‘andwhere fallow crops ae temporary fallows are managed in%a suit- able manner, the sUMMER FALLOW is: less frequently seen, than in any other; part of the Island, of equal extent, and teks arable crops are the principal object of culture. Nevertheless, the whole year’s fallow is sometimes practiced, here; and a very cur-: sory view of the district is sufficient, to,show, that it might, in numierous instances, be practiced with great’advantage. For, al- though some of its lands bear that healthy and generous countenance, which, at sight, shows their fertile condition, there are many of a different description: foul, and unfri- able, for want of tillage;—pale, sickly, and spiritless, for want of ventilation. Remarks. Seeing this disparity of con- dition, where a parity of management pre- vailed, I was led to reflections on the cir- t | i | mi DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 83 cumstance, and to an investigation of the cause of foulness and sickliness of habit, in different soils, lying on different bases. It is well known, to every practical man who has strong and light lands on his farm, that the latter is most liable to become foul; especially with couch, and other worm root~ ed plants, which maké théir w ay, much easier and faster, in porous, than in.close compact soils. It is equally well understood, that light soils, lying on absorbent bases, are much easier to cleanse, from a given degree of foulness, than strong soils, incumbent on re- tentive subsoils: not so much, in their be- ing thére readily broken’ down, as’ in their bene drier, capable of being workéd more dag in the year, than strong retentive lands: for porous soils, resting on retentive bases, are the most difficult to be kept clean. Hence, it would follow as an inference, were it not known as a fact, that compact closely textured soils, lying on absorbent bases, are the most easily kept free from weeds; which propagate in them slowly, and may be checked or destroyed, in almost any season. Gg — a re=—— 34 SOILS AND MANAGEMENT. ve And hence, the strong lands of this dis- trict, on rock, are kept sufficiently clean, without'a whole year’s fallow: while the lighter lands, and those on retentive bases; are foul; requiring, even under the accu- rate management of this country, to be, from time to time, cleansed from their foul- ness, by tillage and exposure, continued through the favorable season of summer. But the practice of fallow crops being esta- blished, and carried on with success, on the coomb and loamy lands, on rock and has- sock, it is too frequently followed, on lands that are unfit for it; without due discrimi- nation. With respect to VENTILATION, too, much depends on the nature of the subsoil. Soils, incumbent on rock, or other open base, may be said to be in a state of perpetual venti- lation; the air, unless in very wet seasons, being continually circulating through them; and the water, which falls on their surfaces, likewise assists in the purification; by filter- ing through them, without a check: while soils of the selfsame nature, by having a re- tentive base beneath them, and lying almost continually on a bed of mud, or stagnant 7: DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 85 water, enjoy not those advantages; and, unless they are sufficiently agitated, and exposed to the air, from time to time, they of course become weak, and spiritless.* These things are so demonstrable, and so consonant with practice, that I am more and more convinced of the propriety of occasionally fallowing, through the summer months, soils, of every description, which lie on retentive bases. 8. MANU RES, AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. THE SPECIES of manures in use, here, are Dung, Some chalk, Compost, Woolen rags, Lime, Some rape cake. * This SICKLINESS OF HABIT is not only obvious to the eye; but, in extreme cases, becomes offensive to the smell. A remarkable instance is mentioned, in MinuTeE 106, inthe MIDLAND CounrTIES.' 86 MANURES. 8. But of the last, or of soot, or of ashes, little is used: indeed, the ashes which rise from the burning of hop vines(as will be shown) are permitted to be blown away, wastefully, as if they were deemed useless, for manure. But the lands of the district are mostly of a calcareous nature; and, on such lands, alkaline substances may, perhaps, be the least wanted. And, perbaps, this may account for the practice of carrying off the earthy copings of limestone quarries, for ' manure; while the efforescent matter of the rock, mixed with calcareous rubble(a marl of a superior quality) are suffered to remain as rubbish, in the bottom of the quarry. Wevertheless, lime is much in use. How are these jarrings to be reconciled? DUNG. This is chiefly, or wholly, I believe, raised in the district. The navi- gation, from London, is, at present, too circuitous, and uncertain, to admit of bring- ing much, if any, from thence. The guatitieEs of the feces of different animals, and feeding on different foods, are attended to, here. Cattle ate fed on oil cakes, without any other view to profit, than that of attording dung of a superior quality. | ry H 8. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 87 But the most extraordinary opimon, re- specting the qualities of the feces of ani- mals, is that of the dung of swine being esteemed of an inferior value!«It fills the land full. of weeds;’’ even when it is made from the wash of a distillery! But prejudice is the child of chance and igno- rance; and is nurtured by indolence, and false pride. The appLicATIon of dung is, chiefly, to wheat, turneps, and hops. COMPOST. Much of the dung, used in the district, is formed into compost, with mud, or mold of any kind that can be col- lected, as the soil of lanes and waste places, the copings of quarries,&c. I have observ- ed the soil of a headland carried off, for this purpose. This practice, however, is most observable, in the hop culture; in which raw dung is seldom used. It may be of use to observe, that, in turning over mounds of compost, the Kent- ish method is improper. The mound is cut down, perpendicularly, with a sharp instrument; part.after part, and moved by fork-fulls; instead of being torn down, with pecks or mattocks, and the reduced frag- *% 88 MANURES. 8. ments“cast, with shovels, over a sloping surface. The first is merely turning it, or rather moving it: whereas the latter is miz- ing the materials, be they what they may, in a manner as effectual, perhaps, as the operation requires; and at nearly the same cost, that is bestowed, on the far less effec- tual method. LIME is in considerable estimation; and in much use. That, used as manure, is wholly burnt from cHaLK,* and mostly with woop! notwithstanding coals are brought by water, within a small distance fromthe kiln. But here, again, the demon, prejudice, would seem to be at work. The prevailing idea is, that lime burnt with wood is‘* better for land,’ than that which is produced from the same material, by the heat of coals.‘Can there be any truth in this received opinion? The waste of land(employed in the growth of wood) which this opinion incurs, * Cuarxk of Boxtey Hitt. Color dusky white; contexture somewhat soft: a free writing chalk. By the marine acid, one hundred grains yield ninetysix grains of calcareous earth; and four grains of fine snuff- colored silt. ie a RN ai 8. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE._ 89 is very considerable; and it would be well] if some unprejudiced man would ascertain the fact. The kilns are placed along the sides of the chalk hills; generally below the mid- way of the steep; and the fagots, which are chiefly produced upon the hills, being drawn to the brink of the clif, are rolled down, in large bundles, of perhaps a wag- gon load each,(bound with strong ropes) to the kiln: an ingenious and cheap mode of conveyance. The METHOD OF BURNING chalk, with fagot wood, which is similar throughout the southern counties, will be described in the District or PETWoRTH;—together with an improvement, which I recently ob- served, in this district. The apprication of lime is, generally, to broken or fallowed ground, for wheat; and on soils of different qualities, from loam on rock, to pale weak clay, on a retentive base: the QuANTITY set on being about two chaldrons, an acre. The METHOD OF APPLYING it varies. It is sometimes set on, in load heaps; and, when fallen, is spread without admixture. go-MANURES. 8. But, more generally, and which may be considered as the practice of the district, is that of setting it on, 7m small heaps, and covering them up with soil: a practice which merits an attentive examination. In, my Journal, under the date 11 Octo- ber, 1790, is the following notice.‘ Ob- served several instances(in the townships of Barming and the two Farleys) of lime in small heaps: all of them covered; wholly or partially, with soil. The late rains have caused the lime, in most of them, to burst its bounds. On examining several of the hil- Jocks, I found, invariably, that the parts which are exposed, are broken down into chequers or coarse granules, only; while those which are covered, are resolved intoa uniform, fine powder: of course, that which is covered the most effectually, is in the best state.” Remark. This is a ready way of dis- tributing lime; and, if too long a succes- sion of wet weather do. not set in, so.as to reduce the whole to a state of paste, it is, or might be rendered, a most effectual one. Thus, when the hillocks begin. to burst open their coverings, turn them over; and, g: DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 9; in this operation, mix the lime, which is wholly slaked, intimately with the soil, and endeavour to bring the unreduced knobs toward the surface; then re-cover the heaps, with fresh soil. Finally, in due season, and when the whole is perfectly fallen, spread the compost,compleatly assimilated, evenly over the land. This method would be equally efficacious, and much less tedious and expensive, than that of the West oF KNGLAND. 9: SEMINATION. CORN, of-every species, is sown, in the ordinary practice of the country, by hand, BROADCAST: either over the rough surface, as left by the seed plowing, or over channels, or seed seams, formed by the“ stricking plow,”* mentioned in the section MPLE- MENTS. The Kentish seedsmen, in sowing their uniformly surfaced, furrowless lands, set up \ 92 SEMINATION. 9. stakes, so as to form a sort of lane, as a guide to sow by; casting both ways(sow- ing the ground twice over) at every second step, and throwing the seed higher than is done, in most other districts.* The seed is invariably coverep with the harrow; without any regard to the species of corn, or the nature of the soil. The practice of covering seed corn with the plow, may be said to be unknown; and is never performed, in this part of Kent: an in- teresting fact, in the history of English agriculture. PULSE, on the contrary, is commonly cultivated, in Rows:(tares only excepted) and these rising at a sufficient distance, from each other, to admit the horse-hoe between them: a practice which ought never to be deviated from, in cultivating this class of grain crops; for reasons given in the Ru- RAL Economy of GLOcESTERSHIRE; Sec- tion Pulse. * For the Norroxk method of setting out seed casts, with the plow or other instruments, see RuRA! Economy of Norro rk, Section Wheat. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 93 ret 6 e 10. GROWING CROPS. THE WIRE-WORM, or sopworm, having long been a destructive enemy to corn crops, in this quarter of the Island,* it is common, here, to roll the surface, very hard, or to tread it with sheep, either fold- * ENGLISH NATURALISTS, it would seem, are silent, as to this common animal. For BERKENHOUT has not discovered it, in their works. It is evidently a 1uLus(of Linneus.) But of this species Dr. B. has only two species,—the terrestris—‘ black, polished.” —and the sabulosus—* ash-color:” whereas the wire- worm, or-as it is sometimes called the‘‘ red worm,” is of an orange, or redish yellow color. Isit a variety of the last? The ravages of this animal, I believe, have seldom been heard of, northward of the Thames, until last year, 1797, when they extended even to the midland counties. How an animal, without wings, could spread itself thus widely, in one season, appears to be inexplicable. It must previously have existed there, though unperceived; and the last, or the preceding year, proved peculiarly favourable to its propagation, 94. GROWING CROPS. 1G- ed or driven over it, between the sowing of the crop and its appearing above-ground;— and, this, perhaps, without strict regard to the quality of the soil: I have, at least, seen it done, on a soil that appeared to be alto- gether improper to be more closely com- pressed, than it is, in its natural texture; especially when lying as it does, on a re- tentive base. But the practice belongs to lighter, more absorbent soils; and it is ex- tended to those of a contrary nature, for want of that discrimination, which belongs to the higher stages of the art, and which ENGLISH HUSBANDRY has not yet attained. The depredations, committed by this mis- chievous reptile, proceed from its feeding on the principal or downward root; most espe- cially of wheat; thus cutting off the plants; generaliv in plots or siripes; but, in some years, and in some instances, spreading de- struction over the whole field; so far, at least, as to render what remains unfit to occupy the ground, as a crop. It is not peculiar to ley grounds, though most pre- valent in old sward: but is likewise. often destructive to wheat, after peas: that is to say, on free, meliow, absorbent soils. eet FO. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 95 Remark. Are not these vermin of the soil encouraged, by the neglect of sum- MER TILLAGE? Allherbivorous animalcules, which have not the power of flight, but are liable to the circumstances of the plot of ground they are bred in, may surely be ex- tirpated, by keeping the soil they inhabit, free from every thing herbaceous; espe- cially, during the summer months, when they are in a state of activity, and doubtless require daily support. And it appears to be no more than common prudence, in. those who have lands peculiarly infested with this, or any other, slow-moving ani- malcule, to give them up to UNABATING TILLAGE, the longest time possible, so as not to lose more than one year’s crop. For the advantages of the EIGHTEEN MONTHS FALLOw, see WEstT oF ENGLAND, Min: 17, For other remarks, on TILLAGE, as de- structive of vermin, as wellas of weeds, see Mipianp Countigs, Min: 24,.* CORN CROPS are never hoed, in the ordinary, practice of the district: neverthe- less, the hand hoe is sometimes applied by * Further remarks on the soDwWoRM will appear in the section HOPS. 96 GROWING CROPS. 10. judicious managers, to thin places, or where the wire-worm has cut off the crop, par- tially. PULSE CROPS,.on the contrary, are universally hoed: the intervals, with the nidget, Or HORSE-HOE, the rows with the hand-hoe: cleaning them, in general, with the gardener’s attention. When pulse is de- ypended upon, as the cleansing, or FALLOW CROP, a rigid attention to the land, while i the crop is growing, becomes essential. SPARROWS.| This rapacious enemy of crops are in less force, here, than in most other parts of England: and this, perhaps, is owing to a species of TRAP, which is in use, for taking them; and which, I believe, is unknown to the rest of the Island.| This simple engine consists of a small wicker basket(resembling the fruit sieve of the London markets;) with a cover, of the same material, fitted to it, and formed on the principle of the fish pot, and the ver- min trap, into which the entrance is easy, but the return difficult. These traps, which are an ordinary ar- ticle of sale, in the markets of the district, are of brown unpeeled oziers.. The diame- 5 re ET a 10. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 97 ter about two feet: the depth nines inches. The cover is somewhat dishing, with a tun- nel, or inverted cone, in the center, reach- ing to within about an inch of the bottom of the basket; the aperture, or entrance, formed by the points of the twigs of which the tunnel is constructed, being about one inch and a half in diameter. The usual bait is wheat, scattered in the basket. The number caught, at once, is frequently more, than theory would sug- gest. The contentions of a few, that have entered, seldom failing to bring others to the combat. er: HARVEST MANAGEMENT. IN this important work of husbandry, we find many VARIETIES OF PRACTICE, here, that are well entitled to particular mention. Some of them, as being valuable in them- selves; others, as showing the DIVERSITY OF METHODs, by which the same ends are VOL.!. H oh HARVEST MANAGEMENT. Ii. obtained, in the different districts and de- partments of the kingdom: opening a wide field for conjecture and discussion, respect- ing their origin, or introduction. In REAPING, however, there are few striking deviations, from the ordinary prac- tice of the kingdom, at large; except that, here, the practice of“ BAGGING, or MOW- ing with one hand, is more or less in use; and is performed, in nearly the same man- ner, as what is termed HEWING, in the Wesr or ENGLAND: and which is there described. In REAPING OATS, that were lodged and weedy, and while the air was damp, I ob- served an instance, in which, instead of be- ing bound into sheaves, or set up in sing- lets, they were spread out in SWATHS, as if cut with the sithe: to remain in these, until the weeds were withered and the straw stiffened. Another minutia of management, respect- ing reaped crops, which I noticed in this district, and which ought to be observed in others, is that of SETTING UP SHUCKS; not according to the direction of the field, or the ridges into which it has happened to be il. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 99 plowed, but in the line of the meridian— pointing north and south;—in order that the sun may have equal effect, on either side of them. This, it: is true, is somewhat more conveniently done, on ground laid flat with the turnwrest plow, than where jit is raised into narrow ridges. Nevertheless, in ‘Most cases, it is practicable and eligible. If any deviation from the meridian line be eli- gible, it would seem to be that of giving the south ends of the shucks a somewhat westerly direction. But if we consider that more rain, as well as more wind, comes to us from the south west, even this deviation appears to be unnecessary, if not improper. It is observable, in this place, that in the southern, as well as in the northern pro- vinces, WOMEN are employed, in the ope- ration of reaping; though by no means so generally, in the former, as in the latter. Nevertheless, the country doubtless receives considerable benefit, from their assistance. See Mipitanp CounrTiszs, for observations on this subject. GLEANING is, here, universally forbid- den; until the crop be carried off the ground, I did not, at least, see a single instance of H 2 100 HARVEST MANAGEMENT. IE. gleaning, either after the reapers, or among shucks: not, however, through a want of “ rE asERS;” who follow the harvest wag- gons, and flock into the fields, in numbers, after the ground is cleared. For reflections on this subject, see MipLanp CounTIEs, Min: 80. MOWING CORN. In this operation, the husbandmen of Kent excel: not as to neatness, only; but in respect to utility. The corn siTHE is furnished with a cradle, provincially« harness,” or with a bow, according to the given crop, or the habit of the workman. I saw only one instance of mowing corn, with the naked sithe, agreeably to the Midland practice. Where the crop stands tolerably fair, the cradle is generally preferred; and it is used with singular dexterity. In the practice of every other department of the kingdom, the sithe is swung, horizon- tally, or nearly level; leaving the stubble of nearly an even height; or, if it rise on either side, forming what are called swath balks, the buts of the swaths are suffered to rest upon them; the heads or ears of the corn falling into the hollow, or close-mown a.—__ SS mr PEP—_—————— 5 DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. O01 part of the preceding swath width. They are of course liable, in a wet season(the chief thing to be guarded against) not only to receive an undue portion of rain water; but to be fouled with the splashings of heavy showers. In the Kentish practice, the position of the swaths is different. Here, the beads of the corn rest on the top of the swath-balk, provincially the“ beever;” which is left of extraordinary height, as ten to fifteen inches; so that the wind has a free circu- lation, beneath the swaths. The workman, in performing this judi- cious operation, proceeds with his right foot, forward; entering the point of his sithe, with a downward stroke, and raising it as abruptly out; bringing the handleround to the left, until it form nearly a right- angle with the line of the swath; carrying the corn, in the cradle, three or four feet behind the place where it grew; lifting it high, and letting it fall lightly on the beever, behind his left foot, and in the po- sition above described* How difficult to convey, in words, even this simple Operation, so as to render it 102 HARVEST MANAGEMENT. II, practical, in a country where it 1s wanted. Yet how readily, and effectually, it might be taught, by a Kentish workman, in a PUBLIC SEMINARY. The disadvantages of this method are the loss of some straw, the incumbrance arising from the length of stubble, and a little ad- ditional labor. But in a country, where cattle are not numerous, the loss of straw is not felt; and, in any country, the prin- ciple of laying the heads, instead of the buts of the corn, upon the swath balk, whe- ther left high or low, might well be adopted. DRYING MOWN CORN. The swaths are sometimes suffered to lie on the beevers, until they are dry enough to be carrried; and are then formed into cocks,(or neater wads) agreeably to the practice of all the midland, and most of the southern counties(the central and eastern parts of Kent, being, I believe, the only parts that deviate from this practice) excepting so far as relates to the superior neatuess of the Kentish method; and in that the swaths are seldom broken, in the southern counties, until the day they are carried. See MipLanp COUNTIES, on this subject. 11. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. fe But, whatever has been, formerly, the prevailing practice of Kent, it 1s, at present, and has been for some time, that of bind- ing the swaths, in large SHEAVES, or bundles, and generally with rope yarn: which is easily procured, in this maritime county.* In doing this, the swaths are rolled, or piled part after part, with large, crooked, long- toothed rakes, made for this purpose, and well adapted to it, into rough bundles; by pulling part of the swath one way and part the other, as in the Norfolk method of breaking swaths into cocks. A bundle be- ing thus formed, the workman throws down his rake, and, taking a length of rope yarn, which hangs at his girdle, forcibly thrusts the end of it under the bundle; which be- ing turned over, a knot is tied. An ope- ration, which, to a bystander, appears a little uncouth and immethodical. The PiLEs, instead of sHucKs, which are formed with these rough sheaves, are the * Yet in the West oF ENGLAND, even within a few miles of Plymouth,(where a practice similar to that of Kent prevails) rope yarn is not used for this pur- pose—perhaps has never been thought of:. the wasteful practice of making bands of dry oats being in use. ‘ x “dl a ta OR PER AEE Mites Bina NAT ce A te oy ROOA A ama na 104 HARVEST MANAGEMENT. Ii. most striking objects that meet the eye of| a stranger, in the Kentish harvest. They) are formed of ten bundles each. Four of them are laid, heads-and-tails, upon the| | ground; by way of a bottom, or founda- Le tion, two sheaves in width, and somewhat a more than one sheaf in length. On these| tl the remaining six are piled, three two| and one, with all their buts, or thickest|| ends, the same way: thus bringing the pile f to a sort of point, given by the but of the last sheaf, whose head hangs steeply down- ward; forming a sort of roof, or thatch, to| the side of the pile.| By this method of piling the sheaves, it is evident, that the ears have very different| degrees of exposure. Those of the first. four are entirely buried; and those of the| two undermost rendered liable to the cool- ness, and perhaps dampness, of the ground; while those of the other six, that of the last most especially, are in great part exposed.| The whole of the buts, however, are open to the air; and for corn which is weedy, and the buts of the sheaves foul and full of 0 green herbage, this may be an eligible me-| thod: but, surely, not for clean straight tI. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 105 corn; for which upright shucks are doubt- less preferable. The advantage of harvesting barley and oats in bundles, lies in their being more easily loaded and ricked. But I met with an idea, here, that more loose corn may be trodden into the bay of a barn, by the help of a horse, than by binding and mowing by hand. And another, that mice are less liable to enter a mow of loose corn, hard trodden, than one built with sheaves; whose interstices furnish them with convenient runs. Even in the very simple operation of RAKING up the scattered corn, left upon STUBBLES, whether after binding or cock- ing, there are varieties of practice.‘This district furnishes two.! One of them is given by a HORSE RAKE, eight feet long, with teeth nine or ten inches below the head, and with a block wheel at each end of it, of such a diameter, as to re- gulate‘the action of the teeth, so as to ga- ther the corn, without tearing up the soil or stubble. And this it performs, with bet- ter effect, than theory might suggest. It must be remarked, however, that it works, a : Ay a 1 gy | iW ha ig A 106 HARVEST MANAGEMENT. It. here, on smooth level surfaces, as left by the turnwrest plow; and that it would not be equally eligible on rough, uneven, ridge- and-furrow work. One horse, in shafts; a boy, to lead it; and a man, to disburden the rake, at stated distances, are employed in the operation. The other Stubble Rake of this district is drawn BY HAND: and is of a valuable construc- tion. It differs from that of the MIDLAND counTiEs, in having shafts, similar to those of the common horse rake, instead of a forked handle. Towards the points of the shafts, which are about six feet long, a shifting crosspiece, resembling in form the single ox-yoke, slides upon the rods, so as to re- gulate the instrument to the height of the workman: holes being passed through the shafts and the ends of the yoke; which is fixt, by this means, higher or lower, with an iron pin, at each end. In use, the yokelike bend in the middle of the crosspiece(which is about two feet long) rests on the shoulder or collar of the workman. Between this and the head of the rake(and about two feet from the lat- ter) is a fixed crosspiece, to keep the shafts Il. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 10” firm, and for the workman to lay hold of, with his right or loose hand, to ease his col- Jar, and to lift the rake, when the teeth are full, or when he has reached the stated line of delivery. The advantage of this rake, over that of the midland counties, is that of its being stiffer, and less liable to dip, or be drawn down, by running weeds, or other impedi- ments. But, across ridge-and-furrow work, the single-handled rake, and shoulder strap, have a decided advantage; as being more easily raised or depressed, as occasion re- quires, in passing the ridge or the furrow. Thus, we see, each is best adapted to the peculiar practice, or general economy, of the country, in which experience has esta~ blished its use. LOADING CORN. To those who have not attended to the minutenesses of the har- vest management, and have not a practical knowledge of their advantages and disad- vantages, in the hurry of a busy‘season, may think it unworthy of the pen, to say how the load is carried up, and how secured from accidents. But those who have seen the remnant of a field of corn caught ina 108 HARVEST MANAGEMENT. ii- heavy rain, merely through the miscar- riages of the day, arising from a want of method in forming the load, or of caution in binding it, will attend with patience to the practice of another, even though it may prove less eligible than his own. In the established practice of the district of Maidstone, the load is carried up, in the form of a long cube, with the buts of the sheaves outward; each course being tied in, by sheaves laid lengthway of the car- riage; finally, covering the binding sheaves, with others laid across the load. To bind the load, thus formed, two ropes(or a very long one doubled) are fastened in a roller, or wince, firmly fixed upon the hind cross- piece of the body of the waggon; and the two ends thrown over the load, forward; so as to bear on the cross sheaves last men- tioned. The two loose ends of the rope being drawn down moderately, by hand, and fastened to the forepart of the car- riage, the other ends are wound round the _ roller of the wince, by the means of two iron bolts, or short levers: thus giving a degree of tightness to the ropes, and firm- ness to the load, which no strength of Bae ke i if. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 109 arm, unassisted by mechanic power, could effect. If, in this method of carrying corn, the rule were observed, to lessen the width of the load, as its height is increased, the se- curity would be still greater. 12: FARM YARD MANAGEMENT. MY iNFORMATION, on this head, is necessarily confined; by reason of my not being resident in the district, during the winter. months: so essential it is, to a coM- PLEAT REGISTER of the practice of any particular district, to reside in it the year round.| What I saw of the operation of THRASHING, in this part of Kent, con- veyed nothing new or striking. The me- 116 FARM YARD MANAGEMENT.#2: thod in use, here, resembles that of GLo- CESTERSHIRE, which has been described. WINNOWING is done chiefly with the SAIL FAN: only one machine fan, or WIN- NOWING MILL, fell under my notice. When the floor is of sufficient length, and the wind fair, casTinG(in the NorFoLK man- ner) is sometimes used; especially, I be- lieve, for seed corn. STRAW is consumed, in this, as in the other districts of the southern counties, in the opEN YARD. In this respect, the prac- tices of the north, and the south, of England differ widely: there, it is eaten and con- verted into dung: here; the principal part of it is trodden into manure; the number of strawyard stock being generally dispro- portioned to the quantity of straw. VERMIN. The most valuable fact which I collected, in this district, respecting the homestall management, relates to RATS, whose destructiveness is grown to so great a height, in every district of the island, as to become a serious cause of alarm, for the grain produce of the country; and every method of reducing the number requires to be used. [N= a 12 DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. rtf A respectable yeoman, and most inge-~ nious husbandman, in the neighbourhood of Maidstone,* has, for some years past, been possessed of a method of drawing them together, in numbers; and even of render- ing them, in a degree, tame and familiar; not, however, by any charm or fascinating lure; but by pursuing obvious and rational means; and on principles similar to those employed, in taking mice, in the instance noticed, in YORKSHIRE. The season, best adapted to the purpose, is that of summer; when the barns are empty, and their allowance of provisions short. At this time, such food is provided, as is found, by experience, to be most agree- able to them. Wheat flour and sugar, scented with the oil of caraway, and form- ed into paste with water, has been found to be a favorite food. The chief difficulty of preparation lies in communicating the scent, evenly to the whole, so as not to give pun- gency, to any part. This is done, by rub- bing the oil into the palms of the hands, and then rubbing the flour between them: * Mr, Fow te of Fant; to whom I am indebted for much information. LL 112 FARM YARD MANAGEMENT. 12. afterwards rubbing the flour and sugar to- gether, in a similar manner. A recluse part of the farm buildings, near their favorite haunt, being pitched on, and darkened, they are continued to be fed, with balls or bits of this palatable, whole- some paste, at stated times, or regular meals; until the whole, or a considerable number, of those that inhabit the premises, are drawn together, and feed freely, on the food pre- pared for them; when they are either con- centrated on a platform, over which a fall- ing trap is suspended, so as to drop instan- taneously, and inclose the whole collec- tion; or, which requires much less time and attention, a sufficient quantity of arsenic is added to the paste, to operate asa poison. In adding this, as in giving the scent, much caution is required. The least grit- tiness offends, or alarms them; so that the arsenic cannot be pounded too fine; it ought to be elutriated, or washed over; by which means no particle, that is not capable of being momentarily suspended in water, can enter the composition; which is made up, with this poisonous liquor, in- stead of pure water. — wm 12, {0. ngs, on, fed, )le- als: ber, awn pre- COn= fall- an- lec= ime enic 1900, cent, grit- the att ver; ; not od IN hich INl- 12. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE: 112 Remarks. The exertions of an indivi- dual, however, though ever so well directed and successful, are of little avail, even to himself, when applied to the species of ver- min under notice. Rats not only join in companies, while they are inhabitants of the same place, but travel together in bodies, from farm to farm, or place to place, as a want of food, alarm, or policy directs them. In the midland district, moles are in a manner extirpated, by means of PARISH RATES. Yet the infinitely more hurtful rat is, in every district, permitted to con- tinue in force; without any sort of public attention. A parochial attention, however, is not sufficient to exterminate the rat, or sufficiently to lessen its destructiveness. Hundreds, or counties, should join in its extirpation. And how easily might such a work be carried into effect, by the means of COUNTY RATES. It would be a crime not to mention, here, though in some part out of place, another most ingenious invention of the same per- son: A VERMIN TRAP, on a new principle: new, at least, to me. It consists of a wooden box, or hutch, VOL: I. I =, 4 114 FARM YARD MANAGEMENT. 12 resembling the dog hutch or kennel, which is usually provided for the yard dog, to hide and sleep in; its form being that of an open wire partition, running from end to end, and reaching from the ridge of the roof to the floor. One side of this par- tition is again divided, into two parts, or cages; one of them for a tame rabbit, the other for a live fowl, to allure the vermin. The other half of the hutch being formed into a falling box trap, to take them! Great numbers of weasels, stoats, and polecats(as well as domestic cats) have been caught, in coppices and hedgerows, by this most simple and ingenious, yet, when known, most ob- vious device. DES, Go el es Es MAIDSTONE is the principal market | town of the district. Tunsripce, how- ever, commands the upper part of it; and the barn. It is divided, in the middle, by. * 13.| DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. arg| draws together a portion of the corn and Hops it produces. It is a striking fact, and well worthy of notice, that, notwithstanding the short dis- tance, between this part of Kent and the market of SMITHFIELD, it has its own mar-= kets for FAT STOCK. Formerly, it had only one; that of Tunsripce, which was held weekly. Now, it has four; name- ly, MarpsTone, TunsRIDGE, SEVENOAKS, and RocHESsTER; each of which has its MONTHLY MARKET, during summer and autumn. The usual quantity of stock, collected at the monthly market of Maidstone, in the autumnal months, may be laid at a thousand head of sheep, and about one hundred and fifty head of cattle; chiefly from Romney Marsh; some from the Weald. The buyers are mostly butchers, from the Towns and ports of. this populous county; with some from the METRoOPpoLIs. How much more eligible it is, for the butchers of Gravesend, Rochester,Chatham, Sheerness, Canterbury,&c.&c. to attend these markets, than to spend their time, in riding after the graziers, to purchase what Ia 116 MARKETS. bit 53. stock they want; as is done by those of Birmingham, and the manufacturing towns in its neighbourhood. See MipLANnD Coun- TIES. 14. W..H,; EA T. THE QUANTITY GROWN, in this part of Kent, is very considerable. Never- theless, in the immediate neighbourhood of Maidstone, and wherever the culture of hops is prevalent, the proportion of wheat is small: chiefly, on account of the best wheat lands being appropriated to the hop cul- ture; though, in some: part, no doubt, to the manure, which the country affords, be- ing much of it expended on that crop. The SPECIES are various. The‘ ZEE- LAND, a white wheat,—the“ HerTForD- SHIRE, a brown wheat, the“ Roy au WIL- LIAM,—and the“ TAUNTON WHITE,— I have heard spoken of, as valuable varie- ties.. But this is speaking a language that is understood, only, in the place where it is n this ever= od of ‘hops eat 1S wheat D cul- Ibt, to s, be- ), Lhe FORD Wit- e| 14. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 117 used. And if I were to give botanic de- scriptions, and accurate drawings, what use- ful end would they answer? I have, in dif- ferent departments of the kingdom, col- lected specimens of the valuable varieties of wheat in cultivation. But unless we had some PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENT, in a central situation, where their comparative merits might be examined, in a state of growth, of what use is the collection? In SUCCESSION, the wheat crop usual- ly follows BEANS, PEAS, of CLOVER: not un- frequently TURNEPs; and sometimes“ DRY FALLOW. After the last, I have seen the crop large, and the land clean; while, after pulse, it is too frequently the reverse, and the stubbles, in many cases, are left un- sufferably foul. The species of SOILS, appropriated to this crop, are all those of the district; ex- cept, perhaps, the very lightest, at its eastern extremity. TILLAGE. The autumn FALLow AF- TER PULSE has been described, as consisting of three plowings of different intentions. But two, or perhaps one, is sometimes all the bean grattans receive; especially after rn ied hd aE oe nn RE Ee 118 WHEAT. TA. a late harvest. In this case, however, the surface, if the soil and season will permit, is“ stricked,” or channeled, witli the strick- ing plow, noticed in the section IMPLE- MENTS. I have seen the OPERATION OF STRICKING performed, in the following manner. In this instance, the implement was double; having two chips or keels, about four feet long, and fixed at sucha distance from each other, as to draw channels or seedseams, ten inches and a half apart, from middle to middle. The team was of two horses, at length; with two men, to guide and hold; turning to the right and left, alternately, as in plowing with the turnwrest plow. To draw the grooves at equal distances, and parallel to each other, the inside wheel was kept in the outside furrow or channel; con- sequently, the wheels were set at a distance equal to three times that between the chan- nels; which the implement left three or four inches deep, and of a concave form: a form, which, when the hoe is not intend- ed to be used, is much preferable to a sharp angle, at the bottom; as the plants are more evenly distributed in the soil, and their U, r, the mit, rick. [PLE~ KING tn uble; Ir feet 1 each Pains, lle to as, at iold; ly, as » To , and o| was con- tance chan- ee Of orm: end- barp ; are thei! i4. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 119 roots less liable to interfere with each other, than when they are crowded, and matted together, in rows. The‘dispatch, in this case, was about three acres, a day. It is observable, that the Kentish plow- men, in giving the seed plowing, of broken ground, lying on a slope, with the common turnwrest plow, make it a general rule, I believe, to turn the soil upward, or against the slope; doubtless to form cleaner and deeper seedseams, than plowing downward could give. The MANURES, in use for wheat, are chiefly Lime and pune, applied in the man- ners already described, in the section MA- NURE. SEMINATION.‘The SEASON OF SOW- inc lasts from Michaelmas, to near Christ- mas. In cases, where the autumn fallow. is depended upon, for all the purposes of tillage and exposure, the longer it is continued, the more effectual will be its services, to the soil; but, in general, the less productive will be the crop. The QUANTITY OF SEED is moderate:— namely, from two and a half to three bushels, an acre. In regard to the PREPARATION of seed 120 WHEAT. 4. wheat, there are, in this, as in other dis- tricts, different opinions. Many or most, however, believe in brine: some letting it lie twelve hours in steep. A CHANGE OF SEED is here thought to be of great service to the crop: by some men, it is held as necessary: not merely a trans- fer, from soil to soil of Opposite natures; but from district to district: the distance (that is to say the change of atmosphere!) being the great thing to be desired. But this idea, perhaps, has been propagated, and is still enforced, by dealers in seed wheat. It is nevertheless entitled to a fair and full investigation. The GROWING CROP. To guard, as much as may be, against the ravages of the sodworm, wheats, in general, I understand, are ROLLED, with heavy rollers, in the spring; being not unfrequently pusH-Har- ROWED, previously to the rolling; but most especially, I believe, where clover seed has been sown over the crop. The Hor, as has been said, is seldom in- troduced among wheat; even though it be ‘“ stricked in;” unless when it is thin, or “© platty.” ! observed an instance, in this district, of ui DISERICE.@MARDSTONE. ia; BLIGHTED WHEAT being CUT VERY GREEN, See GLOCESTERSHIRE, on this subject. The HARVEST management of wheat has been mentioned, under the general head, page 97. It is bound in sHEAves, of very different sizes; and is set up, in NAKED SHUCKS; generally of ten each; especially when the TITHE is taken IN KIND; which it too fre- quently is, in this part of the kingdom. The practice of CoVERING sHUCKS may be said to be unknown, to the SouTHERN CounTigEs. But see the MipLanp Coun- TIES, on this particular. Wheat sTUBBLES are in general mown. The produce of stubble and weeds, which in most cases, is abundant, I have seen stacked up, in a corner of the field. This practice of clearing away the stubble being, perhaps, followed, less with a view to col- lect litter, than as a necessary preparative to the operation of broadsharing. The PRODUCE of wheat, in this quar- ter of the Island, is extraordinarily great; at Jeast, in the mouth of general report. Four, five, Six, nay, seven or eight quarters, an acre, are talked of. eo i} i \ en NC Tr. [aa F22 WHEAT. 14s On the silty soils, in the Tunbridge quar- ter of the district, especially those that are incumbent on a gravelly subsoil, the pro- duce is generally very great. From infor- mation which I can rely on, having it from the mouth of the grower, a man of charac- ter, seven quarters and a half, an acre, have been grown on these lands: not on a single acre, merely; but over a whole field. The measure eight gallons and a half: the va- riety of wheat, the“ Zeeland.” Judging, however, from what I saw, 1n the year ninety, and in the neighbourhood of Maidstone, three quarters, an acre, ap- peared to be the par produce. On some of the strong clean lands, on rock, a much greater produce was evident,—as four to five quarters; but on many or most of the weaker lands, lying on retentive bases, and on which the fallow-crop husbandry had been injudiciously pursued, eighteen to twenty bushels, an acre, was the full pro- duce. MARKETS. It is sold, either to the MILLERS OF THE COUNTRY, or to corn fac- tors, for the Lonpon MARKET. The whole is sold by sample; there being no“ pitching Tt Si Td. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 123 of sacks,” or selling corn, im bulk, in this quarter of the southern counties. During the late scarcity and exorbitant price of wheat, some exertions were made towards establishing a bushel market, at Maidstone, for the benefit of the poor; but they ceased with the high price of provisions. 15. B.A. Lee THIS CROP, also, is in FULL CULTIVA- TION, in the district under view. The only SPECIES which I saw culti- vated, is the LONG-EARED, OF HORDEUM distichon. The SOILS, appropriated to this crop, are all those which the district comprizes. Even the strong coomby soils, when incum- bent on rock, are esteemed favorable to barley. An evidence, which brings con- viction, that it is not the lightness or open- v84 BARLEY. 1. ness of texture, of the soil itself, but the warmth and absorbency of the base, on which it rests, that is grateful to this fasti- dious crop. SEMINATION. The TIME oF sowincG is the latter end of April, and the beginning of May. The usual guaNnTiTy oF sEED, I was told, is four bushels, an acre; even after clean turneps! HARVESTING. It is universally cut, with the sithe; and left in pillowed swaths; until it be dry enough to carry; or is bound and piled up, in the field, in the manner already mentioned. The PRODUCE, from what I observed, and from what information I obtained, may be averaged at four quarters, an acre. The MARKET for barley lies, chiefly, or wholly, within the neighbourhood of its growth; the produce being bought up by the MALTSTERs of the county. ‘3 ea 4 Swe ei 16. DISTRICT. OF MAIDSTONE. 125 10. O AlYT. 5: OF THIS CROP, too, the propor- TIONAT number of acres is considerable. On the cool weak soils, of the southeast quar- ter of the district, it is an eligible crop. But, on the warmer, mellower, better lands, it ought seldom, perhaps, in strict pro- priety of management, to appear. The im- propriety is the greater, as, on the better lands, at least, they are chiefly grown after wheat, and become, of course, a heavy bur- den on the fallow-crop plan of manage- ment. But, where an inordinate number ef horses are kept up, to an immoderate state of fatness, a proportionate supply of oats must be provided. The SPECIES are mostly the common WHITE OAT; With a small portion, in 1790, of the TARTATRIAN, Of REED OAT. The QUANTITY OF sEED—four or five —_ 126 OAT S. 16. bushels. The propuce—three to six quar- ters. The MarKETs—the cart horse stables of the farms they grow on. 17. BEAN 5S. THE PROPORTION of beans, to other arable crops, is greater, in this, than in any other inclosed country, I have examined. The SPECIES, or VARIETIES, in culti- vation, are four: the“ FRENcH Tick”’—a small dark grey bean; the“ MIDDLE Tick” —a somewhat larger brown bean; the ma- ‘ZAGAN,—a still larger sort of brown bean; and the LonG-pop,—a well known garden bean. In SUCCESSION, the bean crop, most commonly, follows cLoveR: sometimes, however, it succeeds wheat, or other corn CROP; and, in some few instances, at least, beans have succeeded TURNEPs; a particu- lar of management, in the fallow-crop hus- bandry, which might frequently be copied, with profit. 17, DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 17 The SOILS, employed in the bean cul- ture, are chiefly the stronger kinds, on ab- sorbent bases; but the cooler lands, of the southern margin of the district, are more or less subjected to it. TILLAGE. There is no particular of the Kentish practice, of which I regret so much the want of a personal examination, as that of putting in the bean crop. The leys have, of course, only one plow- ing: the corn stubbles, I understand, are usually broadshared, in autumn, and have one plowing, in the spring. SEMINATION. No part of the un- dertaking, which I have at length the sa- tisfaction to see drawing fast towards a conclusion, has been so irksome, as that of attempting to describe the minutie of a process or operation, which has not been rendered sufficiently familiar to me, by prac- tice, or repeated inspection; even though the particulars were furnished, by profes- sional men, of the best intelligence. The loss, in the present instance, however, is the less, as the growing crops gave me not only the disposition of the seed, but some idea of the quantity> which last was 128 BEANS,~ t7, sufficiently corroborated, by men of the first integrity. And there are many methods known, by which rour susHEts of beans may be distributed, in rows, TWENTY INCHES asunder. The method which, I understand, is most prevalent, here, and which may be called the practice of Kent, is that of drawing channels, or small furrows, with the strick- ing plow; the distance between the rows being regulated by the wheels of the im- plement. And for lands laid flat and even, with the turnwrest plow, and which will bear to be trodden, in early spring, this appears to be an accurate and eligible me- thod; though by no means well suited to retentive soils, laid up in ridges, and yet so tender, as not to permit any animal of draft to step on them, with impunity. OssERVATION. The quantity of seed will appear, to most practical men, unreason- ably large. In GLocrsTERsHirE, where the rows stand, only ten to fourteen inches apart, the quantity of seed is no more than two and a half to three bushels, an acre; the seeds, deposited, in any determinate length of row, being: twice as numerous, in tw A/ he fag ethods beans INCHES } Most called aWwing strick le TOws he im- l even, h will ited to | yet so of dratt od will easoll- where , jnclies re than acre; ninate DUS; in 17. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 129 Kent, as in Glocestershire. Nevertheless, the practice of Kent is founded on long ex- perience, and may be proper, on the Kentish soils. The plants, it is true, appear to in- terfere with each other: but their conten- tions only serve to force them out, to this or that side of the row; and thus, in effect, to give them more room to mature in. With wide intervals, and a powerful soil, the practice is probably right. The usual SEASON OF SOWING, I was informed, is the latter end of March, or the beginning of April; which is a month, or six weeks, later, than in GLOCESTERSHIRE. But the different modes of putting in the seed may account for this variation in the times of sowing. The GROWING CROP. It is chiefly, by the attention and labor, bestowed on this, the Kentish husbandmen obtain a decided superiority, in the bean culture. In the practice of the higher ranks of professional men, the crop is cleaned, with gardenly care and neatness. The intervals are repeated- ly HoRsE-HoED, and finally rarTHED UP; and the rows kept perfectly clean, ny HAND. And, in return for such treatment, I have VOL, I. K 130 BEANS. rq. seen every stem, bulky as the rows were, podded down to the very soil. In this part of the culture of beans, the practice of Kent may well be taken asa pattern, for the rest of the Island. HARVESTING. The excellency of the Kent practice, likewise continues, through this stage of management: in which, how- ever, it has a rival in that of GLocESTER- SHIRE. Indeed, the practice of the two counties may be said to be the same, or to have sprung from the same root; though they are situated at a great distance from each other; and are separated by districts, that are entirely ignorant of their practice. But admitting it to be of MoNAsTIc origin, or introduction, it is not surprising that it should have got footing, in Kent and Glo- cestershire.. The particulars of the Kentish practice are these. When the halm has been short (as that of the longpod and mazagan bean generally is) I have seen the plants pulled up, With the roots, entire. But, more ge- nerally, they are cut off, above ground, with a sharp reaping hook; the workmen laying hold of the tops, with one hand, and &. ehcp a RATE TE oe ai° Se ae vy. Eve DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE: 135 were, Striking near the ground, with the other; Is patt somewhat in the Glocestershire manner; Kent but much less expeditiously. In this par- lerest ticular, the Glocestershire practice is prefe- rable. See GLocEsTERsuIRE, Sect: Purse. of the Whether the plants be drawn or cut, rough they are spread on the ground, in reaps, tow: shoves, or open sheaves, until they are suf- aati: ficiently withered; when they are set up 8 tWe in“ HIVES,” resembling the Glocestershire “brio HACKLES; but, in general, less accurately neh formed; the Glocestershire farmers being, | hai in this art, also, more’ adept, than those of tricts, Kent, on When the hives are dry, or nearly SO, origi, they are bound into SHEAVES, with rope sie, yarn, or with bop vines; which, if used be- fore they become brittle, make good bind- pl ings, for this purpose. ; If the beans, at the time of binding, are ‘tg not yet sufficiently dry, to be carried, ats they are set up, in sHucks, until they are thoroughly cured. ple The PRODUCE of beans is laid, on a Jaa medium of years and crops, at FoUR QUAR- ia TERS, an acre. I was assured, that in one rKMe Instance, eight quarters of beans, an acre, , and K 2 2> ROT te 132 BEANS. if t6 17. were produced. I saw fifteen to twenty acres, in one field, which were laid, and to all appearance fairly, at six quarters, an acre. These products, though they arise, in some part, from the strength of the soils on which they are produced, evince the pro- priety of growing beans, in DISTANT ROWS; and of using the HORSE-HOE and MOLDING PLOW, iN CULTIVATING THE INTERVALS; SO as to give them the advantages of dillage . and exposure, during the summer months. And these reflections aptly suggest an IMPROVEMENT, with respect to the culture of beans, as a fallow crop, on rich, absor- bent soils, like those of the district of Maid- ‘stone: namely, that of continuing it Two YEARS; cropping the cleaned intervals, and cleaning the rows, of the first year, in the second year’s culture. Had Tuxt confined his HORSE-HOING HUSBANDRY to PULSE,— to BEANS and PEAS, aS FALLOW CROPS, 10 clean the soil for corn and herbage, and re- commended it for this purpose only, he would have deserved well of his country. If 1 C0 tens Lid, and darters, a Yate, in We sails on en i i 18. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 133 Is: PEAS. THE QUANTITY grown, in this dis- trict, is greater, than in most others of the same extent; peas being, here, an ordinary crop. The VARIETIES, in cultivation, are the grey HOG PEA, and the white BoILING PEA; which are suited to soils and circumstances, as the judgment of the occupier directs. In SUCCESSION, I believe, they ge- nerally follow wHEar; sometimes cLovER LEY, and frequently sainroin: the sain- foin leys, especially on the lighter lands, and when tolerably clean, being mostly, I understand, broken up for this crop. SOILS.— The lighter warmer lands. TILLAGE.—One plowing of the ley grounds; a broadsharing, and one turning, of the grattans. i MANURE.—The use of this, I believe, is uncertain; depending on the state and condition of the land. Se yee AE eee Sie sis ei nila a a a ani San= ae { bt :. } | i | | ,| nS ora 134 PEAS. 18, SOWING. This crop is generally cul- tivated in rows, and jn a manner similar to that of beans; except that the intervals, in the pea culture, are usually narrower, than those of beans; namely, sixteen to eighteen inches. But peas are sometimes cultivated, in the broadcast manner. The GROWING CROP of peas, in rows, is treated in a manner similar to that of BEANS. HARVESTING. There are various me- thods, in use, to separate the pea crop from the soil. In the practice of some men, in some districts, we see the common sithe employed, either in mowing the crop into swaths, to be broken into wads, reaps or bundles, by women; or in cutting and, at the same time, forming the bundles, in a rough slovenly way, with the sithe. In others, a large sharp hook, resembling the reaping hook, is fixed at the end of a stout long handle; and with this, solely, they are cut, and bundled. In others, two sickles or reaping hooks(or a larger hook made for this purpose) are made use of; the one to lift up, and give a degree of tension to the halm, the other to separate it from the ia Bs== ee —E———————EEaES————eeeEE- ue. oe z Te ee ieee on se—— 8 18.| DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 135 ly cul. roots; by striking horizontally, near the ilar to ground; the workman, in this case, stooping vals, in much to his work. In the SouTHERN Coun- ', than TIES, an Ingenious and valuable improve- rhteen ment of the last method(as it would seem) vated, has been hit upon, and is more or less com- mon, I believe, to this quarter of the Island; \tOWs, and is, perhaps, peculiar to it. I donot re- that of collect to have seen it in use, elsewhere. This method, and the tools employed in UIs me- it, are difficult to describe. Instead of the ) from short-handled sickle, used in the last-men- en, in tioned operation, a lighter hook, with a “sithe slender handle, about three feet long, is em- p into ployed in raising up the halm; which is ANS oF cut by a sort of sithe, termed a“ swap.” and, at This.is made with part of an old sithe, about 06 in@ two feet and a half long, laid into a handle, sth about four feet and a half in length, and in ¢ the such a manner, that, when the handle is set seit upright, the blade of the sithe lies, every othe way, nearly level, or flat upon the ground. sickles In the lower part of the handle is a cross ve pin, which is grasped by the hand, in work; aye the upper part being loosely bound to the on to arm 2. 1n order to| assist in keeping the fle handle upright, and in rendering the strokes 136 PE Ads: 18. of the instrument the firmer, and more effective. In using this tool, the motion of the work- man is somewhat circuitous; so as to collect and separate a sufficient quantity, to form a bundle;* which, being rounded with the hook, is set up, lightly, by means of the two instruments; in order that it may receive the fullest benefits of the sun and air, and be kept, as free as possible, from the ground. This method is less expeditious, than that of mowing, with the sithe alone. But it places the crop in a better state, with re- spect to security, both as to the weather, and to waste in shedding; and is, on the whole, perhaps, the most eligible method of cutting this aukwardly growing crop, which has grown into an established prac- tice.T * IT speak, here, of broadcast peas, on which, more particularly, I have seen this method of cutting practiced. But it is equally applicable to peas in rows; and is in use, in the district of Maidstone. + Nevertheless, see the following MINUTES in SURREY, on this operation. 19. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 137 d Mote le Work. Collect mes 0 form ith the TARES, RYE. ke. the tio ! rea THE PRACTICE of sowing these grains, Lait, ang for their HERBAGE, and as a FALLOW crop, e ground though not peculiar to the SouTHERN Coun- han that TIES, is more prevalent within them, than Br It in any other part of the Island. ith re In some instances, they are sown sepa~ ‘eather, rate, in others mixed; and sometimes oats on the are substituted for rye. method The SPECIES OF TARES, sown here, NY crop, varies, according to the season of sowing; fed pat there being two species, or rather, I believe, VARIETIES, in cultivation. One of these sorts is called WINTER TARES, which are ih mare sown in autumn; the other sPpRING TAREs, pre and are sown in spring. Conjectures, re- specting these varieties, will be found, in se the following minurEs. | In SUCCESSION, this crop is altogether regular. Corn grattans, that are in con- dition, as to manure,’ but are too foul for a incase EE —S wi=~ See a a i ia 1 | 138 TARES; RYE,&. 19. grain crop, are sown with tares and rye, for a crop of herbage: and,‘sometimes, lands that are out of tilth, are manured for this purpose. The soi, appropriated to it, is any, the farm happens to comprize. The TILLAGE is generally one plowing. The TIME of sowinG—Michaelmas, or Ladyday. The Q@UANTITY of sEED—two bushels of tares, alone; or a proportional quantity, with rye or oats: generally about six pecks of pulse, and a bushel of corn. The EXPENDITURE of this crop, in the district more immediately under view, is chiefly on cart HoRsEs; which are fed with it, in the summer months, as soiling, or GREEN FORAGE, in the stable; where half the produce of the country may be said to find a market; where oats, beans, tares, clover, and sainfoin, enter a sink, that is never saturated.| As a FALLOW CROP, tares and rye have an exclusive advantage; especially when sown in autumn; as they are got off the ground, much earlier, than any other crop; and thereby afford an opportunity of exposing the soil, to the corrective in- fluence of the atmosphere, during the heat ne ls of nity, pecks ap, IN view, e fed 1g, OF half sald to tars, hat is d rye cially ota other unity Mr heat rg. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 139 of summer. This opportunity, however, is frequently bartered, for a crop of turneps; though, sometimes,‘the fallow is continued through the summer, for wheat. But in no instance, that I saw, or heard of, in this district, was it kept on for barley and clover, the ensuing spring. 20. a a ee THE PROPORTIONAL QUANTITY of turneps, on the lighter lands of this dis- trict, is great; seeing the small number of stock it has to consume them. The VARIETY, which is chiefly in cul- tivation, isthe Norfolk WHITE RouND. The RED and the GREEN are likewise cultivated. The LONGROOTED TURNEP I did not ob- serve, in Kent. The Ruta baga, or BULBOUS RAPE, im- properly called the Swedish turnep, is now (1797) making its entry into the Kentish 140‘TURNEDPS. 20. husbandry. As a late spring food, to fill the chasm, which too frequently intervenes, between turneps and grass, this root bids fair to be a valuable acquisition to English agriculture.* SUCCESSION. A foul oat sTuUBBLE, I believe, is the ordinary subject of the turnep fallow. After early cut TAREs, as has been mentioned, turneps are sometimes grown; also in HOP GROUNDS; as will ap- pear under the hop culture. But I saw no instance of their being sown, on wheat stubble, after harvest; notwithstanding the favorableness of the climature, for this prac- tice.! In TILLAGE, the turnep fallows of Kent may be said to rank high,—are above mediocrity; notwithstanding the defects of the implement they are worked with. But they may be worked at almost any season; * Butzous Rape. I have not had an opportunity of examining, with botanic accuracy, the flowers of this plant. But, in leaf, and general appearance, it resembles the rape, or cole plant,—(BRASSICA napus) of which it appears to be merely a variety, with a bul- bous root. Its growth and habits are perfectly different from those of the cultivated turnep—(BRASSICA rapa.) oo. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 141 0) fl : i and are continued to be tilled, until they 7 are sufficiently cleaned, without a strict re- tb gard to the TIME oF sowiNc. In 1790, lish the chief part of the turneps, in the district under view, were sown the latter end of mM, July; some the beginning of August. the This is a point of management, which as ought ever to be aimed at: and, in a coun- ane try, like this, where the quantity of stock Hap is proportioned to the appearance of the I san crop, at Michaelmas, it cannot be departed vheat from, with propriety. Where there is a g the regular establishment of stock, to which the ac- quantity of turneps is to be apportioned, a weight of crop is required; and the time vs of of sowing becomes an object of stricter above attention. cts of The GROWING CROP is equally well But attended to, as the fallow. The practice of son} the country is to HOE TWICE: and a greater proportion of clean good turneps I have ‘i not observed, in any other. ers of If the crop be rank, especially on the nee it stronger lands, and in a dry season, the pus) HARROW is not unfrequently drawn over ee it, previously to the first hoing; to which < it is, in many cases, a valuable preparation. E42 BURNERS«7 2.0. The EXPENDITURE is chiefly on SHEEP, Which are folded upon them, as they stand; or on cATTLE, for which they are drawn; and usually, I believe, given to them, in stalls. 4A. # POT A PO£75. THE QUANTITY grown, here, is in- considerable, compared with that which is raised, in most other parts of the Island. Remarks.\ It may be observed, of this valuable article of produce, that its cultiva- tion is most prevalent, where grass lands abound, and where the population is above the proportion of arable lands: gaining a footing, slowly, in acorn country. Thus, in Ireland, in Lancashire, and throughout the North of England, and in Scotland, it has long been introduced, as a species of FARM PRODUCE; while in Kent, and Nor- folk, corn counties, it has not, until of very nd 2k DISTRICT. OF MAIDSTONE. 143 late years, been suffered to stir beyond the pale of the garden, or hopground. These circumstances may not arise wholly, from the scarcity of the necessaries of life, in the former situations; but, in part, per- haps, from the nature of the climatures of these two classes of country. A dryness of climature is favorable to conn; and coun- tries enjoying this description of atmo-~ sphere, have been converted, by the expe- rience of ages, into corn countries. On the contrary, a moistness of climature is favor- able to Grass; and it. is well ascertained, that a moist atmosphere is likewise favor- able to the PoTATOE: so that, in having joined the grass lands, it has been choosing its natural climature. It is well known, to men of observation, that a wet summer is favorable to the po- tatoe crop; not only by increasing its quantity: but in improving the quality of the root. This year(1797) 1s one, among many others, in my own recollection, which evidences the fact. And there can be little doubt of its being grown, with the greatest and most certain profit, in a moist climate. 144. POTATOES. 21. Previously to the year ninety, some trials had been made, in the district of Maidstone, to cultivate the potatoe, as an article of roop FOR CATTLE. But, on comparing it with oil cake, it was found to fall short of that extravagant material, even at five or six pounds, a ton. And it was then losing ground, as an article of farm expenditure. Even in the fatting of swine, few were used: peas and beans being still in use, for this purpose. Nevertheless, in 1797, an evident increase of field potatoes had taken place: owing principally, or’ wholly, to the excessive scarcity and high price of corn, in the pre- ceding years. The plan of cuLtivaTion is similar to that of the North of England. They are planted(chiefly, I understood, with dibbles) in rows, about thirty inches asunder: and are hoed, and earthed up, in a workman- like manner. ee 21. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 145 Ge. CL GeV fh 3. MEN, who have passed the middle time of life, speak of the cLovER crop as having been cultivated, in this part of the Island, time immemorial! and, probably, it has been in cultivation, here, a greater length of time, even than it hasin NorFo.k. For a Flemish practice, by reason of the greater facility of communication, was more likely to gain an early footing, in Kent, than in any other part of the Island. The QUANTITY grown, here, at pre- sent, is very great: greater, perhaps, than in the established practice of any other part of England; the eastern side of Norfolk excepted. The SPECIES, in cultivation, is chiefly the RED, Or BROAD CLOVER(TRIFOLIUM pratense.) With sometimes a mixture of WHITE or DUTCH Clover(TRIFOLIUM repens) VOL. 1. L 146€- EL. O'V E-R’& 2%, and of the YELLow clover, or trefoil(ME- DICAGO lupulina;) and, in some instances, with.a farther mixture of RAYGRass(Lo- LIUM perenne.) But, in a country, whose characteristic is corn, and where live stock is subordinate, the temporary ley is not re- quired to be of longer duration, than one year; being, in this case, intended merely as a source of hay, for working stock, and as a valuable matrix for wheat. And, for closely textured soils, red clover, alone, pro- bably is, in this intention, the most eligible. Nevertheless, on lighter lands, which re- quire to be bound together, and on which early spring food is wanted, raygrass and white clover, will, in any district, be found equally advantageous, as they have long been held in Norfolk. In SUCCESSION, the temporary ley follows any of the three corn crops; but chiefly BARLEY and WHEAT; and these in nearly equal proportions: the former, more generally, on the lighter lands; the latter, on the coomb, and strong cool) soils. On the SEMINATION of this crop, I met with nothing new, or interesting, in the district under view. The TIME OF sil itian, 22. DISTRICE OF MAIDSTONE. 147 ‘T/ sowinGc the seed, over wheat, is that of ‘bush-harrowing and rolling the crop, in the spring: over barley, it is sown, at barley seed time.“The QUANTITY OF SEED is spoken of as“a peck an acre:’’—that is, about fifteen pounds, whether of red clover, alone, or of a mixture of it, with the other sorts. YOUNG CLOVERS(contrary to the practice of most other districts) are, I be- lieve, invariably EATEN oFF, with SHEEP, in AauTUMN. A dry season, however, is chosen, for this purpose; the stock being taken out, by accurate managers, when wet weather sets in. Treading them lightly, while the soil is dry, is considered to be beneficial to the . plants; by pressing the soil to the roots; and thereby fortifying them against the effects of frost, in winter. And inay not taking off, the weak shoots, that have been formed, under the shade of the corn crop, assist in concentrating the vigor of the plants, and thus enable them'to withstand the rigor of winter? as well as to throw out more vigorous shoots, from the crowns of the roots, in the spring? L 2 .o 4 { iy 14% Cro VE RS. 23. The APPLICATION of the first shoot of the clover crop is, invariably, to HAY, for team horses: the second, or after shoot, be- ing sometimes mown, also: sometimes, it is eaten off, as AFTERGRASS: and, not un- frequently, is suffered to stand for SEED. Its DURATION is seldom more than ONE YEAR. Inone instance, on the southern margin of the district, and in this one In- stance only!’ I saw a clover and raygrass ley, of three or more years standing. In HARVESTING the second crop of clover, I saw an instance of bad practice, which may not be uncommon. Having been injudiciously made into large cocks, be- fore it was ready to be carried, and having received much wet, in that state, the cocks were torn to pieces, and the hay spread abroad, again, over the field; by which means its more valuable parts would inevi- tably be lost. For hints respecting the pro- per management, of this hazardous crop, see the following MINUTES. The AFTERGRASS of clover,(when the second shoot is eaten off) has the stock usually put upon it, while it is young, soft, and foggy; before it send up its flower~ = 22 DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 149 ing stems, and is seldom suffered, in the SOUTHERN, as in the MIDLAND COUNTIES, to form its heads, or flowers, before it is broken in upon. I saw one instance, how- ever, of this practice. SEED CLOVER. Very considerable quantities are saved, in this district. In 1790, I observed several remarkably fine crops. But the only point of management, that struck me, as being peculiar, or interesting, was that of disengaging the seed from the slough, or tough seed coat, in which it is inclosed, by means of miLLs, adapted to this purpose: thus avoiding a great deal of manual labor; and that of the most dis- agreeable kind, A REMARK ON HARVESTING SEED CLOVER. On viewing those fine crops of clover, in seed, ready for cutting; and observing the withered heads, to rise distinctly, above the green herbage and weeds, which, the season being moist, were full of water as a wet spunge, while the tufts of seed, held- up by their tall foot stalks, were dry enough —— 150 GLOVERS. 22s to be collected, it struck me, forcibly, that some method may possibly be hit upon, to collect the seeds, and suffer the herbage to remain on the ground; to be eaten off, as aftergrass, or to be plowed under, as ma- nure. The principal difficulty, in harvesting seed clover, is to get the herbage dry enough. to be gathered, in the short days and dewy damp season of October. Could not light bags, of thin cloth, or. fine wire, be fixed behind sithes, so as to catch and retain the heads and foot stalks, skimmed off by the implements?. The bags to be emptied, from time to time, into sledges, or other recep~ tacles. 3 If this could be effected, the herbage, on the ground, would be of three times the value, on a par of years, compared with the musty straw of seed clover. While, by drying the heads, under cover, in wet weather, or in the open air, when dry, the seed would be preserved, with great cer- tainty, in its natural vigor and brightness; and would, in many years, be of twice the value of seed, harvested with the herbage. =& ee muiamsrna mnmmutis deiypge-ceapatncincmestnsnthlens, a gtr 22. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 151 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS, ON THE PERMA- -{ NENCY OF CLOVER, AS-AN ARABLE CROP. In every other part of the Island, in which I have diligently examined the natural ha- bits of this inestimable plant, I have found it to be evidently partial to fresh lands;— to lands on which it has not previously been cultivated: in this case, not only affording ampler crops; but remaining in the soil, and in full growth, two, or even three years, if required. On the contrary, lands, which: had formerly borne abundant crops of clover, were found to flag in their exertions; espe- cially where the repetition of the crop had been quick; and still more especially, per- haps, where it had been suffered to remain in growth, two years successively. See Nor- FOLK, MrpLanp CounrTies, and GLOCES- TERSHIRE, on this subject. Nevertheless, in the district under view, in which clover-has been cultivated so long, it still continues to flourish with vigor. - Are these jarring facts(for such they in- dubitably are) to be reconciled, by the na- tural strength of stamina, of the soils of 152 CLOVER. 22. t this district; and by the calcareous matter they contain, and rest on? or by their| never having been subjected, to a regular and quick repetition of this crop, or to a longer duration of it than one year? And may not topping the plants, in autumn, and treading the soil to their roots, prevent their dying away, in the spring; the fatal malady experienced in other places? See NorFouk. Much doubtless depends on the nature t of the sort. Light free lands become the, soonest unproductive. And it is on the strong, yet dry, calcareous lands of this district, on which the permanency of vigor, with respect to clover, is most observable. See the next section. ZO. LU GE RN. THE PRACTICE of this part of Kent is, by nothing, more distinguishable, from that of the kingdom at large, than by this sk a % 03. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 153 crop; which is, here, in comMMoN CULTI- VATION. In many parts of England, we see lucern in gardens, and on other small plots of ground, about the residences of gentlemen; and, there, it is nursed, and cleaned, as a garden plant. But, in the District or MAIDSTONE, it is common to see small fields of lucern: not, however, standing in rows, with hoen intervals, as in other counties, but GROWING AT RANDOM, as sainfoin, clo- ver, or other cultivated herbage._ I was assured, by a most intelligent hus- bandman, that random lucern has been known to LAST TWENTY YEARS. I saw some, on his own farm, of several years standing; yet in full growth. The SOIL, on which it grew, is a rich loam, on a calcareous base,—a sainfoin soil. And there can be no doubt of the vigor and duration of lucern, in this district, being owing to the strength and calcareosity of its lands. The roots of lucern, like those of sainfoin, run to a great depth, in lands of this description. There is only one SPECIES of lucern (MEDIcAGO sativa) and this, I believe, is without VARIETY, in this Island. eS ~ i lt al| ay || it ae a h Fi \ i 154 LUCERN, 23. Its CULTIVATION, in this part of it, is similar to that of clover. The GROWING CROP is sometimes HARROWED, to tear up trailing weeds, and with the general intention of cleaning it. But there are men who disapprove of this practice; as being injurious to the plants; by wounding, or tearing off, the crowns of the roots; and thus, by weaken- ing the crops, giving the weeds the greater ascendancy. This idea, however, may or may not be well founded. If the habits of lucern bear, in this respect, any analog to those of sainfoin, the idea is merely theo- retical; as will be seen in THE IsLE oF THANET. Its APPLICATION is chiefly to horses, in the stable; for which it is usually mown, two or three times, in the course of the summer.? RemMakk. In one or more instances, I saw luxuriant crops of lucern, IN ROWS; and kept beautifully clean. But they were under the care of GARDENERS; and grew on light soils, with non-calcareous sub- strata: not on powerful, and, at the same time, CALCAREOUS LAND; on which only, perhaps, it is able to contend with weeds, 23, DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 155 (when unassisted by art) for a continuance of years; even in the most southern dis- tricts of the Island. And to similar causes, J apprehend, the extraordinary DURATION of cLovER, on the lands of this district, may, in a great measure, be attributed. 24. SAINFOLIN. IN A PASSAGE of country, which~ abounds with calcareous lands, we may rea- sonably expect to find sainfoin, in full cul- tivation: and, in the District or Malip- STONE, we are not disappointed. There are few districts, in which the proportion of sainfoin, to the lands proper for its cul- ture, is so great. There is only one SPECIES; and this is without variety. At least, I have never met with any POPULAR DISTINCTION, either as to the seed, on sale, or the plant, in cul- tivation. Nevertheless, in the various dis- 156 SATNFOITIN: 2A. tricts; in which sainfoin has, for centuries past, been cultivated, and these widely se- parated, and distinct from each other, the plants in cultivation may have distinct pro~ perties. And it behoves him, who is in pos- session of sainfoin lands, to look round him, and endeavour to select the most valuable; or to bring into cultivation, by a judicious selection of seeds, from the most valuable plants of his own crops, a variety which is peculiarly suited, in its natural or acquired habits, to his own soil and situation. See Y ORKSHIRE, on the subject of RAISING VA- RIETIES. In the CULTIVATION of this inesti- mable plant, the most novel idea I met with, in the district under view, was that of M1x- ING IT WITH CLOVER. In one instance, which I more particularly examined, the clover seemed to be overcoming the sain- foin; but in another, an older crop, the sainfoin had gained the ascendancy: the clover was dwindling away; leaving the soil in possession of a beautifully clean, full crop of sainfoin. RemMARK. What an admirable point of practice! How much preferable to sowing 4 ) Reed——_—_—— 24. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 157 the seeds of sainfoin among couch(see Gio- CESTERSHIRE) to keep down other weeds, and force the roots of the crop downward, to their natural pasture; for, here, the pro- ductiveness of the land receives no check: the first year, a crop of clover; the se- cond, a crop’ of clover and saintfoin; the third a full crop of sainfoin, free from weeds! or much less encumbered with them, than it would have been, without the valuable sup- ply of clover. The SOILS on which sainfoin is culti- vated, as.an ordinary crop, are those incum- bent on the cALCAREOUS ROCK and rubble, that have been described. I have, however, seen a full crop of sain- foin on sheer SAND, ON SAND; without any natural calcareous matter, to feed it: a fact which staggered my belief, concerning the cultivation of this plant, with success, over calcareous subsoils only. But a closer examination, and inquiry, into the circum- stances, that attended this fact, served to rivet my opinion, the more firmly. The field, in which it occurred, lies near the foot of the chalk hills(in the parish of Ber- sted) and is known to have been repeatedly — eae mumectumcunmemmermnentenuuenh meee on emer = es 158“OSSATNFEOTN: 24. limed, within memory; and may have been limed, and repeatedly chalked, in ages past. Chalk is known to encourage sainfoin, on these sandy lands; and lime, doubtless, has a similar effect. But although a full crop of sainfoin is sometimes got, on sandy lands, that have been limed or chalked, its dura- tion is ever short: not more, perhaps, than one or two full crops. I met with an instance of the same kind, in Sussex; which will be noticed in the DisTRieT OF PETWORTH. SEMINATION. The succession, TIME OF SOWING,&c. I understand, are the same for sainfoin, as for clover, and lucern. The QUANTITY OF SEED—four bushels, an acre: the PRICE OF sEED—three or four shillings, a bushel. The GROWING CROP. It is an ex- traordinary fact, in the habits of this plant, that, in the district under view, it rises, in some seasons, and on some of the richest lands, to a full crop, the first year! I went over a field of sainfoin, of this age, in the month of October,(1790) when the ground was wholly occupied, by a luxuriant after- growth; and off which, its owner assured Stag GEN ae ae= ye Se a: Piceivomg* rai ee ee eae ‘Sian ~— now in a state of rough pasture grounds, over grown with the coarser weeds,—the knobweed, and meadow scabious; perfectly resembling the 2g. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 165 cooler swells of the vales of Glocestershire, found from which the best cheeses of that coun- DoW, try are produced., And there can be little doubt of the lands, under view, being well one adapted to the same produce; were it pro- fed- per to apply them to it. This being as it hem may, it is highly probable, that many or pe most of those lands are much better fitted, in the nature of their soil and substratum, Con- to pasturage, than to arable crops. And, flat, if they were thoroughly cleaned, judiciously Len, seeded, and kept closely pastured, from their ove earliest state-of growth, there is little doubt, - as.to their being readily brought into a state ed} of profitable grass land. her-. In the MANAGEMENT of grass lands, ver; we find the same neglect, in the arable dis- or trict of Maidstone, as in the arable county of NorroLtk.‘The meadows want DRAIN- the ING and LEVELLING: some of them are the mere swamps(were in 1790); would bea arts disgrace to any country; even the least en- lightened. are Of WATERING, some little had been done, ate in 1790, near Leeds; and much more might ith be done, on the south side of the valley of the Len; which has many rivulets and rills, 166 GRASS LANDS. 25. that run waste down its sides. And whether the waters of that side are, or are not, of a sufficiently fertilizing quality, for this pur- pose, those on the opposite side of the val- ley, which have their rise in the Chalk Hills, are, on a certainty, most fit. Yet the rivu- let of Boxley has run waste, from the be- ginning of time; and still(1790) runs waste, into the sea; though lands, on either side, lie ready to receive it. Much land, on the immediate banks of the Len, might be watered, and some on those of the Med- way; the quality of whose water might be tried, on a smale scale, with little risque of loss. Those of the Len are probably of a superior quality, for the purpose; as they appear to be collected, chiefly, from the skirts of the Chalk Hills. The HAY HARVEST being nearly over, before I reached the district, the only notable circumstance of practice, that struck me, was a simple and effectual way of SECURING THE STACK FROM THE WEATHER, during the time it is forming. “Sart CLOTHS,—old or half worn square sails of ships,—are the usual guards, through- out Kent and Surrey. But a sail cloth Antec 25. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 167 thrown over, arid immediately upon the hay, of a stack in full heat, is liable to do more injury, by increasing the heat, and at the same time checking the ascent of the steam, than service, in shooting off rain water. Beside, when the stack’ is broad, the cloth, thus. spread over it, is liable to bag, in par- ticular parts; and thereby to form recep- tacles, and pools of water; which, unless the cloth be very tight, find their way, in currents, into the body of the stack}. se obviate this, it is not uncommon, to set up a tall post, at each end of the stack, and, having stretched a rope between their tops, to throw the cloth over the rope; and thus, not only prevent its bagging, but also giv- ing a degree of vent to the steam. But this is immechanical, the posts want stays, to keep them upright, and prevent the rope from sagging in the middle; and the cloth, in this case, cannot easily be regulated to the given height of the stack. The improved method of spreading the cloth, which I observed in the DisTRicT of Marpstone, is this. Two tall poles,— ufers,—fir balks,—are stepped firmly, in 168 GRASS LANDS. 25° two cart wheels; which are laid flat upon the ground, at each.end of the stack; and loaded with stones, to increase their firm- ness. Another pole, of the same kind, and somewhat longer than the stack, is furnish- ed, at each end, with an iron ring, or hoop; large enough to admit the upright poles, and to pass freely upon them. Near the head of each of the standards is a pulley, over which a rope is passed, from the ring, or end of the horizontal pole; by which | it is easily raised or lowered, to suit the ao given height of the stack. In the instance ‘ie observed, the rick was begun with two loads of hay; yet even these two loads were as securely guarded from rain, until more could be got ready, as if they had been housed: for a cloth being thrown over the horizon- tal pole, and its lower margins loaded with weights, a compleat roof is formed, and exactly fitted to the stack, whether it be high or low, wide or narrow; the eaves being always adjusted, to the wall plate, or upper part of the stem of the stack; thus effectually shooting off rain water; while the internal moisture, or steam, arising from os. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 169 the fermentation of the hay, escapes freely, at either end; as the wind may happen to blow. What renders this ingenious contrivance the more valuable, is its being readily put up, or taken away. The poles, being light, are easily moved, from stack to stack, or laid up for another season; and the wheels are as readily removed, or returned to their axles. a 2 k | AN} p: ; ] He OreP 08: THE USE, or application, of hops is generally known. It belongs not to me, however, to treat of their dietetic or me- dical qualities. It is enough that they are an ESTABLISHED CROP IN HUSBANDRY, in dif- ferent parts of ENGLAND, to render their culture an essential part of a general work, on its RURAL ECONOMY. Kent has long been celebrated for their culture; and the PracTicE oF MAIDSTONE and its environs, if it has not a decided pre- ference, to that of any other part of the county, it certainly is without a competitor, in West Kent. For this reason, I made it the chief object of my study, and the ground work of the following Register. Nevertheless, my examinations were not Aa 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 170 confined merely to that spot; but were ex- tended to the TUNBRIDGE quarter of the district; also to the WEALD oF KENT; and to the Cransrook side of the county. And whatever differences of method, and varie- ties of practice, struck me, will be here. noticed: in order to concentrate, and bring into one view, the PracTicE or WEsT KENT.| The PROPORTIONAL QUANTITY of hop grounds, to arable and grass lands, in different parts of the District or Marp-~ STONE, is very great. For a few miles round the town of Mazdstone, and in the summer season, the entire country might be termed a forest of hops. In the Malling quarter of the district, as well as in the vallies and rich flat, towards Tunbridge, hops are con- spicuous, above every other species of pro- duce. There is an instance of one man, in. the last-mentioned quarter, cultivating (in 1790) one hundred and thirty acres of “hop garden:” a term which denotes the slender origin of the hop culture, in this part of the kingdom; and which is still re- tained, in the provincial language; even though the field of cultivation were to con- 172 H O7P3S: 26. tain an hundred acres. Indeed, it still hangs on the tongue of tradition, that«‘ they were originally grown by gardeners; not by far- mers. ANALYSIS OF THE SUBJECT. The CULTIVATION, and MANUFACTURE, of the species of farm produce in view, like those of ORCHARDS and FRUIT Liquors, and the management of the pairY, have heretofore been treated of, in a summary and extem- poraneous manner; without a previous ana- lysis of the subject. Nevertheless, it is evident, that, in describing a PROCESS, in AGRICULTURE, aS iN CHEMISTRY, it is ne- tailed, in its proper place; as, in describing a MACHINE, OF APPARATUS, every essential part, and the use to which it is applicable, requires to be particularized, before its con- struction and uses can be rendered evident, and practical. But, to unravel a subject, in which Na- TURE and ART are fortuitously interwoven, as they are in every department of the RURAL SCIENCE, requires a more patient investigation, than will readily, be allowed, by those who have not made the attempt. cessary that every operation should be de-| Peo EE 96.. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 193 Even when NATURE ALONE involves the subject, as in BOTANY, and the other de- partments of NATURAL HIsToRY, the difh- culty is so great, that no man has yet been able to form such an arrangement, however well it may have pleased himself, as to satisfy the rest of mankind.: If, therefore, in the attempts I have made, to analyze and arrange the subject of Ru- RAL ECONOMY, and the various departments and branches of which it consists, I have not reached. perfection, let it be ascribed to the difficulty of the task, rather than toa want of application. At length, I have the satisfaction of seeing an end to my la- bors, in this respect. The species of pro- duce, now under consideration, is the only one of importance, I believe, in ENGLIsH AGRICULTURE, which has not found its place, in these registers. The anaLysis, and synthetic ARRANGE- MENT, appear in the TaBLE OF Con- TENTS. The NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HOP. In the LinNEAN arrangement of plants, the hop is an only species; forms, in itself, a distinct genus: there being no ay re| | ae Hy | ri| iPey | aM AY | AY "an \ = hl \ | i || 1 i | 4 | l 4 f | | — ee —————: 174 Aa) 27S. 26. other plant, known to Linneus, which bears the same generic characters. He has named it HUMULUS lupulus. The hop belongs to that comparatively rare description of plants, which, like ani- mals, have the sexual organs separate, and on distinct individuals; each being male or female. The cuLTIVATED nor is the female plant. The male hon bears stamina, only; and is, of course, incapable of producing fruit, or seeds. It is, however, provincially, but im- properly, called the“‘sErp Hop.” A naturalist might aptly inquire, whe- ther the male hop is not requisite to the fecundity, and fruitfulness, of the female plants; and expect to find individuals dis- tributed over the grounds, for the purpose of impregnation. A hop planter, however, has.no such apprehensions. His only care, respecting seed hops, is to rid his ground of them, as the worst weeds in his garden. Nevertheless, with all his attention, there are few grounds, I understand, entirely free from them. It is observed, that, where the picking bins have stood, seedling hops are seen to rise: a circumstance which evi- 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. Ly ws dences the presence of male plants, either in the grounds, or in the hedges that sur- round them. The blowing of the male hop, in the cul- tivated grounds, being nearly over, before I had an opportunity of examining them, and had disappeared before I was struck with the propriety of doing it, Iam the less able to speak to this particular. Never- theless, zu the hedges, I saw male hops, in blow, so late as the eighteenth of August. And the impregnation may, in part at least, be communicated, by early blowing wild hops. For it seems improbable, that the old grounds, which have been solicitously examined, from time to time, with a view to the extirpation of the male hop, should, after fifty years attention perhaps, still have even a plant left. It would be an impropriety, however, in registering the practice, and the received opinions, of professional men, to suppress an idea, which I received from the largest and most successful hop planter, the Island ever knew, respecting this interesting sub- ject; namely, that cultivated, or female hops, are liable to change, into seed hops, or males. ——— ee a a a a a 176 HOPS. ab. He is at least positive, that hills which bear “hops,” one year, produce“ seed hops, the next. It will, however, be seen, that, in planting a hop ground, three or five dis- tinct cuttings, or sets, are inserted in each hill; and admitting, that part of the‘cut- tings were taken from a male plant, and that the trained vines were, last year, taken from the female shoots, this year, from those of the males, the change is accounted for. Butthis theory may be objectionable. I therefore think it right to bring the idea before the public. For, if the change insisted on, really takes place, it is a fact in natural history, which has not, I believe, been no- ticed. The question is not, whether a female plant becomes male; but whether the same root may not, one year, send up female, the next, one or more male vines. That it is not commonly done, is evident, from the infrequency of male vines appearing among cultivated hops. Nevertheless, it may be- long to the nature of diecious plants, whose roots are perennial and stems annual, to do it occasionally. Indeed, it is perfectly con- sonant, with that wisdom, with which the continuation of the species of every plant ant 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 194 and animal is cautiously guarded, that such a power should reside, in plants of that description. And whether it does or does not reside, in the hop, may be ascertained, es any man of observation, who resides 1a district, in which they are cultivated. That the presence of the male hop, is not essential to the pRopucTIVENEss of the female plants, is strongly evidenced, by the common practice, of all attentive managers; who carefully mark them, in the blowi ing season, grub them up the ensuing winter, and replace them with female Slants This, however, is only evidence, not proof. And it is possible that the loss of the crop may, sometimes, be owing to a want of impreg- nation: not so feel, perhaps, through a. want of male plants, as of a favorable atmosphere, to conv ey the fecundating prin- ciple. I have never observed a w ell ma- tured, marketable hop, which did not con- tain, fullbodied, polished seed, Wearing every appearance of fecundity; and whe- ther they are, or are not, fecundite is casi] to be ascertained, by those who have an opportunity of collecting them, before they have passed the drying eal VOL; I, N aay| 178 HOPS. 26. The FEMALE HOP 1s described, by LINNEus, as having a general involucrum, of one leaf, with four clefts, and with partial invo- lucra, of four leaves, inclosing eight florets; each floret consisting of a single leaf, or calyx: without either blossom, or seed- vessel; the germ being seated at the base of the calyx, which afterwards infolds the seed. This description nearly agrees with that of the CULTIVATED HOP; except that the florets are placed, by fours, alternately, on a winding spike; with an involucral leaf, to each rank of florets: such leaf, or partial guard, not unfrequently taking a monstrous Or unnatural form; shooting out beyond the natural calyxes, in the character of a leaf, resembling the ordi- nary rough leaves of the plant; but more pointed. The structure, and natural habitudes of the plant at large, are too generally known to require a minute description. Never- theless, to prepare the reader, who may not have closely examined it, for the following remarks on its culture, it will be proper to mention, here, its general economy, and leading characters. A—— ee ae me a 26, 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 179 Us, The Root is large, and PERENNIAL; strik- one ing downward to a great depth, in substrata i it affects: it is said to have been traced, in ts: the open calcareous undersoils of this dis- . trict, to the depth of fourteen feet. si The stem, on the contrary, is ANNUAL. rer Its structure is that of the vine: requiring an support; which, in a state of nature, it int finds, in the trees and shrubs, that happen im to stand near the place of its emersion. In ah a favorable situation, it wil] climb to twenty, is thirty, or more feet in height. In a state of culture, some of the vines, if measured to a the extremity of the tendrils, or slender Ne branches, which hang from the tops of the a i poles, and wave in the intervals, would ry measure near thirty feet. The stem, as it ord rises, throws out lateral branches, which nt bear leaves and fruit. The Fruit, which is described above, is es 0 chiefly produced, in large branches; which pow resemble those of the grape vine; but are evel" looser; consisting of a number of small y ng! bunches, connected by slender branchlets: wing with a few leaves, similar to those of the er t branches but smaller, interspersed among and them. In a productive season, the prin- cipal part of the hops are produced, in . N 2 180 He. PS. 26, bunches of this description; with which the stems and leaves, of cultivated hops, are nearly covered; especially about the heads of the poles, where they have the full benefit of the airand sun. But there are inferior bunches, consisting of a few heads, or hops, like the branchlets of the larger bunches; and many single hops are produced, on the interior parts of the lateral branches; the larger bunches being generally formed to- wards their extremities. The first appearance, of the RUDIMENTS of the fruit, is in small rough globules, or knobs—provincially“ burs;'’—on which the female organs appear, conspicuously. In the year ninety, this state of the hop took place, the latter end of July, and the beginning of August. The rudiments having remained, in this state, long enough to undergo the impreg- nation, which, in a state of nature, they doubtless receive, the involucra enlarge, and the calyxes are protruded, so as to render them conspicuous, at sight. This palpable change is called“ turning into hepsi a stage of growth which took place, that year, towards the middle of August. > 2 26. DISTRICT] OF MAIDSTONE. 181 The cotor of the hop, in the earlier stages of its growth, is a delicate pale green, which, as the hop matures, changes to a faint yellow, or straw color; provided it is not overtaken by blight, or other disease: when it is, the desirable bright yellowness gives place, to a dusky brown, or some- times reddish color; which will more fully be shown, in speaking of the DisEasEs of hops. The spikes or heads of hops, when they approach maturity, are of a somewhat oval shape; but, when fully ripe, take rather a square, or long-cube form. The length one to two inches; the thickness one inch; more or less, according to the season, the soil, and the variety in cultivation. The interidr parts of the spikes are beset, with innumerable small, gold-colored glands, or minute bladders or vesicles, filled with a viscous matter, of the same color.‘In this, which is probably an essential oil, the clam- miness and flavor of the hop evidently re- side. In the language of hop growers, it is called“* CONDITION:” and hops possessing this quality, in a superior degree, are said to be“ full of condition:” which is one“of i \ J 4 182 BReOAP}S: 26. their best recommendations, at market. In a season favorable to hops, the undersides of the finer leaves, which grow among the bunches, and even of the larger stem leaves, are more.or less furnished with this viscid matter. The seep is inveloped, in 2 coat, roughly puckered, and richly embellished with the golden particles just mentioned. On its first formation, it contains a transparent uid, which afterward becomes a milky li- quor; finally changing to a spiral grain, of a singular form, and as smooth, white, and apparently as firm, as polished ivory. The VARIETIES of the hop, which are now found in cultivation, here, have either been imported with the art of cultivating them(supposing the English culture to be of foreign growth;) or have been culled from the native or wild hop, as bitterness and flavor directed; or have been raised, by art, from the seeds of the wild, or the cultivated kinds, and improved by further cultivation; or have been selected from hops in a state of culture, by propagating from particular hills, of superior quality and pro- ductiveness, marked by attentive managers; 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 183 especially, perhaps, in an unproductive season. In West KEnrT, there are several varieties, in cultivation. The“ CANTERBURY” is the favorite sort, and is the most cultivated: it is a“ white-bine’* hop, of the middle size. The“ GoLp1nc”’ has, of late years, been in high repute. It is a sub-variety,| under- stand, of the Canterbury; which was raised by a man still living(1790) Mr. GoLpiNe, of the Malling quarter of the district; who observing, in his grounds, a hill of extraor- dinary quality and productiveness, marked it, propagated from it, and furnished his neighbours with cuttings, from its produce. The“ FLEMISH RED-BINE’ is an early ri- pening hop, and of a large size; but is de- ficient in“ condition.’ The“ LATE-RIPE RED-BINE’ is also large, but is likewise weak: ‘¢ RUFFLERS,‘* APPLE aed ‘a mere wild hop. *< Bing”(probably a corruption of Bind) is the provincial term for the stem of the hop; and likewise for the plant, collectively, except the fruit, or‘* hops.” It is perfectly analogous with VINE; when applied ge- nerally to climbing plants; as white vine, black vine, wild vine, grape vine, hop vine. 184 E-O PS: 26. PUDDINGS,&c.&c. are inferior sorts; and are chiefly cultivated in the Weald. Remark. It appears to be advisable, in. raising FRESH VARIETIES, to revert to the seed, either of the wild, or the cultivated kind. The varieties of hops, which are pro- pagated by cuttings; as those of apples, or other fruits, that are prolonged by budding, or grafling; and of roots that are continued by slips, as the potatoe; have, doubtless, their durations given; and their declines may, sooner or later, be expected. And may not some of the fatal diseases, to which hops are liable, be occasioned by the DECLINE OF VARIETIES? See YORKSHIRE, GLOCES- TERSHIRE, and the MIDLAND CounTIEs, on this subject. SITES of hop grounds. In the choice of situations, for hop gardens, the LAND ap- pears to have been the chief object. In regard to LOCALITY; though we fre- quently see hop grounds about villages, and farm houses; yet this circumstance, perhaps, has rather been occasioned, by the habitations having been previously situated, on good hop ground, than by any particular reason for having hop grounds, near habitations. 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE: i8¢ And many of the larger plantations are away from inhabited buildings. Aspect, in like manner, appears to have had little weight, in the choice of hop grounds, which are seen to face every quar- ter; and this, perhaps, with little influence on their productiveness. In 1790, I no- ticed, particularly, those which dipped to- ward the east; but without perceiving any benefit, or disadvantage, arising from their having that aspect. On the contrary, one of the best, and one of the worst crops, I observed, grew on lands inclining to that quarter. Nevertheless, something may, in a course of years, depend on aspect: a mat- ter which might be ascertained, by annual observations, accurately registered. The LANDS, employed in the hop cul- ture, are various, almost, as those of the dis- trict. The main bulk of the produce, how- ever, is drawn from the richer lands; from coos, and the deeper stronger LOAMs, on rock; or from the rich sILTy soILs, in the Tunbridge quarter. Nevertheless, hops are seen growing, on the sheer sandy lands of Berstead, and on the cool thin soils of the 186 HOPS. 26. southern margin; though least frequently on the last. In the Weald, however, cool lands are cropped with hops; but the top soils of the Weald lands are of a deeper staple, and a more fertile nature, than those of the Langley quarter of the District of Maidstone. On the banks of the Snodland brook, in the Aylesford quarter, they are grown on beds of black moory earth; as in the Nottinghamshire practice. From the whole of the information col- lected, in this part of Kent, it is evident, that, to unite the three desirable properties, belonging to the produce of a hop ground, namely, quantity, quality, and duration, not only a DEEP RICH SOIL, but an ABSORBENT, CALCAREOUS BASE, are essential: as will be more fully shown, in speaking of their pu- RATION. SUCCESSION. The state of the land, which is here deemed the most desireable for the culture of hops, is that of swarp, old turf, or what is termed FRESH GROUND. This, however, even were it to be had, in the district under view, is attended with a serious inconveniency; especially on light ¥ i, 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 18% land; in which the sopwor, to be parti- v0 cularly noticed hereafter, is frequently found op an inveterate enemy to young hops. er A CLOVER LEY is frequently chosen, for se the purpose; and, if clean, is perhaps the of ff most eligible, where the soil is strong. nd A FOUL WHEAT STUBBLE, though most re improper, is not unfrequently, I understand, in made the nursery of young hops. In one instance, I observed a cLEAN, J. HORSE-HOED, BEAN GRATTAN, under the t, process of planting with hops. And a more S, suitable subject, perhaps, cannot be chosen, d, where the sodworm is suspected; except 10 an EIGHTEEN MONTHS FALLOW. NT, The intervals, of lands which are planted be with hops, while in a state of foulness, are = easily cleaned, But the hills are not, after the hops have got root in them. nd, PREPARATION of the SOIL. With ble respect to TILLAGE, the ground, whether in aD, a state of sward or stubble, is usually broken, ia by one or more plowings, of a full depth. n In the practice of some few superior ma- - nagers, the soil is trench-plowed. But in: “ht no instance, that my observations or in- z) quiries reached, has double=digging been —— a ee 188 HO PS. 26. practised. Indeed, the hillsteads being usu~ ally dug, to a full depth, previously to the planting, and the intervals afterward, the expence of a general double digging is the less requisite; though it would undoubtedly expedite, and render more easy, the work of rearing the plants, and add to the productive- ness of the intervals, during the infant state ofthe crops. And, where thebase isretentive, a deep double digging seems to be essential to good management; as tending to render it, in a degree, absorbent; and providing for the roots of the plants, a freer range, and a more extensive field of pasturage. In giving ForM to the surrace of land, intended for hops, one and the same practice prevails, throughout West Kent; no mat- ter as to the soil or subsoil. Whether the base is absorbent or retentive, the surface is invariably laid flat! without ridges to shoot off, or furrows to collect and carry away, the superfluous water which falls on them. Even in the Weald of Kent, I observed no deviation from this practice. The reason of its prevailing, however, is not difficult to assign. It originated on absorbent lands,— on loam, on rock,—and when the culture of econ. oa—— SS a olay a§ 26, DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 189 hops was extended, to more retentive soils, the beaten track was followed, The mischiefs, however, of thus general- izing the practice, are evident; even on the deeper stronger lands in the neighbourhood of Maidstone; where, in 1790, an instance, sufficiently evidencing this assertion, fell under my own inspection. The lower side of a large hop ground, in East FARLEY, (celebrated for its hop gardens) had almost wholly failed, the poles being in a manner bare; while the upper parts, of the same field, bore a full crop. On examining the ‘part which had miscarried, the soil appeared evidently, to have been reduced, by heavy rains, to a state of mortar. The surface, en- crusted by succeeding dry weather, was over-= grown with moss; and the tender fibrils of the roots, which ought to have sent up nou- rishment, to mature the crop, but which had been suffocated in a bed of mud, were fast bound, in a mass of cement. In WorcESTERSHIRE, where the principal part of the lands, on which hops are culti- vated, have retentive bases, the established practice(when the soil is not collected by hand, into large hillocks or“ tumps,’’) is to 190 EUOxPs8; 26. gather it into gently rising beds, with the plow; and, in doing this, to form an inter- furrow, in the middle of each interval, or Space between the rows, to prevent a re- dundancy of surface water.* The PLANTs, or sETs, employed in the propagation of hops, are of two kinds: ““ NAKED SETS, and‘“. ROOTED PLANTS.” The first are recent cuttings, taken from the lower parts of the stems of grown plants; the latter are the same kind of cuttings, fur- nished with fibers and top shoots; by hav- ing been“ bedded,” ina nursery ground, or vacant interval, long enough for that pur- pose. The curtines are taken off, close to the crown of the root, and are cut about four inches long; each having three or four eyes, or buds. The RooTED PLANTS are taken, in the same manner, and are planted, or laid in, nursery-wise, as seedling quicksets fre- quently are; remaining in the beds, until * I have been informed, that something of this sort is.done, in some parts of the Weald of Kent; but it did not fall under my notice. ————— 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 19 October or November following, or the ensuing spring, or perhaps until the autumn afterward. Prudent managers keep a suc- cession of bedded sets; to fill up, with greater facility, the vacancies that may hap- pen in their grounds; these rooted plants arriving at the state of fruitfulness, sooner, by one year at least, than recent cuttings. PLANTING. The TIME OF PLANTING cutlings 1s usually that of“ dressing the plants;”’(an operation that will be de- scribed in its place) namely, the month of March, when all cuttings are taken. But rooted sets are more generally planted, in autumn; as the latter end of October, or the beginning of November. SETTING OUT THE PLANTATION is the first step towards planting. And, in doing this, two things are to be considered: the disposition and the distance. The disposition is either in‘“ squares’— that is, in straight lines crossing each other at right angle; or in“triangles;” namely, aquincunx, or in rows which cross each other, obliquely, or fretwise. The former may be said to be the prevailing method; but the latter is not unfrequently seen. | 1) i al { {i i ; 1] ly 4 } ai, | 11 | ,: | fi My i Ai We : Nie ay li = cl tai=: BE. ee gga OE and Bos(IRE ae ES ge 192 FLO P'S. 26. The distance varies greatly; owing, In part perhaps, to the circumstance of soil, situation, and plants; but more, probably, to the judgment, or education, of the planter. From six feet, aquincunx, or fretwise, to eight feet and a half, square, includes the ordinary distances. A medium distance, and that which is the most pre- valent, is about six feet and a half,(namely ten links of a Jand chain) square; or Ge thousand hills to the acre.’ The distance, in ordinary conversation, being conveyed by the number. For powerful land—for coomb on rock| —a thousand hills, an acre, may be the most eligible number: it is probably a re- sult of long ,experience, on such land; on which, doubtless, the present practice ori- ginated. But I met with abundant evi- dence, to show, that, for weaker lands, at least, the number is much too great; as will appear, in pursuing the subject. The METHOD OF PLANTING js twofold. The cuttings are either dibbled into the ordinary surface mold, or pits are dug, as for planting trees, ot shrubs. The latter is entitled to description. i oT ioe agente NUS SRR CMR SS an neon 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 193 In an. instance, to, which I particularly attended, the business was conducted in the following manner. The intended sites of the hills were set out, by means of a cord, and feathers inserted at equal distances, and were marked with the stems of reeds, cut about two feet long. These, being of a pale bright color, are easily seen, at a distance, and are light to carry. Rods of the young shoots of elder, whose bark being light- colored, are likewise used for. this purpose. In this case, the. hillsteads were set out (with great exactness) in“ triangles,” with the rows about six feet. asunder; the num- -ber being«eleven hundred to the acre.” The soil and subsoil of the first quality: rich coomb on rock; flakes of the latter being raised, in sinking some of the pits: _and the situation equally good: open to the air, and inclining to the sun. The Pits, in this case, were sunk, from fourteen to eighteen inches deep, and of si- milar dimensions, in regard to width; being, when finished, nearly of the cube-form. Three workmen. dug the pits; and a fourth followed, to break the clods, mix the upper and under strata together, and return VOL. I. O Sere agaas Sse ag i) fi ie ar ee=—s a- 194. he HO BS. a6. them immediately to the pits. The whole, from the surface down to the rock, a rich fine mold! The hillsteads being thus prepared, and the marking reeds returned to the centers of the pits, and placed with the same exact- ness as at first, the. planter followed, and closed the operation. The time of planting’ was, in this case, the last week in October; the plants’ being bedded sets, whose réots and tops had been previously pruned, or shortened, to about an inch in length. The center of the hillstead being mould- ed, with’ the hands,' into a small dish or bason; its bottom dipping four or five inches below the general level of the soil; three plants were let down, their whole length, and four or five inches asunder, with: a common garden dibble; their crowns,‘or| heads, forming a triangle, at the bottom of the bason: their roots, or lower ends, di- verging every way> the dibble being in- serted obliquely; namely, about the mid- way between vertical and horizontal. This method ofinserting the plants is in- variably observed’; and with good reason. a:: 6 26.| DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 195 ide By the leaning’ posture of the plants, the ‘rich shoots from the crowns tend to a. point, uniting as the shoots of one plant: thus and giving freedom to the hoe, and tending to iter's prevent the vines from,rambling: While, act- by this judicious position, the shoots. from and the roots‘are induced’ to spread, in different directions; and thus to furnish the soil with , the an equal distribution of fibers; at least, in eing the more early stages of growth. been In the case under notice, the heads of the bout plants were: covered, by hand; with fine mold, spread lightly over them, about an uld- inch thick. And, finally, the reeds, were hy or stuck, firmly, into the-sides of the~basons, ches and leaning over the plants; by way of ehree marks, to prevent them from being disturb- ngth, ed, before their roots could be established. ith a The VARIATIONS OF PRACTICE,,in, the 5,01 operation of PLANTING, which particularly ch of noticed, are these:: ig di Where the soil is weak, or the subsoil of ii an inferior quality, compost, of) dung and vid earth, is usually mixed with the! excavated, mold, before it be returned to the}pits. ‘fi In one: case, the direction of the rows was Ath intentionally meridional: in order that each | Og os EE OD LEE 9 ET a | ‘a A i |e 7. yy, Ey 1 “\ 2)‘ f| 1 | l 5. | - ea ae ~— EEE ee% 196 HOPS. 26. side of the plants may enjoy an equal dis- tribution of sun. In general, the rows run parallel with the straightest side of the field. The depth, at which the cuttings are lodged, is, by judicious managers, regulated by the nature of the land: over retentive subsoils, the plants are put in, nearly level with the surface of the soil. The number of plants to each hill, also varies: of recent cuttings, five are commonly inserted: one in the center, upright, the other four inclining; their heads forming the quincunx: those of the four outermost standing seven or eight inches from each other. On light lands, and; generally, when the sodworm is much apprehended, the crowns of the plants are often left uncovered. TRAINING YOUNG HOPS. The practice of pruning up the hedges of hop- grounds to a great height, by way of SKREENS; to defend the crop, appears to be of an old date, in this part of Kent. Haw- thorn hedges, some of them evidently of great age, are seeil, in different parts of the Maidstone District, rising from twenty to 4 \ et ae~-~ ee—— 6, 26..OF MAIDSTONE. 199 tis thirty feet high.- Their sides, having been pull kept pruned, are become thick mats of the twigs; affording perfect shelter to the, plants that rise near them. pare The use of these skreens being known, or ated believed, the first care, on planting a new itive ground, is that of training up skreens to level protect it. In 1790, the Lombardy poplar appeared to be coming into use, for skreens.| also They run up quickly; but, unless planted only very close, they do not readily give the de- the sired shelter, near the ground. The com- ning mon spreading black poplar makes a much nost better skreen. each The inTERVALS of young hopgrounds are, under the ordinary management of the an the country, kept perfectly clean(that is to rowns say, free from weeds) during the summer months; generally by cropping them, with The beans, potatoes, or other garden plants. hop: Two lines of garden beans, between the ay af rows, and potatoes, between the bills, are sto be not uncommon. Haw- The vines. The first year’s treatment ly of depends on theirstrength. The weak shoots, of the trom naked cuttings, are generally wound ty 12 round a short stick, thrust into the center of the hill; to prevent their rambling over ee Ee ere- ne niin, ee eo 198 y Ted DO RS. 26.“i * the intervals. If stronger; a rod, four or“ .:' five feet high, is set up,-and the vines are. |_ suffered to climb. The vigorous‘shoots, from rooted plants, have’ sometimes short} poles allowed them; such vines, in) some cases, bearing a few hops, the first year. a The. second year, they:are poled, accord= : ingly. to their strength, giving themprefuse q poles, of eight to ten or twelve’ feet: high. This, is called“ the firstsyear of poling.” The third year, they:areexpected to bear d a moderate crop of hops; andare allowed,( in this asinall other cases, poles of a height, x best adapted to their expected strength.\ THE ENEMIES OF! YouNG. Hops.© Their} greatest enemy is the sodworm; especially| on light lands; and most. especially: when| such land: has remainéd.in-a:state of grass. An instance fell under my..notice,:im which youlig hops were, under these circumstances, é i so: much hurt, by. thesemischievous reptiles,| i t as. to require; to be entirely: fresh planted.|( ti On strong coomby lands, their mischiefs are| less. felt. They are'directed, principally or Neopet: wholly,'to.the crowns:of the roots.| But young hops, as well as those of ma- pd ture growth, are’liable toa variety of in-| 4 juries: Lhe flea,” or small, brown‘beetle ee- EE 16, 26.| DISTRICT.OF MAIDSTONE. 199 UY oF(CRYSOMELA nemorum) takes them, as they eS are emerge... The‘‘sheerwimged fly,” and. its hots,«< louse,’(of the apuis tribe) attack them, short in June.; The“ fire, blast,” in summer; the some«mould, generally-in, August;/and the sod- r. worm, from Midsummer to Michaelmas. cord= Sopworms. In the practice of a superior -efuse manager, and the Jargest planter.im the high, district, the-late Mr. AmBrose MgrceEr of g.” Tudely, in the Tunbridge quarter, I found bear an ingenious. device made use of, to take wed, these destructive vermin;—the pest of the ight, southern‘counties._}inding them. partial : to the roots of the PoTATOE, he placed them, Their in the intervals of his. young hopgrounds, cially by way of TRapPs; employing, women and when childrén, to collect the vermin,‘ which were orass, found. feeding on them,.in numbers.; ,and which this done, to reset the traps—by burying, ances again.and again, the remains of.the pota- tiles toes.' In the summer of 1790(in the autumn ante of which I was. favored with\a view of his fate farm) Mr. Mercer employed twenty or ly 0 thirty hands, for some time, in this business. The, facts being well. established, that ant potatoes.are a,favorite..food of sodworms, sii and that they are capable of drawing them beetle 200 HOPS. 26. away from the roots of hops, it aptly enough occurs, that, by cultivating potatoes in the intervals of hopgrounds, the injury to the plants might be avoided; at least in some degree; and this appears to be a prevail- ing idea, among the hop-growers of West Kent. It remains to be proved, however, whe- ther potatoes, alone, satisfy the cravings of the sodworm, or whether, when it is satiated with these, it returns to the roots of the hop. If this be the case, indeed in any case, using potatoes, as traps, and growing them as a crop, in the intervals of hop- erounds, are widely different. By one of these practices, part of the vermin are, with certainty, destroyed, and‘their numbers of course diminished:‘by the other, they are fed—perhaps nursed—and their numbers, with‘almost equal certainty, imcreased. How liable are those, who tread incautious- ly, in the field of agriculture, to be led into the darkest labyrinths of error. Nevertheless, in the particular under no~ tice, if, by cultivating potatoes, in the inter- vals of young. hops, year after year, they can be preserved from injury, until they 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 20% have gained sufficient strength, to set the sodworms at defiance, the expedient would be good; though, perhaps, untried.* Another expedient, which aptly presents . itself, in considering this subject, and seeing the narrow compass within which the ob- ject of injury lies, is that of a preventive application to the part endangered. And, in pursuance of this obvious idea, different applications have been tried. Lime has been thrown plentifully into the excavation of the opened hill; but without the desired effect. Even soot, a more likely antidote, has been applied, in a similar way, and with the same want of effect. J Nevertheless, though soot or lime will not prevent their mischiefs, some other application may, and it behoves those who are interested, to try every expedient. Mr. Mercer found that summer-fallowing, previously to the plant- ing, checked them, considerably; and a com- pleat fallow, as| have already suggested, will perhaps be found the most effectual preventive. See page 95. * * The turnep, 1 was told by an observant manager, is likewise acceptable to the SODWORM. ld 202 ri Hi ,Or7PsS. 26. al The apuis and. the, mouLp; being most injurious to aged. hops, will be spoken of, under the heads.of. management, to which they most properly belong.) MANURES.'...Ehe species of manures are dung; which, for. hops, is chiefly, or wholly, made into, compost, with mold, mud, chalk, lime,&c;, in the manner described aforegoing. Woolen rags have, of late years at least; beena favorite, and are found to be: a powerful, manure for hops, Chalk is sometimes sétion, alone: also lime.; but not frequently, I believe, in. the Maidstone quarter.. Pond mud has lately been much valued, as a. manure, for|this crop: and this, without much, if any, discrimination, as to its. composition or quality! The qualities of punG, however, are much attended to, here: That made from oil cake© is in high estimation. WooLEN RAGS are brought,.by water, from»London, in large netted bundles. ‘They are sold by weight... The‘price, in 1790, was about five pounds a ton. Lime has been found of particular-efh- eacy, on, the absorbent, but non-calcareous, soils of the Tunbridge. quarter. It has, z a, 26.-OF‘MAIDSTONE. 203 i. however, been blamed for encouraging the hich disease of mould 5 and has' been given up, by men who used it on a large scale, mere- ly on this‘account. But woolen rags,‘if me freely used, are’charged with the same crime: i] The effects of both are probably one‘and wi the same; namely that of producing too great a luxuriance of growth,‘in the vines. ears The WINTER) MANAGEMENT of | to grown hops.’ The first operation is’ MA- alk NURING: the time of which commences, as Dut soon as the ground is cleared from the vines ne of the preceding year, and the‘poles are set ich‘up, in piles or’ stacks;‘and continues, more Nis, or less, throughout winter. s to There are two widely different methods of manuring, in use. The long established nuch practice is to°set on the compost, in small cake hillocks, before Christmas; and to spread it evenly over‘the surface; thus giving every ater part of the’soil an equal portion. In this idles, case, the compost‘is: used dn a cruder, less ce, I digested, rougher state, than it is, in‘the modern practice; in which the ills, only, effi- are manured. SOUS; In manuring the hills there are also two has, distinct methods, in use.‘In one of them, _= oo ies at ei‘ et. Avi ae———— = nis eS aaa E a EL Se a—; a paren See% 204. HOPS. 26. the compost having been set about the ground, presently after the poles are stacked, the tops of the hills are made flat, by strik- ing off part of the mold, and a shovel full or two of manure cast on each. This is termed“ capping the hills.” In the other, the compost is shot down, in large load heaps, and the hills having been laid open, a basket full of manure is thrown into each excavation, by women. Thus, in either case, applying the whole of the manure to the hills. A practice which appears to be self-evidently wrong; unless as.an expedient, in particular cases: and as such, the following variety of practice, which fell under my observation, may de- serve to be particularized. In this instance, the compost was set on, in, small load heaps. The quantity was sixteen loads of compost, containing five or six small loads of dung, an acre. The hills were opened, by men, with“hop spuds’— three tined forks—and the mold, which was dug out, scattered over the intervals. The bottoms of the vines, if long, being cut off with sickles, and; the stumps. of the poles, if any, taken up, the end of a hoe was run o6 DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 205 round the crown of the roots, leaving a ring or channel; and nearly, but not entirely, exposing the roots. This done, the hole er dish thus formed, was filled up, nearly level, with compost, fetched from the heaps on shovels: the crowns and upper parts of the roots being, in this manner wholly en- veloped by the manure. The quantity of compost, usually set on, in the old way, is about forty loads an acre, every third year; or fourteen or fifteen, every year. In one instance, and that well authenticated, twenty loads were set on an- nually. Whereas, in the new way, not more than half the quantity is used. REMARKS ON MANURING THE HILLS, ONLY. This method of expending the manure is well calculated to push on the plants, in the spring; and to get them out of the way of the beetle, and perhaps other enemies of that season; but appears to be ill adapted to the maturation of the crop. And it is not the quantity of vine, but the burden of hops, which rewards the planter’s toil. Nevertheless, where the intervals are too rich, for the purpose of maturing the crop, as in many cases they probably are, 206‘HOPS. 26. the modern method of applying the manure appears to be most judicious; as it gives a degree of certainty of vine, and does not add to the over richness of the intervals.| But this being corrected, or done away, by suc cessive crops, the new practice cannot, in reason, be continued with propriety. These reflections would seem to account for’ the rise and present decline(1790) of the mo- dern practice; and to show in what cases it may, or may not, be beneficial.* To convey a more accurate idea, than has yet been done, of the quantity of dung expended on hopgrounds(a subject which has alarmed all the land proprietors in the kingdom, except those who live in the hop-growing districts.) Twill copy, from my Journal, the following remarks. “ October 27. Mr.———— is manuring a hopground, with well digested compost, to be spread over the whole ground, in the old way. The quantity set on is exactly fortyfour sizgle borse cart\oads, an acre. * In 1797, I. found. that, a new, method had been adopted: instead of applying the whole of, the manure to the hills, it is scattered round their outskirts. This is creeping back to the old way. 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE.— 209 Supposing: each loadlet to be half a:mo- derate cart: load; and that the compost jis half of it mold, the quantity of dung is ten to twelve loads, an acre; and this the over- seer of the ground lays it at. Hence the mystery about manure’is cleared up. Ten or twelve loads of dung, every three or four years! not more than is usually allowed for ordinary arable crops; and even this, per- haps, more than is requisite. If the straw (the stems, branches, and leaves) of hops, as that of grain, were digested, and returned to the ground, in the form of manure, I cannot see how’ the exhaustion, by hops, should: be more, or even so much, as by beans, wheat, and clover.’’! In manuring with RaGs, they were, in 1790, mostly spread over the whole surface; but not invariably. They are chiefly, I believe, scattered or Sown, by hand; being previously chopped, into small pieces,’ that they may be distributed the’ more‘evenly. The quantity, spread on each acre, is about a ton, every third year. DIGGING THE INTERVALS. The‘time, when this work is usually set about, is the latter end‘of December, or the berinning of 208 HOPS. 26. January; or, if the entire ground be ma- nured, when the compost is ready to be dug in. This operation is usually performed with ‘‘ spuds,” or three tined forks, of a valuable construction; well adapted to this and other purposes. The length of the tines is twelve or thirteen inches. The width, from out to out, nine or ten inches. The points are made thin and sharp, to be entered with greater ease; but flat and broad, to raise up the soil the better. And, to unite strength and lightness, in the upper parts of them, they are made thin and deep, or vertically flat; whereas the points are flat, horizon- tally. To prevent the workman from stoop- ing, unnecessarily, as well as to make the tool hang more steadily in his hand, it has a sharp bend in the neck, between the tines and the socket. Altogether, a strong, light, agreeable tool to work with. In stoney or strong land, it is greatly preferable to the spade; and, even in a free soil, the la~ bor is less, and the: effect, in breaking the ground, much greater, than in an ordinary digging. With this tool, the soil is broken up, 14,: 26..OF MAIDSTONE. 209 . seven, or more inches deep; it being ustially entered, the whole length or depth-of the tines, but obliquely forward;_ especially ue when manure is dug under; for, by this o means, it is the more compleatly lodged, la near the middle of the soil. lve In an instance, particularly observed and ot minuted,—* six men, in two sets, of three a each, were digging a young hopground: with each man taking his interval; and digging,| 7 Up on either hand, close up to the roots of the gth plants. The soil is full of stones, and could mt not be dug with spades, so as to make either lly good work or dispatch. For these“ stone- Ol\-“shatter” lands, the spuds were probably con- 0p trived: They are entered, in a shelving the direction; so that, although they are pressed t has(mostly with the toe)'to the hilts, the depth tines of soil broken up is not more than six ght, inches. It is raised in irregular fragments, ney of a size much larger than ordinary spits, le to or spadefuls. The price for digging, in e ae this case,(no manure) is only ten shillings the anacre! or“a shilling for a hundred hills;” lary which one of them is hard Set to finish, in a day; though they work like coal heavers. up, But they are recompenced, for these hard earnings, in other works.” MEOLS I. E 210 HO Ps: 26. The ENEMIES of hops, in wiINTER, I; understand, are few, or none; except a a redundancy of wet; which, in absorbent 5 ‘a Jands, seldom takes place; and which, in 1 a retentive ones, may be avoided, with cer- i tainty; by keeping them in beds, with fur- a 1. rows, to carry off the water. i i POLES. The sPEeciEs oF woops, in use, f for hop poles, are various. Formerly, they| depended much on the natural growth of| the coppice woods of the country. But, of late i years, as has beenalready particularly noticed, 0 it has been the practice to make plantations, b for the especial purpose of hop poles. 0 What appears to be requisite, in. this| place, is to set down the different species,|| now in use; accordingly to their degrees , of estimation: and I believe the following| 3 arrangement may be considered, as the pre- | vailing idea, respecting their precedency.( a The chesnut, The maple, Pie The ash; The oak, ¢ 1 The sallow,’ The horn beam,> ' The red willow, The beech.| to The birch,°{ at In the conversation of a judicious, grave, and intelligent manager, I was led to the idea, that hops(and perhaps other climbing Con 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 21% plants) have a choice—have their likings and antipathies—with respect to different species of woods, as supporters; and that they prefer a rough soft bark, to one which is more smooth and polished. He parti- cularized the maple, whose bark is pecu- liarly“soft and warm;” adding, that he has frequently observed, when the morning has been cold, the sensitive leader of a ten- der, fresh-poled vine, reclining its head against the velvet bark of the maple, while others held their’s aloof, from chilly ,smooth- barked poles. Thisis probably a general law, or ordinance of nature, to climbing plants; and may be essential to their preservation; showing, ina palpable manner, the percep- tion, and strength, of VEGETABLE INSTINCT.* The sizE OF THE POLE. Hops, likewise, it is well known, have their instinctive choice, or approbation, with respect to the thickness of their support; embracing, with greater readiness, a pole that is moderately small, than one which is.thick at the bot- tom. The ordinary circumference of poles, at the thickest end, may be set down at six * Not vegetable intellect,‘as some have fancifully conceived. ‘Po 212 EE OVP ss, 26, to nine inches; tapering, to the size of a walking cane, at the top. The length runs from fifteen to twenty feet, or upwards; I have measured new poles of twentytwo feet in length. Different grounds require different. lengths of pole. In the rich grounds, in the neighbourhood of Maidstone, the poles of grown hops stand, in general, from fourteen to sixteen feet, above the hills, and have from eighteen inches to two feet, beneath the surface. But, on weaker lands, poles are not seen to rise more than ten to twelve feet high. Hence, a variety of ground is convenient; as the poles, by decaying at the roots, grow shorter, and, in a course of years, get too short, for strong vines, on rich land. Yet I met with no instance, in which they are, in this case, sold and transferred to less productive lands, and vines of humbler growth. The price oF PoLEs, in the district of Maidstone, varied, in 1790, from fourteen to forty shillings, a hundred; according to size and quality: they being usually divided into three sorts;—firsts, seconds, and thirds. In 1797, the price had fallen; prime poles being then thirty shillings. 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 213 Ka New poles are sometimes BARKED; have the bark shaved off; under an idea that it nty saves them from the worm; while some leW men are of opinion, that there is a warmth ent in the bark, which is acceptable to the le, young vines: and although, in two or three od years, the bark drop off, the surface of the Ops wood has, by that. time, acquired a degree een of softness. Admitting that a hard, smooth, eell polished pole is unfriendly to the hop, to ut, peel the poles would evidently be improper. Ise PoINTING THE POLES. Short light poles ce,: are usually pointed, in hand, without other the support. But, a tall heavy pole, requires ter, something to keep the top steady. This is for simply had, by tying together three poles with of equal length, two or three feet from their case, tops; and setting them up, in the form of ands, what are called triangles; in use for loading F timber, on wheel carriages. The top of the ct of pole, to be sharpened, being dropped in wrteel between the points or horns of the triangles, np( receives the required stay; a block being vided placed in a convenient situation, below, to hinds. work upon.: poles The pointing, whether of new or of old poles, is sometimes done, before they are 214 HO P53. 26, ‘* stacked,’ or set up in piles; sometimes, presently before they are used. In pointing poles, that have been used, the part which stood in the ground, the preceding year, is struck off, if much tainted, and a fresh point given to the sound part. But, if the bottom part remain firm, it is sharpened,-again, for another season. STACKING THE POLES.‘This work com- mences, presently after the picking isfi nished. In West Keni, the poles are, universally, I believe, set up in somewhat conical piles, or congeries, of two to five hundred each. The method of proceeding is this. Three stout poles, of equal length, are bound together, a few feet from their tops, and their feet spread out, as those already mentioned for pointing the poles. These serve as a stay to the embryo pile; the poles being dropped in, on each side, be- tween the points of the first three; cau- tiously keeping an equal weight, on every side: for, on this even balance, the stability of the stack depends. The degree of in- clination or slope, and the diameter of the base of the pile, vary with the length and the number of poles, set up together. A ab 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 215 Ime, stack of three or four hundred of the long poles, of the environs of Maidstone, occupy used, a circle of near twenty feet in diameter. It the is observable, however, that the feet of the ited, poles do not form one entire ring; but are dart. collected in bundles, or distinct divisions; It is generally, from three to six or eight in number: each fasciculus being bound tightly com- together, a few feet from the ground, with shed, a large rough rope, made of twisted vines; ally, to prevent the wind from tearing away the fia_ poles; and the openings, between the divi- Ired sions, give passage to violent blasts, and this. tend to prevent the piles from being thrown down, in a body: a circumstance, which does not often, I believe, take place, in ready skreened grounds. But, on the high ex- These posure of Cox Heath, where great quantities - the of new poles, brought out of the Weald, bee are piled, for sale among the Maidstone “cau planters, it is not uncommon for the piles every to be blown down, and to crush, in their bility fall, the sheep or other animals, that may f 4 have taken shelter under them.. A cau- F the tion, this, to the inexperienced, in the Hand business of stacking; and an apology, if one A is wanted, for the minuteness of this detail. 216 HOPS. 26. The puraTIon of hop poles depends, on the species of wood, and its growth; and this, on the quality of soil, and the exposure, on which it grows.* Chesnut poles, of eigh- teen or twenty years growth, are esteem- ed the most durable of all others. A pole of this description(it is asserted with con- fidence) was continued, in a hopground, near Maidstone upwards of thirty years; being regularly marked, each year. The ordinary duration of poles is from five to twelve years. The DISPOSAL OF REFUSE POLES. When they are no longer useful, for vigorous plants, they are either transferred to those of lower growth, or laid* by, for young plantations; being finally converted to fuel; or burnt into charcoal; to mix with coke, in the operation of drying the crop. For either of these purposes, they are worth about five shillings, a hundred.— * The oax. It was remarked to me, by an en- lightened and intelligent hop-planter, that oak poles grown upon the. Chalk Hills,(on a strong clayey soil in a bleak exposure) are not so durable, as those grown in the Weald; though the latter are of quicker growth, 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. aig The ANNUAL EXPENCE OF POLES, reckon- ing new poles, at thirty shillings, the num- ber employed onan acre, at three thousand, the duration eight years, and the value of refuse poles, at five shillings, a hundred, will amount to about five pounds, an acre. REMARK. Seeing this great expence of poles, and that it chiefly arises, from the decaying of the part, inserted in the ground; as well as the mischief which not untre- quently happens, from the loaded poles being broken off, at the ground, by high winds, while the crop is maturing; it ap- pears to be a thing most desireable, to pre- vent, or check, the decay of that part. And nothing seems so likely to effect this, as CHARRING THE BOTTOMS OF THE POLES; especially the part, which is placed between air and moisture, at the surface of the ground; where the decay mostly takes place. For remarks on CHARRING Posts, and the method of doing it, see NoRFOLK, and the MipLaNp CouNTIES. The SPRING MANAGEMENT of grown hops. The operation of DRESSING is the first work of spring. The usual time of performing it is March; sooner % 218 HOPS. 26. or later, according to the progress of the season. The work is of a twofold de- scription. The first part is that of opening the bills (provided this has not been done in manur- ing them) which is performed by women; who, with a sort of narrow, pointed hoe, pull them open, so as to lay the crowns of the roots entirely bare, on every side. Men follow, and prune the roots; by cut- ting off the vines of the preceding year, close to the crowns;_ which, in old grounds, are formed of a congeries of entwined roots. If the vines are not taken off, close, the roots get“ pollardy;” grow large and tall; and, in time, rear their heads, aboveground. In which case, it incurs danger, or death, to reduce them. If cuttings are wanted, for immediate planting, or for laying into nursery beds, this opportunity is taken, to throw out the strongest best-eyed plants. The roots being thus freed from the old vines, they are thinly covered, by hand, with fine mold, or with compost; scatter- ing it lightly on, about an inch thick; leaving the opened hill, with a dishing sur- x —> —s an (Ee s 4, Fe 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 219 face. If the sodworm be suspected, the crowns of the roots are often left bare. Remark. Viewing the use of pushing up the vines, without a check, on their first emersion, it appears to be highly proper, to cover the roots, with fresh earth, or com- post, instead of the stale mold of the hill; and this, probably, may supersede the main intention of the preposterous practice, which applies the whole of the manure to this par- ticular part! Potinc. This is one of the nicest ope- rations, in the culture of hops. Not only a knowledge of the ground, and the ordinary growth of the plants, but the probable effect of the coming season, as well as the known exhaustion, by the preceding crop, are to be taken into consideration.‘There is also a general principle to be attended to.‘Too great length, and too great a number, of poles, tend to weaken the roots, and, pro- bably, to shorten their duration. It is, at least, a well known fact, that, when hops have been“ overpoled,” the next year’s shoots are proportionably feeble;. while those which are“ underpoled”(the poles too short) over-top the poles; so that the a es ne eevee a eT 2.2.0 FO P:S. 26. fruit-bearing branches hang down, in the shade; instead of receiving the full benefits of the sun and air, at the heads of the poles. The proper time of poling is presently after the emersion of the plants. But, where the plantations are large, the work of pol- ing takes up some length of time; and it is not unusual, if the weather be favorable, to begin, before the plants emerge; though it add to the uncertainty, and may incur the double trouble of changing the poles, after the strength of the plants is known. The number of poles, to each hill, varies, accordingly to the number of hills to the acre, and the known or estimated strength of the roots. The most usual number js three to,each hill. On the rich lands of Maidstone, four are frequent. In one in- stance, I observed five; but with very bad effect. If, in the luxuriance of growth, the vines show a disposition to become too heavy, for the number and size of those originally set up, an additional pole—a“ supporter’”—is added, to assist in taking the weight; and perhaps taller than the rest, to give greater freedom and elevation to the vines. oe 2.6.. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 231 The Method of Poling. The number of poles being determined, they are laid along, in the intervals, before the poling com- mences; in order to forward the work, at the critical time: The method of setting them up is the same, as that of pitching hurdles, or letting down large stakes or piles. Holes are made with a large iron crow, eighteen inches to two feet deep, and of a width proportioned to the size of the given pole; which is punched down, with all the force and slight, that the-experience of a stout workman can give it. _ The Distance between the Poles, whether they are three or four to a hill, is gene- rally about eighteen inches, at the ground; spreading somewhat upward: the back of the bend, if any, being turned inward; so that the tops of long poles generally stand, three, four, or more feet, from each other; and form regular triangles, when three are set up; when four, squares. And such are the effects of emulation and practice, that in the latter case, the position of the poles is preserved, so invariably, that a clear vista, or open view, is formed, between the double row of poles,(narrow at the bottom, and 222 WO P'S. 26, widening gradually to the tops,) the whole length of the row; were it even a furlong. TRAINING THE viINES. The next works of spring, and the early parts of summer, are those of“tying,” and“ branching;” which are done by women; and are gene- rally taken, together, by the acre. The tying commences, aS Soon as the vines are long enough, to reach the poles, freely; as one to two feet, according to their re spective distances from the poles; it being considered as improper management, to let them run wild, on the ground, longer than is necessary; which may tend to give them an improper habit. In the choice of vines, for training, an equality of size, arid strength, is desireable. Hence, a few early shoots, which are per- ceived to be outstripping the rest in growth, are plucked off; being equally rejected, with those of a weak underling nature. The number of vines to each pole depends, or ought to depend, on the strength of the ground, the number of hills to the acre, and the number of poles to each; and, most of all, perhaps,‘to the known strength of the roots. The usual number is three vines 26 Whole long, vorks ier, ng i%) ene- Vines ely: Vv Ir re- lng 9 let than hem g, alt eable, > per owth, swith pends of the e, and most th of yines 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 223 to each pole; especially, when three poles are in use, to each hill. When four are used, some men train two, some three, vines to each. In one instance, I saw five poles, with three vines to each; but the crop proved abortive. From the observations I made, and the information collected, in West Kent, TEN THOUSAND VINES, AN ACRE, are the greatest number that ought to be trained; even on the powerful lands, in the neighbourhood of Maidstone. The, method of‘tying is, merely, that of leading the vine to the pole, and staying it there, at a height proportioned to the dis- tance at which it grows from the foot of the pole, with a green, recently collected rush; being careful to lay its head, on the left side of the pole; so that it may conveniently wind, to the right, or“ with the‘sun:” otherwise, no human art can induce it to ascend! an interesting fact, in the nature of climbing plants, most of which, I be- lieve, observe the same dictate. The first tying being finished, the grounds are gone over, again and again, applying fresh bandages, where they are wanted, and loosening those below; continuing this 224. HOP S: 26, attention to the climbing of the vines, until they have got above the reach of the work people, or have reached high enough, and acquired strength enough, to render it un- necessary: a state which they usually gain, I believe, about the beginning of May. The branching—namely, taking off the lateral shoots of the trained vines, and clear- ing away the superfluous suckers, or‘** spare bines,’—is done with a twofold view. One of its uses is to clear the intervals, for the tools and implements, employed in the sum- mer culture. The other, to throw strength into the upper parts of the plants. The side branches are usually removed, to the height of three or four feet; and the operation is generally finished, about Midsummer: the spare vines being usually plucked up, as soon as the tying is over. Remarks, on branching. I was told of an instance, in this district, in which it was the practice, to suffer the lateral branches to remain, on the lower parts of the vines, until the time of blowing; and, then, to remove them(thus giving vigor to the fruit- bearing branches, at the time it was most wanted:) and this with success. And, in the nf ay 45, until e work rh, and It Un y gain, y. vt the \ clear- * spare y.‘One for the 2 sum= ength he side height ation is er: the up, a3 ‘old of it was iches to » yines, jell,£0 fruit- most in the 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 22% neighbourhood of Cranbrook, I observed an instance, in which the suckers or spare vines, were, in the month of September, presently before the picking commenced, running wild over the intervals, ten or twelve feet long. The effect, in this in- stance, was a bright crop of hops; while those of the country, in general, were moul- dy and discolored. The subject of branching will be resumed, in suggesting’ IMPROVEMENTS. The enemies of hops, in the sprine, have been mentioned, in speaking of young hops. -The aphis tribe sometimes make their attack in the latter part of the spring months; though more generally, I understand, in the early part of summer. Expedients have been applied, to prevent their effects, but without uniform success. Burning weeds, &c. on the windward side of the ground, I have heard spoken of, favorably, in this intention: but an instance fell under my notice, in which the smoke from a: lime kiln had, it was believed, materially injured the crop of an adjacent ground, for two or three years, in succession. VOL, ee tO e 26; 2.26 HOPS. The sPRiNG management of the INTER- vALS. In general, the intervals lie, un- touched, during the spring months. In some instances, however, they are cropped, with garden plants; as beans, potatoes, turneps, &c. This is termed“ undercropping:” a practice which some men speak well of, and others condemn. In 1797, the potatoe, I observed, had very much increased, as an undercrop. to hops: owing, probably, to the high price, and demand fer them, in the preceding years. But acrop which can be got off the ground, previously to the blowing of the hops, appears to be the most adviseable; for reasons that will be offered. SUMMER MANAGEMENT. This in- volves a variety of considerations. If the INTERVALS are cropped, they are freed from weeds, with the hand hoe. It fallowed, they are either dug, a second time, in the manner described; or are hand- hoed, early in the summer; and, after- wards, horse-hoed, or underplowed, with the“ nidget”’ of many shares.(See IMPLE- MENTS.) This operation generally takes ab NTER 2s Us 1 Some ) With reps, mv and , had Ip. to rice, ding the the able; iis In y are alt time, hand- after with pLE- akes MA Na ni 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 227 place, the latter end of July, or in the be- ginning of August: and, with it, turnep seed is sometimes sown; for sheep food, as well as for the purposes of treading and improving the soil; especially of light land. But this is, comparatively, seldom done: grounds, in general, producing no other crop than hops. The last operation, belonging to a hop- ground, previously to the picking, is sho- velling the intervals; which is differently timed. Some grounds were under this ope- ration, the former part of August; in others, it was deferred, until the picking season was at hand. In this operation, the roughness and weeds, of the intervals, are struck off, with a broad sharp shovel, and cast upon ’ the hills. The intention of it is that of smoothing the ground, for the greater con- veniency of the pickers; as well as to cut' off seedling weeds, chiefly groundsel and chick weed, which crow, even in grounds that have been dug and hoed for half a cen- tury, with singular abundance and Juxuri- ancy, throughout the spring and summer -months. 71e) to ea 228 HOPS. 26. REMARK. Some judicious managers ob- ject to shovelling, early; as wellas to horse- hoing, late; because these operations dis- turb the superficial fibers of the hops, at the time every effort is required. It is well ascertained, that the hop throws out fibrils, superficially; frequently exposing them on the surface, like the turnep: and cutting them off, deep, while the crop is maturing, may be injurious to it: but whether RE- NEWING them, superficially, during that state of the crop, is or is not beneficial, re- mains perhaps to be proved. The ENEMIES of hops, in SUMMER, are numerous, and often fatal to the crop. Some of them are open, and known; others are more secret; the crop frequently pining away, without any palpable cause. The blighbt—or lousiness—is the most ob- vious, in its cause and effect. A fly, of the apbis kind, discharges its young, on the leaves of the plants; on whose juices they feed, and thereby rob the plants of the nour- ishment, which they had provided, for the maturation of the crop. Another enemy, and the most mischie- vous of all others, is the mould. The cause wo “as that ; r'e- , are Some rs are pining st ob of the m the 5 they Noll yt the schie- cause 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 2.29 of this fatal disease is holden as a mystery, into which planters attempt not to pene- trate. It is true, the too great richness of the soil, by over-manuring, is spoken of as. such. Yet every one seems eager to force his plants to the utmost, without appearing to be seriously apprehensive of any mischief which he is thereby incurring. Several in- stances occurred to me, in which there was every probability of hopgrounds being in- jured by over-manuring. Wheat cannot fill and mature on a dunghill. Even on over-rich soils, it runs to straw, and yields but little grain; unless the season prove singularly favorable: and so it would seem to be with hops. This, however, being as it may, the final operation of the disease under notice is too well known: the plants become mouldy, and the crop is destroyed. But whether the mouldiness is the cause, or the effect, of the disorder, is by no means, well ascertained. The“ fire blast” is equally mysterious. It generally makes its attack before the hops are formed. The effect is seen, in the yel- lowness and sickly appearance of the leaves. Nevertheless, if the plants be struck with 230 HOPS. 26. this disease, early in the summer, they some- times recover; and, afterwards, throw out: and mature a crop. The only conjecture lL have heard of, relative to the eause of this disorder, is, that it proceeds from a too great wetness of the weather. Beside these palpable diseases, hops are liable, without any evident symptoms, to be <‘ set in the bur:’—a malady which appears to be similar to that of fruit, when it drops off, presently after the blossoming is past, and.the embryo is formed; and the cause, in both cases, perhaps, is thesame: namely, the weakness of the plants; owing to their excessive burden, in the preceding year. See GLOCESTERSHIRE. In asimilar manner, fruit sometimes drops off, in an advanced state of growth, without any obvious cause. And, in like manner, hops not unfrequently“ go off,” after they have acquired some considerable size, with- out any previous or attendant symptom. These facts I had an opportunity of observ- ing, in the summer of 1790; when the se- veral enemies, here spoken of, were in force. Some memoranda, which were made at the times of observation, will be the best [es Weise Pica 26, Ome. VY out ure| this reat are ‘tobe pears lrops ast; lise, ly, hei Nee drops thout nner, they with- ptom. bser''- he se- force. de at best 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 23 evidences, that I can produce, respecting them. August 20. This morning, I met with some instances of“ mouldy hops.” The clusters(forward in hop) are evidently mouldy. The leaves—scales—or calyxes of the hops are fallen in; and are changed to a dusky color. August 24. Observed an instance of hops « going off,’ without any appearance of mould. Some of the bunches remain to- lerably healthy, and large; but the major part are stinted, small, and hard to the touch, The leaves are of a pale, yellowish color; and the plants wear the appearance of a sickly habit. Symptoms which belong to the“ fire blast,’ in the earlier parts of summer. August 29. A garden, near Dean Street, is entirely“ gone off:’’ not a healthy hop to be seen! some of the leaves are evidently mouldy; but they are not generally so. The diseased hops are contracted into hard knobs. In this case, the imbecility of the plants is rather to be suspected, than their mouldiness. The aspect north-easterly; but not much inclining. Mr., the owner 2.32 HOPS. 2.6. of this ground, has lately had great success with his hops, when those of his neighbours missed: his plants are probably exhausted; and miss, when other men’s hit. September 3. In the valley of Loos, many hops are blasted: appearing of a redish-brown color: occasioned, chiefly, by the nerves of the calyxes, or scales, being changed, from their natural yellow, to a dark red. Is not this the effect of frost; by having caught the hops, while wet, in this sheltered situation° September 6. Another instance of hops “ going off,’ without the appearance of mould. September 20. The backwardest hops are, this year, the best colored, and the freest from disease; owing, perhaps, to their being the least forced, with manure, in the spring.} September 23. The last week of fine weather has been much in favor of the pro- duce of hops. Nevertheless, it is allowed, that so many‘“ brown hops” have seldom happened. May not the late strong frosts have been the cause of this discoloring ¢ a aD] bul al 26, UCcesS bours sted; 1008, of a : by eng to a rost; t, In ops ot hops | the their 1 the fine 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 233 September 28. It is a prevailing opinion, that the mould proceeds from the root: that is to say, it takes place in consequence of some radical weakness, or general! disease, of the plant. A curious experiment is re- lated(with very respectable authority) to have been made, by introducing a hop vine into a room, from a root which grew on the outside of it, and from: which other vines were trained, in the open air. The effect of the disease was precisely the same, in both situations. This is at least an evi- dence, that mould is an effect, not the cause, of the disease: its volatile seeds finding a suitable matrix in the diseased plant, either under cover, or in the open air. OBSERVATIONS ON THE MOULD OF HOps,: From different examinations, it is evident, that what is called mould, is truly such; namely, a vegetable production. In general appearance, while young, it resembles the hoar of frost; being white, as snow: but soon changes to a brown color. This change appears, when the subject is magnified, to arise chiefly from a number of minute glo- bules—doubtless seed-vessels—interspersed among the down of the plants; which when 234 HOPS. 26. magnified, in this state of growth, has the appearance of wool. This disease is common to the leaves, as well as to the fruit. On the leaves, it Is scattered, in dots; each-rising into a blister, or boss. On the hop, it is generally com- mon to every part; thickening and con- tracting the scales; at length, reducing the spike, or head, to a hard brown knob; especially, perhaps, when it takes place while the hop is young. Presently before the picking commenced, I observed some grown hops, partially mouldy: the mouldy scales being thick, leathery, and depressed: those, not mouldy, retaining their form, but appearing sickly. The entire spike of course deformed, and comparatively small.: CRITERIONS OF RIPENESS. The same un- settledness of ideas prevails, even among professional men, respecting the maturation of hops, as of herbage; and few accurate rules of judging are to be gathered from them. This induced me to be the more assiduous in my own observations. It is well known, however,‘that if hops are picked before they are ripe, they are not only dif- ficult to manage, on the kiln; but, like her- 26, aS the eS, as It is ister, com- con- ucing nob; place efore some uldy ssed: n, but course ne Ul mong ‘ation curate ! from more s well ieked y dil her 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 235 bage, that has been cut too young, shrink in drying; and yield short weight in the scale: beside, the bleeding of the vines is spoken of, as being injurious, in this case. On the contrary, if they are suffered to hang too long on the vines, they lose the bright- ness of their color, and the finer part of their flavor. The criteria of a want of ripeness may be set down as follows. The scales remain- ing green, flexible, and tough; holding fast to the receptacle or“strig” of the hop; and standing out from it, wide and open. The seeds likewise remaining firmly in their places; and, on being crushed, discovering a milky juice, similar to that of grain, in a certain state of growth. The marks of sufficient ripeness are these. The color of the hop having changed toa pale yellowish green: a criterion, however, which is least to be depended upon. The scales having closed upon each other, and having acquired a degree of firmness of texture, in themselves; but, on being dis- turbed, easily breaking off, from their re- ceptacle. The seeds, in like manner loosen- ing freely from the scales; and, if the hop 236 rec H.Y ES: 26. be shook, before the scales are disturbed, being heard to rattle within them. And, on removing the coat of the seed, a firm polished grain or kernel is discovered. If a ripe hop be crushed between the fingers, it affords a strong, but agreeable flavor, and a degree of clamminess, proportioned to the season, the ground, and the variety of the hop. In other.words,—the scales lose their openness, and flaccidity, in ripeness; the globular or oval shape, of the hop, changing into that of an imperfect long cube; which possesses a degree of firmness and elasticity; the scales, of which it is composed, spring- ing back, after being pressed between the fingers. If a ripe hop be held firmly by the stalk, and rubbed, with a circular mo- tion, in the palm of the hand, the scales readily break off; and the seeds are found loose among them. Or if, on being held in a similar manner, it be struck upward, or against the grain, with the finger, and the scales and seeds fly off, leaving the recep- tacle naked, it is a sign of sufficient ripe- ness. On the contrary, if, under either of these tests, the scales and seeds adhere ob- ‘urbel, And, a firm od. If ngers, r,and to the of the > their 3; the nging which ticity; spring -en the nly by lar mo- . scales , found 1g held ipwat -and the = t ripe her of are Ob: 26 DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 437 stinately to the strig, or receptacle, it is a proof, that they have not yet received the whole of the, nutriment which nature has provided for them. In the year ninety, several hop growers began to gather in their crops, before they had reached maturity; and, added to this, the season was moist: the juices of the hops were of course thin, and watery. The con- sequence was,“they would not stand the fire;’’ but fell into cakes, upon the kilns. The picking commenced, the first week in _ September;(that being the usual time;) but it was evident, and well known, to men of judgment, that scarcely any hops were sufficiently ripe, and“ full of condition,” that year, until the middle of the month. It is observable, however, that, where a large extent of ground is under one man’s management, it is necessary ,to begin, as early as possible, upon the forwardest; in order to prevent the latest, from being injured, by hanging too long upon the vines. Remarks. Seeing the culture of hops, in this point of view, it seems adviseable, that, where the lands, in one man’s occu- 238 HOPS. 26. pation, are ofa similar nature, and bring on hops with equal forwardness, the SEASON OF PICKING should be lengthened, by a succes- sion of sorts,—by a proper choice of early and late varieties;—so that the whole may be gathered in season. Where nature, accident, or design has not furnished this desireable succession of ripe crops, it is, I believe, a pretty general rule to vary the succession of picking the several grounds in occupation; cautiously avoiding to begin with the same ground, or piece, two years successively: under an idea, that, when hops are cut, before they are sufficiently ripe, the roots are weakened, by the BLEEDING OF THE VINES. But whether this idea be well, or ill, founded, may admit of doubt. It is true, there are many perennial plants, which, in the spring, or early part of summer, have their bleeding seasons; when wine and sugar, in quantity, are drawn from them. But how is this fact connected with annual plants, that have nearly matured their seeds,, in autumn? The exhaustion incurred, by completing the maturation, is probably much greater, than by the discharge, at 2b, Ing on ON OF uCCes- early may 1 has ion of eneral p the ously und, or an they kened, or ill, ; true, ch, in , have e and — 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 239 the stumps, or stubble of the vines. Be- side, this is returned to the soil; whereas that is irrecoverably lost to: it.* Nevertheless, the one is incurred by a process of nature; the other, by an opera- tion of art. And the idea may, or may not, have originated, wholly, in the terror, which naturally enough arises, from an erroneous comparison, between animal and vegetable circulation. See MrpLanp. Counries, on the BLEEDING OF PINES. THE QUALITY OF HOPS ON THE GROUND, —their value, as they hang on the vines,— requires some degree of skill, to estimate. Hops, like wheat and other grain crops, have their welding years. Afine show of hops, as a full crop of chaf, may deceive the unwary. In cold moist seasons, hops“do not fill the bins,” and* shrink in drying:” as wheat, in such years, is small in the grain, dries in, * The only striking instance, which I observed, of the BLEEDING OF THE VINES, appears in the follow- ingmemorandum.‘‘ September 19. Observed the bleed- ing of some hop bines, recently cut. The pendent stubs hang with limpid drops:—a watery insipid liquor;—~ each having a black wet dot, beneath it. But the stones, this morning(excessively close and sultry, with a bright sun) are black with moisture.” 240 HOPS. 26. and does not fill the bushel. The leaves of ‘the vines being of a strong, healthy, dark green color, and the hops of a bright yel- low, with a firm handle, are, perhaps, the best criterions of a yielding crop. PICKING. The sEason oF PICKING usually commences in the month of Septem- ber. In 1790, a few individuals began on the third and fourth of that month; but the picking did not become general, until the sixth or seventh; and, then, with re- spect to ripeness, a full week too early.» But, as is said above, when a large quantity of hops are to be harvested, it is requisite to begin, before they are fully ripe. Neither hands, nor kilns, can be had at will. He who proportions his strength to his crop, in such a manner, as to harvest the greatest quantity of it, in the most valuable state of ripeness, is the most prudent manager. UTENSILS OF PICKING. In West Kent, hops are invariably, I believe, picked into « bins:” namely, cloths, or broad shallow bags, hung in square frames, supported by four legs, from two feet, to two feet and a half high. The length of the frame Is ge- nerally four or eight feet; the side pieces 5) 4, leavesae hy, dar‘ rht Yel. aps, the ICKING eptem- Pan On th; but al, until vith re- ) early. uantity aqiuisite Neither ill, He MIS crop, greatest state of rer t Kent, ced into shallow ted by fand a Is ge- pieces 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 241 projecting a foot beyond the bin, at either end, for handles. The width of the bin, er frame, is two feet to thirty inches. At either end, a support rises, two feet above the top of the frame; and, on the tops of these, rests a straight pole, the length of the frame, or something longer: the ge- neral construction and appearance resem- bling those of a small market booth, without its covering; except that instead of a table, to receive wares, a canvas bag, suited to the size of the frame, is hung within it, so-as nearly to reach the ground; to receive the hops, as they are picked. Those of eight feet long are called«bins;” those of four feet,“ half bins.” A pole-drawer, or“ hop dog”“—namely, a stout wooden lever, five or six feet long, with a strong, barbed, iron hook, fixed on one side of it, to lay hold of and ift the the poles, is necessary; especially on strong ground. Also a knife, and two sickles, or reaping hooks; the one with a short, the other with a long handle; for cutting, and disentangling the bines, are to be provided. Hop Hovets. In grounds, distant from habitations, it is necessary to provide, pre- VOL, I. R sR Bieta 53. Nes a ae pide Sita 2.42 HOPS. 26. viously to the picking season, places of shel- ter, for the workpeople, in wet weather; and asa shade for them, at meal times. WorkPEoPLE. The description of work~ people is various; they being collected from various quarters. The country itself fur- nishes a great number: as it is the custom for women, of almost every degree, to assist at the hop picking. The town of Maid- stone is nearly deserted, in the height of the season. Tradesmen’s daughters, even of the higher classes; and those of farmers and yeomen of the first rank,and best educa- tion, are seen busy at the hop bins. Beside the people of the neighbourhood, numbers flock from the populous towns of Kent; and many from the metropolis; also from Wales: hop picking being the last of the summer works of these itinerants. A few days before the picking begins, the lanes, and village greens, swarm with these strolling pickers; men, women, children, and infants; living as much ina state of nature, as the American Indians, or the sa- vages of the southern hemisphere; plunder- ing the country of whatever they can easily lay their hands upon, as fruit, potatoes, and ee es SEIT SE goat| th 5 Of shel. veather nes, f work ed from If fur- custom tO assist | Maid- ight of S, evell armer's educa- Beside umbers Kent; $0 from - of the ins, the th these hildren, state of the sa under easily es, al 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 243 more valuable articles. But these are evils of the hop culture, which cannot be avoided, in a country where. more are grown, than can be harvested by its own inhabitants. During the picking, these strollers, and strangers in general, sleep in barns, and out-buildings; or in huts, or cabins, built, in long ranges, for this purpose;* or in any hole or by corner they can creep into. I looked into a human dwelling of the latter cast. It was the ruins of a lime kiln, which had been covered with a roof of hopbines; through which rose the flue of a chimney. Three staves, set up triangle-wise, bestrode the hearth; over which was suspended, from the tops of the staves, a short hazel rod, with two natural hooks,—to hang the pot higher or lower. Some large stones round the hearth, as seats, and a well bronzed to- bacco pipe, in the chimney corner, com- posed the rest of the furniture. If superior happiness belong to the cottage, how su- preme must be that of a hopper’s hut. In the field, the workpeople are sepa- rated into classes; consisting of“ pickers”— * With an oveEN, detached from the buildings, for the use of these itinerants. Re 244 H’O P 3.: 26. « binmen”—* measurers”— steward;” with team men, to take the hops to the oast, or drying house. The steward sees to the setting out of the ground, and to the measuring, and keep- ing the accounts of each picker’s earnings; and, generally, to the conduct of the whole. The binmen draw the poles, and: place them over the bins, ready for the pickers; as well as give an eye to the work of pick- ing, in the absence of the steward. And, when the steward is a young man, as the son of the planter, or a woman, as his wife or daughter, the binmen(if no other mea- surers be appointed) assist in measuring. The pickers are divided into“ bins;” ge- nerally of six to eight each: and three or more bins make a“ set;” who work to- gether, on the same lot. OPERATIONS OF THE Hop HARVEST. The lots are generally set out, square; each consisting of one hundred and fortyfour hills; namely twelve hills every way; be- ing distinguished, or outlined, by throwing down a few poles, inward, on every side of each. When there are several sets to work in the same ground, the first lots are drawn on 20: DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 245 for, by the respective binmen; there being, sometimes, a considerable difference in the profitableness of the work. But afterwards, ‘the lots are chosen, by the different sets, as the preceding lots are finished; those who finish first having the first choice. This is a stimulus to industry; but often occasions more hurry than good workmanship; owing to the strivings of the different sets; espe- cially when two or more are finishing nearly together. A better regulation, however, might be difficult to establish. The bins are placed, along the middle in- terval of each lot; the binmen beginning on both sides, to furnish them with poles; that the pickers, on either side of the bins, may be equally accommodated. The poles are drawn, in different ways. -On light free land, they are sometimes drawn, with the hands alone: the vines, in this case, being previously cut, with a knife, from one to two feet high.*‘This done, the * An instance occurred to me, in which the vines were cut five feet long; by way of“ strengthening the roots.” This aptly suggests the idea of gathering hops as apples, by the means of high long stages, moving on wheels, between the rows; suffering the vines to remain i) ) | 246 HO Bogli- 26. pole, having been loosened, by moving it forcibly, to and fro, is lifted out perpen- dicularly. But more commonly, on such lands, the poles are drawn, by the help of a sickle, with which the vines are previously cut. It is then applied to the pole, at the ground; and, by this means, a better pur- chase! is got, to lift by, than is had by the hands alone. Out of strong tenacious grounds, they are drawn with the“ dog,” or hooked lever, above described. But many of the poles, especially of old poles, are too tender to be drawn; or, if raised entire, are too much tainted, within the ground, to be trusted another year, with- out first striking off the tainted part. Hence, the binman, to lessen his labour, especially when he draws by hand, tries their strength and firmness, before he offers to draw them; by giving each a strong pull towards him: on the poles, in an erect posture, until the sap has subsid- ed. Ifthe bleeding of the vines be of a serious nature, this would be the most effectual way of preventing the evil; and would certainly be the most natural treatment: but whether, on the whole, it would be most profitable to the planter, a course of experience, only,can prove. The suggestion appearing on my Journal, I have thought it right, to throw it in, here. 4 26, 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 247 ing It for if the part in the ground break off, with rpen- this effort, it is not worth raising: and if it such|; is stout enough to withstand it, the proof ) of a pull helps to loosen it. ously If the vines be much entangled, at the the tops of the poles, as vines of the same hill pur not unfrequently are, the long-handled 1 by sickle is used to separate them, before they. cious are drawn; or the two poles, thus entan- log,” gled, are thrown down, together, and parted on the ground, with the common hook. old The poles, with the vines and hops upon them, are carried to the bins, singly; and ‘Age ‘hin their tops, or upper parts, rested on the ridge vith: pole, above described; their feet bearing ence, upon the ground; being thus placed, in a cially reclining posture, over the bin cloths, square ength with the line of frames, parallel to each hem other, and at such a distance, as to admit se the pickers to work between them. In picking, the work people stand by the subsid- sides of the bins, or sit on the frames, be- ure, thi tween the loaded poles; dropping the hops, he em as they are separated from the vines, into ii the bin cloths: beginning at the top of the "The pole, and moving it, upward, as it is cleared; st it two pickers being generally employed on the same pole; one on either side. When ~ 248 HOPS. 2.6 finished, they throw the poles, with the cleared vines, behind them, into heaps: the binmen continuing to replace them with loaded poles. The“ bunches,” formed at the extre- mities of the branches, are“ stripped,” or drawn off, at once; together with the leaves that generally grow among the hops, in these terminating bunches. But smaller la- teral bunches, and single hops, growing on the inner parts of the branches, are, or ought to be, picked singly. Nevertheless, in the ordinary manner of picking, many leaves, and some stalks, go into the bins; and this without the disapprobation of the grower:‘a few leaves help the color of the hops;”” and a few stalks assist, in drying those that are gathered under ripe; and both add to the weight of the crop. Too many, however, are objected to, by the fac- tor; and, during the measuring, as well as in the store rooms, the superabundant alloy is extracted. And quarrels, between the pickers and the steward, not unfrequently happen, on this head. The picking is invariably done, by mea- sure: by what is called the“* bushel;” but, in fact, by the basket of eleven gallons: the See a on ~*> 26, DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 249 ‘ te price being regulated by the fulness of the Ee crop, and other circumstances, and settled wu| at so many bushels or baskets to the shil- ling. In 1790, the prevailing price was We«eight for a shilling,” or three halfpence a ds basket, for hops that produced a middling cee crop, as ten or twelve hundredweights, an 8; acre. For fuller crops,“ twelve for a shil- et la ling,” or a penny a bushel, is a common Ng on price. Ofsuch crops, an expert hand will e, or pick twenty bushels, or upwards, a day. eless, The earnings of pickers rising from seven any to twelve shillings, a week. Ins 5 The measuring, when the crop is good, and f the the bins fill fast, is usually done, four times a of the- day; namely,at nine, twelve, four, and seven; lrying that is, before breakfast, before dinner, at and lunch time, and at the time of leaving work. Too Whenever it takes place, it is a constant he fac- subject of contention, between the pickers well as and the steward. For hops being of a com- stalloy pressible nature, much depends on the man- en the ner in which the nteasure is filled. In moist ett, weather, and especially when, at the same time, the hops are under ripe, they fall med heavy, and sink down close in the basket; ” but, unless they be measured with a light hand. 5; the. 250 HOBBS. 26. It seems to be pretty generally understood, that the basket should be filled,in such a man- ner, that, on its being struck down smartly, upon the frame of the bin, the hops should sink some two or thr¢e inches below the top; the usual depth of the basket being sixteen inches. But some judiciousmanagers measure accordingly to the workmanship. Those, which are picked sufficiently clean, are mea- sured lightly, or the basket is underfilled. On the contrary, such as are too foul, with leaves and strigs, with which unskilful and dishonest pickers encumber their bins, are thrust down into the measure. And this would seem to be the fittest, and most peace- ful mode of punishment. To describe the method of measuring may seem to be superfluous: but it is a link in the chain of cultivation and management of hops, which, though of a slender cast, it would be improper to omit. The pickers having severally taken care, to lighten up their hops, and, in doing it, to gather them to one end of the bin, before the measurer reach them, the basket is placed, in the empty part of the bin, with its mouth some- what ascending; and is filled, with the hand ‘f, Tstood, aman, nartly, should le top Xteen asure hose, 2 mea- ‘filled , With and 3, are L this yeace- ig may ink in ent of ast, It ickers ames hand ue 7" 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE: 251 and arm, to a pitch(by judicious measur- ers), proportioned to the state of the hops, and the workmanship: and, as it is lifted out of the bin, it is usually set down with a smart shock, on the side of the frame; equally for the satisfaction of the picker, and to assist the judgment of the measurer; before he turn over its contents, into the sack or pocket, in which they are conveyed to the kiln. To ascertain the earnings, of the different pickers, the larger, or“ whole bins,” are generally divided, into two or more parts: as it seldom happens, that one family, or one company, is large enough, to occupy the whole. Even the“ half bins” are some- times divided. To keep the accounts, of the earnings of an hundred hoppers, employed in the same sround, and solely under the care and su- perintendance of one steward, may seein to be a task, difficult to be performed, even for a week, and impossible to be continued, through the whole of theseason of picking; without confusion, and endless error. Yet this is done, with perfect ease and accuracy; by the means of ame—— ——aoO i'd | a AE 252 HOPS. 26. Tue pousLe TatLy. This beautifully simple device, which surely might be ap- plied, with profit, on various ee occa- sions, is formed of two thin pieces of wood, each of them being about nine inches long, an inch and a half broad, and a quarter of an inch thick. These are neatly planed, and accurately fitted together, by means of a shoulder, formed on the principal part or tally; which is three inches longer than the inferior part, or check: the two, when joined together, making the double tally; which is twelve inches long, an inch and a half wide, and half an inch thick, from end to end. One of these double tallies is appropriated to each party, or single person(picking alone) who receives the check part; the tally remaining with the steward; each of them being previously identified by the same number. The tallies are strung, as beads, on a cord, passing through holes in the handles, or clubbed ends;#and, during the time of measuring, are slung across the steward’s shoulders. I have seen the steward, of no more than fifty or sixty pickers, with up- Bn=_——=:- a as a= a—S 6, 06. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 293 Ati wards of forty tallies on his string. The t be ay bin, half bin, or partition, being measured Mer Ocear(and, if the number be large, scored with Of Wood, chalk, on the frame of the bin) the picker 3 long, produces her check. The steward, on see- ter of an ing the number, refers to the corresponding led, and tally; and, having fitted them to each other, ns of a cuts a notch across them, with a penknife, part or for every shilling earned. For exainple, when er than the rate of picking is eight bushels to the a, when shilling, if the quantity measured be just > tally;‘eight bushels, a single notch is cut: if ch and twelve, one clean notch, and one side of k, from another:(the edge of the knife being sunk the usual depth, but no wood taken out.) ropriated‘ If there be one, two, or three bushels, over (picking the notch or half notch, they are scored, vart; the with a pencil, across the points of the + each of double tally,(one corner being sloped off for | by the this purpose) and, when these odd bushels are taken into the general account, at the ids, on 8 next measuring, the pencil marks are scrap- » handles ed off. tine of Thus, each party possesses a correct ac- vewatdl count, kept in the face of the field, without | i of 10 a probability of error, or fraud, being com- sth UP mitted, by either. # 254 HOPS. 26. If money ts wanted on account, the check is produced, the tally referred to, and as many notches cut, on the contrary edges of the two, when joined, as there are shillings drawn. And, in this manner, a regular duplicate account, debtor. and creditor, is carried on, to the end of the season: when the balance is struck,—by counting the notches! Hops are carried to the drying bouse, from distant grounds, in carriages, from those which lie nearer, sometimes on horseback; always in“pokes,” or large bags, the size of the pocket in which hops are packed for sale. The degree of fulness, or the quantity of hops to be put into one of these bags, is 4 point, which requires some attention, in practice, and is therefore entitled to notice, here. In the former part of the day, that is, when they will be emptied as soon as they reach the kiln, or presently afterward, they are filled. But in the evening, when those sent in will have to lie in the bags, all night, a smaller quantity is put into each; to prevent their heating; which de- stroys their color, injures their flavor, and, by relaxing their texture, renders them dif- if, Check and as lees of ill Ings gular Or, is When © the e, from those yack; € size ed for antity 0205, I ‘on, In notice, y, that oon as ward, , When e bags, it Into ch de- , and, m dif 26.| DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. axe ficult to be managed on the kiln. Hence, this precaution is peculiarly requisite, while the crop is under-ripe; and, especially, during close damp weather; when, com- mon prudence dictates, such hops should be spread thin upon a floor, until the kiln be ready to receive them. The stripping of the poles, which have been picked, and thrown aside, as mentioned, is usually done by the binmen, in the leisure intervals of drawing; laying them along in piles or heaps; and leaving the vines scattered over the ground. But, too often, they are suffered to remain among the green succulent foliage of the vines, to be tainted, or rotted, by its fermentation. And with respect to what may be called the straw, or halm, of hops,—the vines and Joliage,—the management is so contrary to reason and common sense, that it is impos sible to see it, without disgust, or to write upon it, without censure. For, although they constitute the main bulk of the crop, and are doubtless a principal cause of the exhaustion of the land, they are treated as things of no value; as rubbish that encum- bers the ground; and, as such, are burnt! and 2.56 HOPS. 26. - their ashes given to winds, or suffered to be washed into the soil, or reduced to mor- tar, on the spot where they happen to be produced: as the following memoranda will|( more particularly show.|: «October 9. The country, for a few days| F and nights past, has been kept in a blaze, h with the“burning of bine.” Last night| the fires were extinguished, by a heavy rain; and this morning, the ashes are lying, abroad, as wet as mortar.‘The quantity is h greater, than I apprehended. But how of much more considerable would the quantity th of digested vegetable matter have been, had the same vines been properly reduced, by te ah fermentation, to a state of mucilage? Burn-|. Ai ing hop vines is like burning dunghills:, \; the ashes of either may be good; but the i } substance of either is probably of much more value. But, surely, the ashes, if used ha as a manure, ought to be evenly incorpo- i rated with the soil, as lime. Instead of pa which, no care whatever appears to be. i taken of them: they are everywhere seen| sit in scattered heaps, as they were burnt;, a i whether the weather happens to be wet or| dry: as if the only intention of burning by 20 red ty ) Mors to be la will i days blaze, night heavy lying Itity is how ntity 1, had ed, by Burn- shill yut the much if used corpo- ead. of to be 0 seell yrnt 5 et OF ning 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE.— 257 them, was that of getting rid of an incum- brance. October 11. Mr. is beginning to draw, and strip the poles of his abortive hops(fifteen or twenty acres!) The vines, leaves, and diseased fruit, being thrown into heaps, to be burnt! and this, though the last contains much“condition:” the ex~ haustion of the land, it is probable, being nearly the same, as it would have been, had the crop remained healthy: the whole of the matter exhausted being lodged, in this devoted produce. October 13.‘Hopgrounds, in every quar- ter, are strowed with the scattered remains of wasted ashes: some run into cakes, by the rain; others are now blowing about, with the wind, into the highways and hedges!” The most valuable purpose, to which I have seen them applied, is that of binding beans, with lengths cut from the lower parts of the vines: the next, that of strow- ing them in the intervals of plantations. In some few instances, I have seen them form- ed into bundles, as oven. fuel; and, in one or more, I heard of their being used, as litter, for the farm yard, VOL! 1.> “Mite 258 02S. 26. But to speak, generally, of the ordinary practice of the district, hop vines, together with their foliage, and such fruit as is not deemed marketable, are burnt on the ground: and their ashes wasted. Remarks. From this view of the harvest- ing of hops, some idea of its effects on RURAL SCENERY may be formed. The rape-thrash- ing* lasts but for a day, and is confined to one spot: whereas the hop picking is ge- neral to a country, and continues for some weeks. The numerous throngs of work- people, with the attendant swarms of chil- dren, which everywhere meet the eye, is peculiarly striking. Whole families, in- deed, the whole country, may be said to live in the fields, during the busy season of hopping. The country itself, as the pick- ing advances, takes a broken, ragged ap- pearance; disgusting the eye that is set to beautiful objects. But those who stroll| through it, and view it in detail, find much| that gratifies: and the good humor and garrulity, which is heard, in every garden, add to the pleasure. * See YORKSHIRE. H ee cial~ re ie i 5. ass ol i 5 tm ——‘“hy as oe eal b te ‘). } 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 259 rdinary, The] ae 2 ay ataubileecdur hat. e hop picking is a sort of jubilee; dur Be ing which a licence of speech, and relaxation i= of manners, are authorized by cusrom: any i ea thing may be said, and many things done, i] which would not pass uncensured, at another\ ares season. What strikes a stranger the most, i!) a as being himself concerned, is the homage thrash- with which he is received, on joining one of| ined to those licenced groups, The fairest, or the| \1 b IS forwardest, of the female pickers, having See selected the finest bunch of hops in her view, work- approaches him, with great respect,—and Nf chil-** wipes his shoes’’—or rather touches them eye, Is with it; and then offers it to him. ies, I Whatever might be the origin of this sin- said to cular custom, its modern intention is too eas of evident to be mistaken, by those who at- he pick- tract its notice. It is that of collecting ged ap- silver: which either goes towards the nop t 1s set SUPPER, that is always given, on the even- 10 stroll ing of the last day of picking; or is ex- yd much pended, in fulfilling another custom of the nor and hop harvest, whose origin might be found gatde equally difficult to be traced. This may be termed: the DECORATION OF HATS.. A few days before the picking is Se 2.60 ree io- 26. compleated, by any particular planter, the company of pickers, belonging to such in- dividual, decorate a hat, at their joint ex- pence, with a handkerchief of gaudy hue, and with ribbons and gilded ornaments: This is the hat of the head binman. Ano- ther is adorned with ribbons, only. This is the carter’s. These hats are exposed to pub- lic view, before the day of finishing, are dis- played at the hop supper, and afterwards worn in public; each company endeayour- ing to outvie the other, in finery. These rustic feats, and the revelry which attends them, are the more excusable, as they close the labors of the year; and may serve, by leaving favorable impressions of the past, to alleviate the sufferings of toils to come. The DRYING HOUSE,-—-provincially the“* oAST HOU sE,’—pronounced‘© wostus.” The oast houses of the larger growers, are sub- stantial and expensive buildings; contain- ing four, six, eight, or perhaps ten,“ oasts, or kilns; with receiving rooms, for the green hops, as they are brought from the bins; and with“stowage, or store rooms, for the 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 261 mr, the dried hops; together with a packing place, ch in- convenient to the store rooms; and ware- it ey. houses, below, to receive the packages. ’ hue, The KILNs are of different constructions: rents. but the general principle and intention of Ano- all of them are the same; and are similar to his is those of the malt kiln. Indeed, a common, ) pub- and perhaps the best, form is that of the radi: ordinary malt kiln; some kilns being occa- wards sionally used, either for malt or hops. In a the largest drying house I had an oppor- tunity of examining, and perhaps the largest hich and compleatest of the kind, in West Kent, its(Mr. RusseL’s of Maidstone) the kilns are 1H of this construction: each having only one a8 stove, or fireplace; the body of fhe kiln toi being tunne.-shaped,—a square pyramid og inverted. a Of another sort, the body of the kiln is sae a short cube; formed by a square room of ie walling, carried up eight or nine feet high: ae two openings, mouths, or fireplaces, being He left, at a distance from each other, on one —d of the sides, and two or three feet from Ag the ground, or floor of the kiln room. At :. each of these openings, a flat iron grate is Jaid, over a flue, or air pipe, in the wall; pee LS eee a-\ “i“ ee teen= a—————___smnresag So or 262 HO PS. 26. and on these grates, coke and charcoal are burnt. In a third mode of construction, the heat is communicated to the body of the kiln, by a large iron cylinder, which passes throu oh it: the fuel, in this case, being raw coals; whose smoke, by this precaution, is pre- vented from injuring the flavor of the hops. The fire is made, in a small close stove, or “‘ cockle,”’ at the lower end of the cylinder. The floor, or plaiform of the kiln, in every case, is formed with wooden bars, set edge- way; and, in the several kilns I examined, these were covered with bair cloth, such as malt kilns are usually covered with, The floor of course corresponds, in size, with the body of the kiln; their sizes varying from ten to fifteen feet square. On the margin of: the floor, a strong board, set on edge, rises, about a foot above the cloth, on every side. The siTuaTion of an oast house is gene- rally chosen, for its conveniency to the grower’s residence; but, when a large plan- tation lies at a great distance from him, a drying house is sometimes erected, in or near the ground. | 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 263 al a DRYING. The object, or INTENTION, - to be obtained, by the process of drying, is heat that of evaporating the superfluous moisture, n, by and inspissating the natural juices, of the ough hop; thereby to prevent every tendency to oals; fermentation; as well as to check the vola- pre- tility of the essential oil, on which their hops. flavor, at least, depends. Ve, OF The QUANTITY LAID ON, at once, is re- inder. gulated by the size of the kiln, and the every state of the hops. Under-ripe hops, espe- dge- cially in damp weather, require to be laid ined, on, much thinner, than well matured hops, chas inadry season. In the early part of the The season of 1790, which was moist, the stalks with of picked hops, on being drawn between the arying fingers, appeared to be as full of moisture, Yn the as straw that has been dipped in water; and set Ol the hops, themselves, naturally partook of othon this state of moistness. If hops, in this state, be laid on, thick, and a brisk fire promoted beneath them, gelle- i the the steam is prevented(by its excess of pli quantity, and the imperviousness of the hit, mass) from making its escape, so fast as it ‘1 OF is generated: it of course lodges, in the upper part of the mass; which, thus be- 2,64 HO?-S. 26. coming still more heavily laden with mois~- ture, presses, with greater weight, on the lower part;—the whole falling into a close body, or cake, upon the cloth, Hops, caught in this predicament, are said to be“ scalded”’—or“ coddled:’’"—and it is difficult, or impossible in extreme cases, to dry them properly afterward. Hurdles are sometimes put under them, in this case, to lift them from the cloth, and give a freer circulation to the steam.* Hence, judicious kilnmen, in the early part of the season, and in close damp weather, put their hops on, very thin; as five or SIX inches deep; and begin to dry them with a gentle heat:—But lay on ripe hops, in a dry season, not less than ¢welve inches thick. A full sized kiln—* a fourteen feet oast”— will dry about a hundred bushels of ripe well harvested hops, at once: such hops usually sinking, about one third of their depth, in drying. * In the VALLEY OF FARNHAM, where the whole crop may be said to be harvested while under-ripe, an admirable expedient is used, to prevent this miscarriage indrying. It will be particularly mentioned, in speak- ing of the practice of that district. 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 265 me The great art, the best skrLL, in curing In the hops, would seem to lie, in giving them a Close moderate, and gradually increasing beat, in , the first stage of drying; in order to give the » are steam which is generated, in the lower part “and of the mass, sufficient leisure to rise to the 'ases, surface; and to be taken up by the atmo- irdles sphere, as fast as it rises. For it is allowed, base, by those who have paid particular attention freer to the subject, that an excess of moisture, lodged among hops, during the process of part drying, though it may not be sufficient to her, produce the fatal effect, mentioned, is ne- I Si vertheless capable of doing material injury ith a to their color and flavor.© ina When the hops have become dry and crisp, thick, at the bottom—which is termed“ rising ast”— from the cloth”—the danger is considered f ripe to be over, and the heat is increased. This hops is done by raising the fire, at the discretion their—or guess—of the workman. I met with no instance, nor heard of one, in which the THERMOMETER has been used. ve whol The FvEL, formerly, was chiefly charcoal, ripe a; burnt in“ stoves,” or open fires. Now, se coke, or charred pit coal, is chiefly in use, peak= ‘ with a small proportion of charred wood, 2,66 HOPS. 26, to give occasional briskness, or vigor, to ia the fire. In the close fires, or“cockles”’(as 1 ie| has been said) raw sea coals, only, are burnt. iF| The usual calculation of the quantity of{ fuel, to a ton of hops, is one chaldron of 2 coals: or a chaldron of coke, with a quarter: of a load of charcoal: or a load of charcoal, alone; consisting of sixty sacks; each sack or bag containing six pecks; the value of the load being about four pounds. Beside these enumerated articles of fuel,, a very considerable quantity of sulphur is|( consumed, in the drying of hops; chiefly,| or wholly, for the purpose of COLORING| those, which have lost their natural yellow 7 hue, in the circumstance of disease, or the weather. This practice, like that of coloring’ cheeses,* is carried on, with the privity, and sometimes, I understand, at the request, of the merchants, or factors: for they say 3 it is not disliked by the brewers. Indeed, ee if it were, the practice would not be con- j tinued; as it may readily be detected, by me the color or the smell, It may possibly t assist in medicating diseased hops, and serve i * See GLOCESTERSHIRE. hy av 2.6. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 2.67 Por, to ‘ to do away any unwholesome quality, which, les”(a without this salutary fumigation, they might burnt, possess. Moreover the sulphur, by effec- mit) yi tually destroying the eggs and embryos of ron of insects, and repelling the attacks of insects uarter themselves, may assist in making such hops arcoal, keep the better. This, however, by the way. ch sack The method of coloring is, merely, that of alue of throwing the sulphur upon the open fires, where they are in use; or on ladles of burn- of fuel, ing charcoal, or on the heads of the stoves bur is or cockles, when raw coals are the fuel. hiefly, The time of administering it varies. Some ORING. men use it, in the early stages, others to- yellow wards the close, of the drying. In the or the first case, the hops are found to imbibe the greatest quantity of sulphur; in the latter, coloring it adheres to them more superficially. Per- privity, haps, when the hops begin to rise from the request, cloth, so as to admit the sulphur to per- they sa} vade the whole mass, before their pores are Indeed‘closed, and their juices fixed, is the proper be cal juncture. ce Dy The quantity of sulpbur used, in this dis- sly trict only, is incredible. One grower(this dserve however a very large one) it was said, in the early part of the picking season of 1790, 268 HO PS.*-: 26. had laid in a ton of sulphur! Indeed, it was waggishly reported, that year(remark- able for discolored hops), that a certain very large dealer in the article made his appear- ance in one or more of the oast houses of the West Kent planters, and remonstrated against their proceedings, as amounting to amonopoly. Nevertheless, that year, many hops were said to be, in a manner,“ dried with sulphur:” that is to say, it was in that, as on other occasions of a similar nature, almost continually added to the fire, during the process of drying. The time allowed, for each kilnful to remain on the cloth, is invariably, I believe, twelve hours. 3 The ORDINARY MANAGEMENT ON THE KILN is simply this: when the“ fire’(that is, the state of crispness) has got pretty well up to the surface, which usually hap- pens about the ninth hour, the hops are turned on the cloth; and, having had< one- full fire more,” they are taken off. The cRITERION OF DRYNESS, as of ripe- ness, is not well defined. Indeed, it is merely extemporaneous, or empirical, and is attained by practice, only. But even ab, deed, i “emark. In very pear USes of trated ing to many “ dried in that, nature, luring ful to relieve, IN THE 2”(that pretty ly hap ops ate ad, one sear EY 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 269 practitioners differ in their ideas, respecting it. All of them agree, however, that hops, when they are taken off the kiln, should be perfectly crisp—should be‘brittle as glass,’ —and break down, freely, into small frag- ments, or coarse powder, on being rubbed between the hands. ‘It is here to be observed, as the opinion of judicious managers, that hops, if the drying be properly conducted, are not very liable to be too highly dried. On the con- trary, that there is more to be apprehended, from drying them, insufficiently, than too “much. For hops, thoroughly dried,“* im- prove in the bags,” that is, swell or increase in bulk or weight, after they are packed: whereas, those which are under-dried are liable to shrink; and, by admitting the out- ward air, to lose their color and flavor, pre- maturely. The QUANTITY USUALLY DRIED EACH pay, on a full sized kiln,—(allowing that a hundred bushels are dried at once, and that they yield 175 1b. of dry hops—the common calculation) is g50lb. And it is reckoned that six such kilns should dry about a ton, a day. 270 HO P'S: 26, This, however, depends on the state of ripeness and the state of the weather; a TON OF DRIED HOPs comprising, from NINE TO TWELVE HUNDRED BUSHELS of green ones; according to the state, in which they are brought to the kiln. STORING. From the kiln, the hops are carried, in very large baskets, set on wheeled frames, to the store rooms; where they are thrown up into heaps, of any size, or thickness,“ to get the fire out of them:” that is, to imbibe, from the atmosphere, that which unbraces the brittleness of their texture, and renders them fit for the operation of bagging: in which, with- out this precaution, they would be broken down to atoms, by the feet of the work- men. The length of time they remain in the store room depends on circumstances. Those who have sufficient stowage, and are not urged, by necessity or policy, to get them hastily to market, let them lie, until the end. of the drying season, and then mix the whole, or such parts, of them together, as their respective judgments direct. While those who have less room, or are eager to al i 26 DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. a1 State of sell, pack as they dry; allowing them to athers a remain, only a few days, in the stowage, OM NINE BAGGING. This is a general term f green for PACKING,—whether in“ bags,” or in Ich they“pockets. Bas are made of very coarse heavy can- 1¢ hops vas. Some of this coarse“ bagging” is manu- , set on factured in Maidstone; but chiefly, I un- where derstand, at Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire. any size The warp is of tow, or refuse hemp; the them<” woof of coarser tow, or of hay covered with sphere, tow! the threads being nearly as thick as phar the finger. The width of the web is four ferathe feet, the length of the bag seven feet and a hy with: half; each bag taking five yards of cloth. oak a The allowable weight of a bag is twenty bri pounds.‘The price, in 1790, was three shillings and ninepence. And the weight of hops it will contain is 21 cwt. or one eighth of a ton.' PockETs are made of much finer canvas, or Hessen; which is imported under the name of“ Hambro’ rolls.” It is nearly, but a not quite, three feet wide. The length of a en pocket is the same as that of the baw: its get a allowed weight four’ pounds._ Its oe in , While ty: \‘ 1799, three shillings and four pence, And eager cain in the es, Those d are not ) get them until the 272 HOPS. 26. the quantity of hops, it is intended to con- tain, is one huridredweight and a quarter; half a bag; or one sixteenth of a ton. Before the operation of packing be men- tioned, it will be proper to speak of the QUALITY OF DRIED Hops; for on this, chiefly, depends the species of package. The desireable qualities of hops reside, in their color, their flavor, and their strength, or bitterness. The color is the most evident criterion, to assist the judgment of the in- experienced. Fine hops are of a bright straw color, with a somewhat greenish tinge:—diseased, or otherwise damaged hops, varying, from this, to the dark brown hue of the dead leaf. The flavor cannot be so easily described. The inspiring aid of experience is required, to judge of it, with accuracy. And all, perhaps, that can be said-of it is, that fine hops afford, to sensations in general, an agreeable, damaged hops a less grateful flavor. The strength is also to be detected, by the smell; as well as by the handle. Hops, that are“ full of condition,” on being rubbed hard, in the palm of the hand, emit a degree of odor, and disclose a degree of clamminess, which a 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 293 to CO). are universally admitted as criteria of their {Uatter strength. The texture of the leaf, or scale On. of the hop, is likewise a popular criterion; ¢ men- especially, I believe, among the brewers of of the fine beer; who prefer what is called a hietly,“silky hop:’’ a small, soft, delicate, trans- parent leaf; to one which is large, thick, Side, in coarse, and‘“ leathery:” and, hence, the rength, decided preference the fine-beer brewers evident give to the Farnham hops. But with what the in- propriety will be considered, in speaking bright of the practice of FARNHAM. eenish' The cHoicE: oF packaces. It is the maged common practice of the country, to pack brown the best colored, finest flavored hops, in cannot pockets; without much regard being paid ing aid to their strength; and those of inferior e of It, color and flavor, in bags. But the precise that can» degree of those qualities, which direct the ford, to hop grower to a choice of the one or the amagel other, depends on the existing, or probable strength demand for pockets; and this, in a great as Well measure, on the general quality of the given «fill of crop, throughout the kingdom; and, espe- in the cially, on the given quantity and quality of "odor, Farnham hops; which, in a common year, which are principally sent to market, in pockets. VOL. I. a 274 H’O PS. 26. Be In a favorable year, when hops in gene- ral are bright, and well flavored, none but the finest samples, of the growth of West Kent, are“pocketed.” But, ina brown-hop season, as in 1790, hops, which in a better year would have been bagged, were packed in pockets; for which there is a regular and constant demand, by private families, and small breweries: while the demand for bags is less certain; as being closely con- nected with the price of malt; bagged hops being principally used by the porter brewers. Beside, when the growth of any particular} year exceeds the annual demand, the sur- plus produce is preserved, with greater cer- tainty, in bags, than in pockets. Hence, a prudent manager consults his merchant, or his factor, before he determine on the species of package. And, even when he has come at the probable difference in mie price, he moreover calculates the probable Ml.: net profit, when every contingent Is taken into the account. It appears, above, that the allowed weight of a bag is twentytwo pounds—of a pocket, only four: and the| packing cloth, in either case, being weighed as hops, there is a comparative gain, on ab, 2 Pees s x a one but each bag, of the price of fourteen pounds of f Weg hops, by bagging: beside the smaller adyan- tage of the cost of the empty bag being litgle 26. DISTRICT: OF MAIDSTONE. o78 ian more than half the price of two pockets. ee The saving of expence, in packing, and of uke a draught of the scales, in weighing, are gular minor considerations, in favor of bagging. amiligs THE APPARATUS OF PACKING is simple. al foe A circular opening, large enough for a full ly con- bag of hops to swing clear in, being made ed hops in the floor of the stowage or store room ee(or in that of a room set apart for bagging) ticular a strong frame of wood, about four feet 1e Sut= square, with a circular void, in the middle, ter Cer exactly the size of a full bag(when intended for bags) is laid upon the floor, in such a sults his manner, that the two perforations are made etermine to answer each other. Round the mouth en when of the bag, a strong wooden hoop is fixed,| rence 10 by the means of hooks set on the outer i probable surface of it. The inner surface of the hoop i) is taken- answering, precisely, to the opening in the 4} ove, that frame, the substance of the hoop rests wholly i\\| yenty tv upon it; and is thus well enabled to sustain ie| aid the the weight of the bag, and the workman weighed employed in filling it. zit, 0! T 2 ee eee 276 HOPS. 26, For pockets, the opening or void, in the frame, is of a size suitable to such packages. And the hoop, in like manner, is corre~ spondent. The METHOD OF FILLING Is equally simple. The two bottom corners of the bag having had a few hops tied tightly in them, tassel- wise, by way of handles, for the greater conveniency of moving them, when full, the empty bag is lowered down, through the openings in the frame and floor, and suspended by the hoop. A few shovelfuls of hops are then thrown down; and the bagster descends. Having trodden these firmly,at the bottom, and into the corners, of the bag, an assistant, above, with a shovel of ample size, sends down a fresh supply, upon the head of the bagster(as yet. much be- neath the floor) burying him, as it were, alive| In the capital drying house, mentioned aforegoing, two bags are usually suspend- ed, at once, in the same bagging room, and at a short distance from each other; so that one man can easily feed the two. This, where large quantities of hops are to be bagged, is a saving; the feeding being ——————————— a 16, in the Kages, corre- mple. aving assel~ eater n full, rough r, and elfuls d the these ners, of rovel of Y, upon uch bes It were, pritioned suspend som, ad her; 5° he to. gare tO g being 26. DISTRICT. OF MAIDSTONE. 29% light work, compared with the treading; which is not only filthy, but laborious. The compression is given, by a sort of stamping tread; throwing the whole weight of the body on one foot; bearing hardest on the outside of it; particularly, on the outside of the package, against the canvas; in order to guard the whole, as much as possible, from the effects of the outward air. The inner parts of the bag are trod- den, with a lighter, flatter foot; good work- men endeavoring to pack the hops, closely, without breaking them, unnecessarily. Each bag takes about an hour’s work, to fill it, properly. The METHOD OF WEIGHING accords with the rest of this compleat operation. Four. staples, fixed in the corners of the frame, receive the four hooks of a pair of scale ropes: the frame itself becoming, in effect, the scale board: anda strong beam being suspended, so that the end of t shall hang over the center of the opening in the floor, with a corresponding scale, at the other end, in which the proper weights are placed, the required quantity, to be packed in each bag, is accurately given. This, 278 HOPS. 26. however, is not the. ordinary method of ascertaining, when the bag is sufficiently full; which is more usually, though less accurately, done, by a pair of stiiliards, sus- pended over the center. of the hole in the floor; or rather a hole is cut in the floor (whether for scales or stilliards) so as to answer some beam or other bearing, in the floor, or roof, above.. DUTY. Every grower of hops is le- gally obliged to give notice, on or before the first day of September, of the number of acres he has in cultivation; the situation and number of his oasts; the place or places of bagging; which, with the store rooms, or warehouses, in which the packages are intended to be lodged, are entered. Wo hops can be removed, from the rooms thus entered, before they have been weighed and marked, by a revenue officer; who marks, or ought to mark, not only the weight, but the name and residence of the grower, upon each package. The original duty was a penny, on every pound weight: but the percentages, which have since been laid on, had raised it, in 1790, to about twentyfour shillings, a bag, 26, hod of ciently Th Jess 15, Suse In the “floor as to in the iS le- before umber ation places ‘Ooms, res are rooms eighed - who ily the of the ) every which it, 0 4 bag, 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 279 and thirteen shillings and sixpence, the pocket: that is, near ten pounds, a. ton, The duty, of this district, is paid to the collector of the excise, at Maidstone; the growers being allowed six months credit. MARKETS. Lonpon is the grand mart, for West Kent hops: Some portion of its growth, however, Is purchased, annually I understand, by dealers from ScoTLAND. And, in the years in which the WorcESTER- SHIRE plantations fail, dealers, from that quarter of the Island, repair to Kent, to make up the deficiency. The PLACES OF SALE are the markets and fairs of the country; particularly those of Maidstone: or the growers’ warehouses; especially those of the principal planters. The cHAPMEN are either merchants or factors.‘The former are dealers, who buy on their own account: the latter are middle- men, who sell them, to the dealers, chiefly of London, by commission. These men attend fairs and markets; each having his room for business, at the inns; and ride about the country, among the growers, to purchase or receive orders. 280 HOPS. 26. The TIME OF SELLING commences with the picking; or, perhaps, the whole growth of a planter is contracted for, before that begins; and continues, too often, until the whole are spoilt, on hand: the growers of hops, as of grain, not unfrequently speculate on the chance of prices. In the year ninety, a considerable grower, who had kept up his hops of the two years preceding, not- withstanding the price was immoderately high, was said to have lost upwards of three thousand pounds, by his indiscretion. Hops are a perishable article of produce; losing, in twelve months time, much of their color and flavor; and, in two years, those in the the smaller packages lose most of their essential character; the decay taking place at the surface. And hence the use of a thick covering, and of a bulky package. Hops are principally sold, by SAMPLE; generally cut out of the side of the bag or pocket; but, during the picking season, samples of hops“ not bagged” are brought to market. The cRITERIONS OF QUALITY have been given. See page 272. ——— SaaS a 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 28 seal The prices depend, on the crop, the Bowe quantity on hand, the price of barley, and ms that the spirit of speculation which prevails. itil the The par price of West Kent hops, in bags, ers of has been fluctuating, for the last ten years, culate between three pounds ten shillings, and inety, eight pounds, a hundredweight, in the Lon- “pt up don market.: §, Not- The difference of price, between bags erately and pockets, depends on the height of the three general.prices, and other circumstances; Hops and particularly on the crop of Farnham osing, hops. When this falls short, the price of ' color Kentish pockets advance: from five to fif- ‘in the teen shillings, a hundredweight, includes { their the more ordinary difference, between their g place| prices: as appears, in the following table; ‘a thick which is furnished, by a person, who is in- timately acquainted with the subject. MPLE| bag ot sensol sought » heen i} } | § I ‘ y i| } ew) > Q n ee © @) ‘es ie J w 1787..8.-0,0:,10 9.0 0.) 8.100 to, 10.0.9 Sy io 6 as 5 OT 56 GO 0. OO Gg:(6.0 2 7. op Os OS a7 O 00;..2..0, 05-31 4,10" 07 210.0 yA SO te 10 0— 5 5 O75 15 08= O15 0 2s QW LO Asi 4 LOT 0E/-3. 10707, Fi ASO 3, gl. 010,== Om 0.0.72 00x—- 10, 10 0 fo OO we 4 OFO 8 lor0 Bers 0 &.B 10 0—- 4 10'0)1 4 46 Ojs71457 S00 6;. 2.10 0 5, 4.10 07} 3°15 Open. 545 0 Oe tS Os OA oO 5 TOO Average 4.100 to 5 120|5.00 to 6100 The pAYMENT is usually prompt: hops being generally sold for ready money, or on very short credit. Tue DELIVERY. The major part of those which are grown, in the District of Maid- stone, and inthe Weald of Kent, are sent, in boys, down the Medway: creating, in the height of the season, an extraordinary scene of hurry and bustle, in the streets, and on the keys of Maidstone. A considerable portion, however, is some- times sent, by land carriage; especially when the demand, in London, is brisk, and the price fluctuating. The voyage, by water, is uncertain: requiring two or three winds to compleat it. 26, 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 283 ths The loads, sent by land, are frequently “_| of extraordinary size and height: and a ae 6 oo| peculiarity, in the method. of loading them, ae ae deserves notice: it has doubtless arisen out“1h 6 15 9 of long experience. The road being con-, .°; vex, and it being the custom, of England, P|) 416 0 for carriages to keep the left hand side of y 5$0 the road, in travelling, the load is inten- Pi RG tionally made to incline to the right; to| 1. yi prevent it, In the great length of the jour- iy ney, thirtyfive miles, from shifting to the a hops left; as well as to throw an equal weight| or On upon the wheels. A principle, that might|| well be applied, to other top loads, intended i F those to be drawn on barrel roads. i Maid- PRODUCE. The produce of orchard i ¢ sent, fruit is not less certain than that of hops. In|! ing, in some years, few are collected; even by the: I dinary country at large: in many years, there are i sre individuals, in every part of it, who reap\f no benefit from their labors, and expences,| 5 some enormous as they are: or, perhaps, give whe the few that hang partially on their vines, “ith to the workmen, for what is called f stack Fis ing the poles;”—that-is drawing, stripping, and piling them. winds pee 284 HO F's. 26. On the contrary, in some years, and in particular grounds, the poles are loaded, so as to bend under their weight; and the vines, and even the leaves, are in a manner covered with hops; especially upon the tops of the poles: while the slender branches, which hang down, in the intervals, are loaded to the ground. Particular poles, of thisdescription, are sometimes carried about, by the workpeople, in exultation. One in- stance is mentioned(and the fact asserted) in which a small piece of ground, in the Maidstone quarter, produced at the rate of twelve bags, or a ton anda half, an acre; which extraordinary produce was sold, at the rate of five pounds, the hundredweight, or of one hundred and fifty pounds, an acre, for one year’s produce. The medium produce, BY THE ACRE, IS estimated at‘“* four bags,” or half a ton. Eight bags, or a ton, an acre, is considered as a very great produce; answering, in point of magnitude, to five or six quarters of wheat, an acre. In 1790, when the crop, with respect to quantity, was considerably above par, the prevailing produce was five bags; some grounds bore six bags, an acre. af 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. a5 ind in The produce of inpivipuALs, in a plen- ed,| tiful year, is of course, very great, Mr. d the Mercer of Tudeley, whose name has been anhier repeatedly mentioned, grew, in many years ‘tops of his long practice, from fifty to a hundred ches, tons, a year. es The produce of Kent, admitting that, at 8 of half a ton an acre, it pays{50,000 duty, bout, may be laid at ten thousand acres; which, e In- on an average of years, bear five thousand ted) ton of hops.: the These, however, are merely rough esti- e of mates; to convey general ideas on the sub- cre; ject It belongs to POLITICAL, not to RURAL, d, at ECONOMY, to collect data of this sort. ight, EXPENCES. The ANNUAL EXPENCE, acre, which is constantly, and necessarily, in- curred, by an acre of hop ground, properly RE, IS cultivated, is estimated at twenty pounds; ton, exclusively of that of picking, drying,&c.; Jered‘which is uncertain, and depends on the quan- 5, il tity produced.* But the whole of this po- sais pular.round sum, I never heard fairly made mp out. It is calculated in different ways. The ably five* Picking, carriage, drying, stowing, and packing, sore. inay be estimated at fifteen to twenty pounds, a ton,| 286 HOPS. 26. following is the estimate of a man, conver- sant in the subject. if vsyids Rent,£3. tithe, 155. taxes, 5s. 4 0 0 Manure, carriage, preparing, and putting on,- 4,9 0 Poles,=~"60.6 Labor,*=~ 400 £18,060 DURATION of hop grounds. This de- pends, wholly, on the nature of the Lanp; and, chiefly, if not entirely, on its substrata. From every observation I made, in West Kent, and from the whole of the evidence I collected in it, hops require, not only an ABSORBENT, but a CALCAREOUS BASE, to ren- der them durable. The soil itself may be improved; and there are instances in which soils of the lowest quality, for ordinary cul- tivation, have afforded full burdens of hops. But no art has yet been discovered, to induce * There are men who work, constantly, in the hop grounds, through the year; except in hay time and har- vest; under the name of‘* hop-ground men.” A man of this sort, I understand, works three or four acres; beside his hay and corn harvest, and hop picking.| ah 26. DISTRICT OF‘MAIDSTONE. 287 ver. lands, withnon-calcareous subsoils, to endure in thiscrop. Even the rich silts of the Tun- .,| bridge quarter, though incumbent on absor- 10 bent bases,seldom throw up more, thanten=, or twelve profitable crops. On thestronger 0 lands of the Weald, which have firmer bases, 9 their duration is nearly the same. While + on the strong rich loams, of the Maidstone be quarter, which rest on rock and calcareous 0 rubble, they may be deemed peRPETUAL. ere There are grounds’ of which no man, now fe living, can remember the first planting. nae If particular hills fail, the decayed roots mi are taken up, and fresh ones planted. If, Vest ss: through. disease,- or the attack of vermin, Aa the entire ground is affected, the whole is ly at sometimes grubbed, in autumn, and re- tis planted in the spring; in which case,.the aye plants, on the last description of land, readi- whit ly take root, and flourish. But not so, in the youl Tunbridge quarter; where the lands, after hops they have given out their usual number of nde crops, will not bear replanting; but are 7 thrown open, again, to the ordinary crops a of husbandry. ie In one instance, which I had an oppor= 0108} tunity of observing, the change was made, or 288 HO PS. 26. rather making, in a judicious manner. The last crop of hops had just been gathered, and the poles were under removal; leaving the ground in possession of a fine crop of turneps; which had been raised under the hops; and which would give place, in the spring, to barley and ley herbage. & GENERAL REMARKS ON HOPS, AS A SPECIES OF FAKM PRODUCE. Lands which are kept, continually, in a state of hop ground, as in the Maidstone. quarter of this district, cannot, with strict propriety, be classed among farm lands; as they are properly GARDEN GROUNDs. But where, as in the Tunbridge quarter, the. Weald, and on all the weaker non- calcareous lands, their duration is limited, where eight, ten, or twelve years, make up the full age of a hop ground, and where they are succeeded by ordinary farm pro- duce, they become in reality, and strictly, a CROP IN HUSBANDRY. The DIsADVANTAGES that attend the cul- tivation of hops, on a corn farm, are not so numerous, or great, as they, have generally a 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 28g Y. The been imagined. Nevertheless, they are not ae altogether imaginary. ne During a late corn harvest, when the hop girl picking presses too closely upon it, the in- ler the terference becomes injurious, to the one or in the the other. In 1790, I saw several instances, in which beans were injured, for want of that attention, which was exclusively be- SPECIE stowed on the“ hopping;” to which every other concern becomes subordinate. And beside the disagreeableness already ly ina‘mentioned, the unceasing hurry and bustle, autstoue. occasioned by a mob of itinerant work- thst people, far exceeding those of hay or corn 1 lands; harvest, break in upon the calmer employ- ROUNDS, ments of husbandry. These inconveniences, quartet, however, are incident to the hop culture, or Nol only, when it is much extended, beyond the limited, population of a given neighbourhood: and, ake up even there, if the profits are found to pay where for the trouble incurred, it would ill become np the character of an industrious husbandman, ictlna to flinch, on this account. With respect to the disadvantage, so often cule and strongly urged, by those who have not oso had sufficient opportunity of investigating sally| the subject, as an insuperable bar to the hop ne VOL. I. U 290 HOPS. 26. culture,—namely, that of robbing the farm of manure,—it has been already shown, that the evil is not so great, or alarming, as has generally been conceived, or represented. In situations where extraneous manures can be had, it has little weight, as an objec- tion to the practice; and it would have less, if the vines and foliage of the hops were reduced to a state of mucilage, and returned to the land, in the character of manure. The spirit of speculation and gambling,* which at present hovers over the practice, and sheds poison on those who are engaged in it, appears to be its most dangerous at- tendant. During what may be called the gambling season, the market meetings re- semble, in uproar and agitation, the bear baitings, at Jonathan’s, rather than the sober meetings of industrious thoughtful husband- men. Speculation, or gambling(for the terms are become perfectly synonimous) in * By making forehand bargains; and by betting on the productiveness of the growing crop; the wagers(fre- quently of high amount) to be decided by the amount of the duty, which government will receive, for hops grown in that year; either in“¢ Kent,” or‘ all England.” { y)) ay “26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 291 the farm sil.. wh, tha trade, Is its present support, and will proba- Hi bly be its downfall. But husbandry, which esented has the weight of human existence to sus- aati tain, requires a firmer basis. And every tebjes precaution should be used, to prevent its ee sporting in the air, in imitation of modern hop commerce. ot The apvanTaces of the hop culture, to 7 the farmer, at least, are seen, not only in acter 0 the eagerness with which it is grasped at, but by the affluence which it has diffused, bling, and the properties it has aided to accumu- ractice, late. And I met with nothing like an au- ngaged thentic evidence, in this district, to show, TOUS at that it is injurious to an estate. On the con- lle i trary, it is probable, that the present high {Ings Its state of cultivation of this country, may be, the bea in some measure, owing to the increase of he sober property spread over it, by the hop cul- usband- ture. And, while the prices keep up, so as for the to render it a profitable branch of husban- nous) dry, landlords would seem to have little to fear, from the practice. For, so far at least gone as the hop culture extends, the lands are is it sure to be found in a high state of cultiva- as| tion; and full of condition, for any other me| crop. Us . 5-= re ae——~ pee Bee Ber—~ SS i ae ae ee = IE=~_ SS are Sa 2 ie= 292 HiO'P:S. 266 There are many parts of England, in which hops might be grown, with advan- tage; and, perhaps, no part ought, in strict propriety, when viewed in a public light, to grow more than its own inhabitants, or the extra hands of harvest, can gather in. Be- side, by spreading the culture, unnecessary carriage, and the accumulation of commis- sion money, and dealers’ profits, which con- sumers, in many parts of the kingdom, now pay; would be avoided. It is observable, however, that the South of England has an advantage over the North, in the earliness of its harvests; and over the central parts of the kingdom, in the calca- reosity of its lands; and over every other part of the Island, in having the metropolis, the principal place of consumption, and the heart through which the produce circulates, to every part, within its own bosom. Ne- vertheless, there are many situations, in the northern provinces, where deep rich loams lie on calcareous substrata, in which limited quantities might be grown, with profit, to the cultivator, and the community. ~ IMPROVEMENTS SUGGESTED. It may be said, with much plausibility, that ——s§ 2b, nd, in advan- n strict cht, to or the Be- sary mmis- h con- 1, NOW south orth, et the calca- “other opolis, nd the ulates, Ne- in the loams imited 66:| DISTRICT-OF MAIDSTONE.. 293 one, who is unpracticed in an art, is not likely to point out practical improvements. On the other hand, it may be advanced, and perhaps with greater force, that one who has long been habituated to rural practices, who has, moreover, studied the cultivation of the crop under notice, with a degree of attention and solicitude, which(it may be asserted, I believe, without risk) no other man has bestowed upon it, and who has not only viewed the general subject, in a com- prehensive light, but has analyzed every part, and arranged the several facts, belong- ing to it, in the order in which they rise in practice, thereby gaining a comprehensive Cc Cc 4 view of the whole and every part, 1s the most likely to throw fresh light on the sub- ject. For it may be assumed, that, when a practitioner has been struck with an idea of improvement, he forthwith carried it into practice; and, of course, that the foregoing register(which contains the present practice of superior managers) includes the ideas of improvement, which have hitherto been con-~ ceived, by professional men, who have prac- ticed the art. Even should the suggestions, which follow, convey no practical informa- ae a 294. HOPS. gr 2.6. tion, they may serve to unbend the minds of mere practitioners, and give birth to ideas| that may lead to practical improvements. In either case, the intention of publishing them will be answered. I am the more emboldened to risk these remarks(as well as those which are inter- spersed in different parts of this section), since no rational inquiry into the subject, appears to have taken place, among prac- tical men. The higher branches of the art are hid in the clouds of mystery; and suc- cess or miscarriage is attributed to fortune. The leading principle, in the cultivation of hops, as of fruit, evidently appears to be that of endeavouring, as much as human art is able, to produce a CROP EVERY YEAR. In a plentiful season, of either, the price is ge- nerally so low, and the expence of gathering the crop so great, that the real profits be- come inconsiderable, when compared with the exhaustion which they have occasioned; and which seldom fails to operate as a bar, or check, to the produce of succeeding crops. It is well understood, that the greatest pro- fits, which have been made, by the hop culture, have arisen from fortunate hits;— ff 11 4b, Minds 0 Ideas Ments, ishing these nter- ion), bject, prac- le art Suc une, tion to be An art R. In Is ge- ering 5 be- with med: a bat rops. pro: hop b) 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 295 from a man’é happening to have a full crop, in a year of scarcity, when the price has been immoderately high. If we view this principle in a public light, it is equally eligible. What the consumer wants is an annual supply, of fresh hops, at moderate and equable prices. Yet well understood, as these facts are, in the hop districts, no rational plan of management, calculated to grow a moderate crop every year, appears to have been thought of, and, in nowise, to have been attempted to be carried into! practice. On the contrary, every nerve 1s strung, by prac- titioners in general, to force up an inordi- nate growth of vine; and, by that means, either to bring on diseases, which frustrate their intentions; or, in a bearing year, to destroy the productiveness of their grounds, for the next, and perhaps the next succeed~ ing year.* But thus it is, in the fruit-liquor * Lest what has been said, aforegoing, respecting the mould being occasioned, by too great richness of soil, and abortiveness, by a want of strength, should not be sufficiently explicit, it may be right to say, here, that the former I conceive to be a disease of the plant, brought on by too great a luxuriance of growth, the —————— a 296 HOPS. 26. districts. The orchardmen, there, by suf- fering their trees to grow wild, and full of wood, gather a crop, once in. two or three years; when the country is deluged with liquor, that is barely worth the labor of manufacture: while the fruit gardener, by thinning his trees, and giving the fruit-bear- ing-branches fresh air, and daylight, ga- thers, generally speaking, a crop every year. What I am desirous of suggesting to the hop grower is, to imitate the gardener, rather than the fruit-liquor orchardman. Totraina proper number of strong healthy vines, to a proper height; and, by every possible means, to prevent too great a luxuriance of growth, in the early part of summer. For, as has been intimated, it is not the length and burden of vines, but the quantity and quality of the hops they bear, which repay him his labor and ex- pences. To the planters of the District oF Marpstong, all Iam desirous of recom- : latter a weakness of the root, comparatively with the inordinate burden of stem and foliage it has to support, and the superabundance of fruit it has to bear, especially after it has been over-exhausted, by preceding crops, sikelele ee Is= al ai by suf. full dt three d with bor of er, by bears {, ga- every to the lener, man, althy every eat a art of d, it is 5, but they d ex TRIOT eco A the port, cially " ps 96. DISTRICT. OF MAIDSTONE. 297 mending is, that they will apply the same principle, to their hop grounds, which they have long applied, with success, to their orchards; and that they will pay the same, or a similar, attention to the growth of their hop vines, as to their apple trees, and filbert shrubs. Their superior management of these will appear insthe next section. The first consideration, in devising the means of producing strong healthy vines, arid hops of a superior quality, evidently appears to be THE PROPER DISTRIBUTION OF THE PLANTS: sucha one, that the vines, when fully grown, shall have sufficient air and sun; and the roots sufficient range, to prevent their interfering with each other, when every exertion is wanted to mature the crop; but no more than is sufficient for these purposes. If I were to offer a hint, on this.particular, it would be to increase the present distance between the hills, and to lessen the number of trained vines: thus, instead of a thousand vines, to each acre, train only three fourths of that number: set out the hills, at half a rod square: give to each hill four poles; and to each pole three vines. a= o-->= 398 HOPS.; 26. The next endeavor, towards gaining the same desireable end, appears to be that of REGULATING THE GROWTH OF THE PLANTS. The vines, on their first appearance, or emersion, have many enemies; and it ap- pears to be prudent, to endeavor to push them forward, at that time; to enable them to pass this dangerous period, as quick as possible. Keeping the soil of the hills, and their immediate outskirts, in full condition, is a probable mean, for obtain- ing this end. Again; if, in the early stages of their growth, the trained vines ap- pear languid, remove the whole, or a due portion, of the spare vines; and thereby endeavor to throw fresh vigor, into those which are in training. Further; if, in the more advanced stages of their growth, the leaders flag, or do not push upward, with sufficient speed, remove the lateral branches of the lower parts of the vines; and thus send up an additional supply of strength, to the heads. On the contrary, if the growth of the plants, in every stage, is found to be sufficiently rapid, let the spare vines, and lower branches, remain, until the plants are preparing to blow; and, then, if the growth a 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. INg the to 99 is not already too luxuriant, take away that of such part of them, as will furnish the fruit LANTS, bearing branches, with sufficient strength, ces ion at this important crisis: ever considering the It ap- superfluous parts of the plants, as regulators ) push of the productiveparts; instead of heedlessly nable displacing them, at some customary time, od, as without any regard to the season, or the of the growth of the plants. in full Also, by a proper management of the btain- intervals, something may be done, towards early regulating the growth of the plants. Where- Sap- ever the soil is, in any degree, retentive of a due superfluous moisture, it is insulting common ereby sense, to suffer it to lie flat, during the those winter and spring months: and it strikes in the me with force, that, 7z all cases, the intervals h, the ought to be gathered into beds, by a deep with plowing, at the usual time of giving the nches autumnal digging that has been mentioned: ‘thus not altogether with the view of laying the th, to hills, as well as the soil of the intervals, per- oth fectly dry, during the winter season; but, tobe jointly, with that of cutting, piecemeal, the and radical shoots of the preceding year; there- sare by forwarding their digestion: and, more- wth over, with that of communicating air, and 300 HOPS: 26. the species of melioration which the atmo- sphere indisputably imparts, to the parent roots; thus enabling them, the better, to hasten the infant vines, over the period of danger. As the rising vines reguire additional pasturage, throw back such part of the soil of the intervals, as will duly regulate their growth; ever reserving as much as can pro- perly be spared, from the requisite growth of the vines, for the SEASON OF BLOWING, and the GROWTH and MATURATION of the FRUIT. And rather remove every useless branch, and untrained vine, than not keep back a reserve of fresh pasturage, for the SEASON OF FRUCTIFICATION. By this method of throwing the soil, leisurely, to the roots of the plants, the in- fluence of the atmosphere would not only be much greater, than it would be in plow- ing, or is in digging, the entire interval, at once; but this influence would continually fall on the part where it would be most wanted: beside the additional advantage of giving birds, and vermin, a favorable oppor- tunity of picking up, at their leisure, and without alarm, the worms, grubs, and ani- t keep ot only ‘plow- ‘val, at nual) ye Inast tage of por 2, and d alli: } t a6. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. jor malcules, which the plow would expose. Thus tending, in a variety of ways, to the benefit of the sicceeding, as well as to the growing crop. It is unnecessary to say, that the intervals would require to be freed from weeds, in the spring; and might require more culture than two plowings could afford it: digging the whole over, by hand, in the early part of the spring; hoing the reserved slips, afterward; and shoveling the entire sur- face, before the picking; might be found most eligible. If, during the maturation, the crop should appear to flag, notwithstanding every exer- tion to promote it, let it be tried, whether cutting part of the trained vines, at a suf- ficient distance from the ground to pre- vent their bleeding, might not throw fresh strength into the rest; and, by this means, save some portion of the crop. On the contrary, if the trained vines, in defiance of every effort to prevent them, still continue to exuberate, and outgrow themselves, as well as over-top their sup- porters, strike off the leading branches; and thus, like the gardener, in his management ae a y i a \y & q el 302 HOPS. 26. of the bean, endeavor to give fruitfulness to the remaining parts: and, perhaps, in doing this, give a check to the licentious- ness of growth, in future. For, although fresh vines are sent up, annually, the same INSTINCT, Which pervades all Livinc Na- TURE, may direct the roots to send up, thenceforward, a less licentious offspring. The effects of pruning perennial climbers is well known: the honeysuckle is not only rendered firm, in its growth, but fruitful, by continuing to take off its exuberant branches; and, in the culture of the grape vine, the hop planter May receive some useful hints. Viewing the nature of the hop plant, in this light, a precaution, in training young vines, may perhaps be practised with advan- tage. Instead of eagerly advancing them, to poles of the greatest height, in two or three years, persevere in giving them poles below their strength; and by this expedient, endeavor to furnish them with a strong robust habit, and thus enable them to resist, with greater firmness, the attacks of their numerous enemies; confirming this habit, afterward, by under poling, in years of luxu- =——SSSSNSE EEE pa > 2h 26. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 303 tfulnes riant growth; and striking off the exu- aps, in berant branches; even though such a con- Ntlous. duct might be of certain disadvantage to though the crop, in that particular year: proceed- e Same ing, throughout, on the general principle 3 NA= of preventing an excess of fruit, in a plen- id up, tiful season: ever keeping in view the more pring, profitable object of producing, with greater imbers certainty than at present, a crop every year. t only uitful, erant some a eA ORCHARDS. ‘young bas THE METROPOLIS has long been sup- a plied with orchard fruit, from this county; ol and mostly from this part of it: where the sik quantity of orchard ground is, at present, oi increasing.. id Some years ago, when hops bore a higher ah price than fruit, many orchards were con- verted into hop grounds. This, in its na- abit, tural consequence, occasioned a scarcity of 204. ORCHARDS. 274 fruit; and an over supply of hops. Now, the practice is reverberating; and we see, in every part of the district, young orchard trees, and most especially filberts, rearing their heads, in hop grounds. The production of TaBLe FRuIT being rather a part of the gardener’s, than the husbandman’s charge, my attentions to the orchard management, of this district, were less anxious and minute, than they were in the CIDER counTIES. Nevertheless, I was not altogether inattentive to the practice of the District or MAIDSTONE; as, in many respects, it might well be held up, as a pat- tern, to what may be emphatically termed the fruit-liquor districts. The SPECIES OF FRUIT, cultivated in the orchards of Kent, are APPLES, CHER= RIES, FILBERTS, and some PEARS. WaAL- NUTS and CHESNUTS may also be reckoned among the Kentish fruits; though they are seldom seen in orchards.* * WaALNuT TREES. About the ruins of ALLING- TON CASTLE, near Maidstone, there are some of ex- traordinary size.‘I'wo of them girted, in 1790, at five feet high, twelve feet, each. One of the stems mea- sured ten feet in height; of course contained upwards Ss 4h 27, DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 305 Noy, It is observable, however, that the curs- rE See, In NuT, even in this genial part of the Island, Orchard affords an uncertain produce of fruit; which rearing does not mature, in a cool moist season; though, in some years, it is very profit- being able. lan the Of apPpLEs there are numerous varieties. S to the In one range of fruit lofts,[saw near twenty ct, Were different sorts of marketable fruit. were in It is to be observed, that, in Kent, as in s, I was the cider countries, the old favorite kinds actice of are gone, or going off. The Kentish pip- 1 many pin, and the golden rennet, are no longer $a pat. in propagation, and the golden pippin is + termed become unproductive. Of pears the quantity grown is incon- sltrratet siderable. Indeed, the soil of the orchard ai grounds, in general, is unsuitable to this or. species of fruit; though singularly adapted | to the apple. On the cold clayey lands of eckoned re. hei the south-eastern margin of the district, they are:: pears might probably be grown, with profit. 7 of two tons of timber. One arm of the other reached Cod out, fifty feet from the stem; and the height of the ws tree, by estimation, was sixty feet. They were then pa ve in a growing state. I mention them as being the largest ms mea- I have measured. upiran VOL. I. Xx aia™ metres ae~=- rs= a 306 ORCHARDS. a. See GLOCESTERSHIRE, on the appropriate soils, for pears and apples. Of cHERRIES there are many varieties, in cultivation. But I did not collect their names, or peculiar qualities. T he favorite black cherry of Kent, the oldest variety, now in cultivation, I believe, is declining; and is difficult to raise: so true it evidently appears, that all CULTIVATED VARIETIES, of each and every class and species of vege- tables, are TEMPORARY; enduring but for -a time. Of ritBeRTS* there are also varieties: but they are not so numerous, I believe, as those of either of the other species. The SITES of orchards, in the district under view, seem to be merely fortuitous; excepting so far as relatesto the LAND. In regard to LOCALITY, though they are not so widely spread over farm lands, here, as in Herefordshire, they are not invariably attached to gardens, and homestalls, as they mostly are, in the kingdom at large. And, *FrLpert. Thisis merely a variety of the HAZEL. In some provincial dialects I have heard it called the “¢ full-beard’’—and the fruit,“¢ fullbeards.” Is not this the etymon? — Po eT a ee ON| Sa‘ a Se san a ma; sy yi, | a7. DISTRICT:OF’MAIDSTONE. 307 Proprate with respect to aspecT, I met with nothing Po which engaged my notice, either in the varietie practice, or the opinion, of the orchardmen ect they of West Kent. favorite The LANDS, in the best repute, for Variety, orchard grounds, are coomb, on calcareous ‘lining: rubble; and deep loams, on rock, of asimi- vidently lar nature. ETIES, of For AppLes, these lands are singularly of vege. eligible: affording fair and saccharine fruit. but for See GLOCESTERSHIRE, And, for FILBERTS, they are equally de- rieties: sirable. Indeed, it seems to be understood, lieve, as that they cannot be cultivated, with profit, on lands of.any other description. In tra- > district velling between Tunbridge and Maidstone, rtuitous; the first filbert grounds, that meet the eye, snp. Ih are to the eastward of Mereworth, where are not the rich calcareous lands, in that line of here, as road, commence. variably It is observable, that filberts are consi- , as they dered, as great impoverishers of the Soil: Fe And and that they are peculiarly unfriendly to hops that grow near them. This may rea- he AAZEL. dily be accounted for, in the extraordinary ia mats, or bundles of fibers, which the roots g not Us of the filbert form; so as to occupy the Xe 308 ORCHARDS. 27. entire soil; doubtless, to the great annoy- ance of their weaker neighbours. But it is well known, that, under proper manage- ment, they are, in themselves, a most pro- fitable crop. And the mass of vegetable matter, accumulated by their roots, may, when the plants are removed, become of essential and lasting benefit to the soil. PLANTING. Under this head, I shall only mention the MrxTuRE of fruits; and the DISPOSITION, and DISTANCES of the plants. In converting HOP GROUNDS into orchards, the larger trees, as the apple and the cherry, only, are planted; and these, in lines, from twenty to forty feet asunder. When cher- ries, alone, are planted, twenty feet is a common distance. I have seen apples and cherries standing, alternately, at thesame dis- tance; which, in this case, is not ineligible; as the cherries decay, long before the apples receive their full growth. Forty feet, how- ever, is a greater space, than is necessary, for apple trees, in close orchards. See GLo- CESTERSHIRE. But, in laying out VACANT SITES, linesof Alberts are usually planted, between those of taller trees; and, while the trees are 2, 2, DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 309 ee young, lines of hops are cultivated, in the , interspaces: so that the entire ground 1s, at anage- once, occupied. it pro- In the practice of the best and most etable intelligent orchardman, I have conversed ay with—Mr. James Forster of Farley—I ste ol saw some highly cultivated young orchard grounds, on the following plan. Apple I shall trees, in squares of ten yards, with a grown and the filbert between every two apples, in each lants. direction; thus forming cross lines of apples shards, and filberts, five yards asunder: the num- herry, ber of filberts being to that of apples, as ;, from three to one. And, to occupy the land, n cher still more fully, smaller filberts were train- et IS a ing’, in the interspaces: the soil, in this case, ples and being of a superior quality; and peculiarly ame dis- favorable to the filbert. ligible In the TRAINING of young orchards, 2 apples the particulars that require to be noticed, t, how- are the judicious manner, in which the scessat' BOUGHS are led out, from the crown of the se(0 stem; the PRUNING of the. heads, from superfluous wood; and cLEANING them, Jnesof from moss and other foulness: operations 1 those which have been spoken of, in describing nas alle the HEREFORDSHIRE practice. ee| 310 ORCHARDS. 275 The HErcuT, or length of stem, is that of the rest of the kingdom;—Devonshire ex- cepted. An application, for GUARDING the STEMs, from sheep and hares, and, some will say, for nourishing the trees, is entitled to notice. It is simply a white-wash, com- posed of lime, night soil, and water; of such a consistency, as to be put on with a brush. Not only the lower part, within the reach of sheep, but the whole stem, is fre- quently seen smeared over, with this pre- servative. GRAFTING. It is observable, that the same easy, but illjudged method, of putting ‘in the grafts of orchard trees, prevails here, as in Hereforshire,&c.: namely, that of cut- ting off the natural crown of the stem! and setting the grafts in the cleft stump. See GLOCESTERSHIRE, on an evil attend- ing this practice, and the means of avoid- ing it. Another evil, of this method of grafting, occurred to me, in the district under view. It is incident to the cHERRY: being a dis- ease, called the gum, which takes place, about the crown of the stem; at the parting 0 aT DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 311 “ie am that of the boughs; and affects the head of the Ire eX tree.: y The cause of this disorder is evident. The /t cultivated varieties are grafted on the wild e cherry: the wood of the grafts is of course ire, freer, swells faster, than that of the stock. aan The boughs grow too large for the stem:: ie a they want freedom to swell to their natural ithe, size: the circulation Js checked; and the f adh gum breaks out. This theory is confirmed] on by a discovery, which hasrecently been made,. Ja to. cure the gum; by cutting deep notches ae or clefts, between the boughs: and this gives temporary relief; by giving the freedom i the required. But so soon as the chasm is ane closed, or the boughs again join in the con-| here flict, the disorder returns. of cut. I had an opportunity of seeing these, sf stem| effects, in the grounds of Mr. RanpDa. a stump. of Maidstone,—a spirited ayd ingenious ttend- nurseryman,—who has paid singular atten- avoid- tion to the disorders of trees; though he had not discovered the cause of the disorder| afting, under notice: a disease which might with rye certainty be avoided, by grafting the boughs. (lise By inserting the grafts, in the stumps of place, three or more boughs, pointing in different arting 212 ORCHARDS. 27. directions(instez f cuttine of the crow Wrecuons{instead Ol cutting O the crow It, ith the natural bond and union ¢+}~ a4 a y-} SY of the branches!!) not only the gum(here — Cy| fo a) i y+ tho sp] thong f} Fa2me spoxen Oi Dut the splitting ofr tne Ssrelris i f~+ ay=\.> (noticed in Glocestershire) may be pre- \ vented. In the MANAGEMENT of crown ORCHARDS, this district far exceeds every other I have examined. or ae “~~ c™ Sa ae[>2y* TYVCT OW ere+} ae d‘d In some particular instances, the standat tak~~ ve Cc the attention that is usually bestowed, on t l tree, and espalier, of the fruit | el= ie at f; 25 to be detected. in any part of it. The corks ici at is eS p! actice Ol! LihiS@.Lbf GUi Gi Lary man mignt -~ be held up asa pattern.* And I observed a Crown, | union 1(here stems pre- ROWN ey cary andard |, with d, on fruit \ ob- eet tn $ twig The might nserved ire prac- a, to the he idea of replied— Si and not up 0 soil(in liorated, in soms 2», DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 313 several other orchards, in the district, which appeared to be under similar management. Yet, in the very same district, there are orchards, which are as full of wood, moss, and miseltoe, as those of the cider countries! The FILBERT is trained and pruned, with equal or greater solicitude. The trees, or rather shrubs, are moulded into a form, re- sembling that of the drinking cup, which has a short foot or pedicle: the outer sur- face being somewhat semi-globular; the inner parts hollow, or dishing. In the su- perior practice, which I have thought right to bring forward, as one which is entitled to particular notice, the grown plants are about five feet, in diameter; and are kept down to five or six feet, high. And, at the time I first saw. them, in the middle of August, 1790, degree, at least, from the roots of weeds, as well as from grubs and insects; and what is perhaps of more benefit to the trees, fresh air is, by this means, let down to their roots; without materially injuring them. Might not these natural cultivators be employed, on other occa- sions: particularly, in young plantations? or, more ge- nerally perhaps, where couch grass abounds; to whose roots they are partial. = 314 ORCHARDS. 27 many of the bows were literally bend- ing, under the load of fruit, they had to bear. The leaves, which, under this treat- ment are of extraordinary size, continued, in the middle of September, to wear a gross appearance, and to retain their dark green color. Filbert trees, trained in this manner, on the rich, calcareous lands of the district of Maidstone, are spoken of as highly pro- fitable. In the GATHERING of fruit, woMEN are chiefly employed! CHERRIES are ga- thered, almost entirely, by women. The rRuIT LADDERS of Kent are, as might reasonably be expected in a market-fruit district, well constructed. The long ladder, for gathering the fruit of the upper boughs, is spread out wide at the bottom, in propor- tion to its height: the feet, of the longest, spreading to three feet, or upward; and the sides approaching, with curved lines, so as to reach the ordinary width of a ladder, at six or eight feet high. This breadth of base gives great security: not only in assisting to prevent the ladder, from swerving, side- “ways, but from turning, when it bears, par- tially, at the top. 2 STOSS green inner, istrict y pro- ‘OMEN e ga- night Sit adder, aughs, ‘por ngest, d the gO as er, at f base stg side= pat DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 315 For gathering the fruit of the lower, cut- stretching boughs, too slender to permit a ladder to bear against them without injury, a sort of double ladder is in use. One part of it isa common short ladder; the other, a mere stay or support, with a spreading base, like that described: their tops being loosely united, by an iron bolt; which ope- rates as a hinge; and permits the ladder to be raised, somewhat higher or lower; as well as to be moved, from place to place, with greater ease. In the PRESERVATION of fruit, I observed nothing of superior management. Apples are thrown into heaps, or are laid up in a kind of rough bins; in which they are deposited, perhaps three or four feet thick. Yet, in this state, they are said to be pre- served until late in the spring. Indeed, I heard it asserted, by a very intelligent or- chardman, that apples will keep, longer, in this way, than they will, if spread out thin- ner. In mild weather, the windows of the lofts, or store rooms, are kept open, to per- mit a circulation of fresh air, and to prevent their heating too much; but are shut, as frost sets in: if intense, the bins, or heaps, are covered up with straw. AN ese il— bitepe 2 ee Se al =e piace se ae UW en sie amet RIS 316 ORCHARDS. 23. The MARKETS, for fruit, are the MrE- TROPOLIS, the PORTS, and TOWNS, on the Thames and Medway; and ScoTLAND,— for which considerable quantities of apples are shipped, annually; being purchased by dealers, from that part of the Island. And some, I believe, are sent, coastwise, to Nor- folk, and other counties, on the eastern coast. Those which go to London are either bought by dealers, in the country, or are sent up, by the growers, to the“‘ FRUIT FAC- tors,” of the different markets; mostly, or wholly, by water; and, in baskets, of one r two bushels each; packed in straw: be- ing previously sorted; so as to make those of each basket of the same size and qua- lity,.* * In 1797, I observed, in the practice of a judicious manager, a most eligible mode of DISPOSAL of OR- CHARD FRUIT. The agreement was for so much, Ay measure, for the whole orchard of apples, on the trees; he, the seller, finding one man, to assist in gathering,— to superintend the measuring,—and to see that no un- necessary damage was done to the trees. Thus, the purchaser preserved them, in his own way 5 and the grower was relieved, from any further care, or risk, of the crop. For aman, whose attention 1s much occu- pied, this appears to be a most eligible mode of disposal. he 4), the yp. 3; ON the LAND,— f apple lased by d, And to Nor- eastern re either » OF are NT FAC stly, or , of one aw: be- ke those and qua- : judicious L of OF » much, 4 n the tree j atherltg)— hat n0 UN Thus, the and the iy risk, of ych occu f disposal 27: DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 317 CIDER. In a country whose orchards are planted, with a view to the production of MARKET FRUIT, an accuracy in the ma- nufacture of FRUIT LIQUOR, cannot be rea- sonably expected: even though, in a plen- tiful year, the surplus of the market supply, and ina common year, the outcasts of the sorting room, are appropriated to liquor. In my account of the HEREFORDSHIRE practice, I had occasion to mention the CIDER MILL of the southern counties.(See GLOCESTERSHIRE.) In this district, there is a variety of the hobnail mill, in use. In- stead of the wheel or barrel being set with real hobnails, it is furnished with pyrami- dal spikes, or points; and, instead of its working against an upright slab, set with similar nails, it is placed at the end of a trough, which receives the fruit from a hop- per, fixed above; and merely acts against the fruit as it lies in the trough or shoot. But to increase the resistance, the apples are thrust against the wheel, by hand; with a rammer, fitted to the size of the trough; which is open at both ends. The operations of PRESSING and FER- MENTING, did not fall under my notice. 318 ORCHARDS. 27. But, after having examined, with every ad- vantage, the superior practice of Heretord- shire,&c. little, it is probable could have been learned, from the incidental practice of Kent.* Before I dispatch this short notice, of the fruit liquors of the district of Maidstone, it might be wrong not to mention one of a peculiar kind, which I was favored with an opportunity of tasting, under the name of GAZLE WINE; which, in color and flavor, and perhaps in wholesomeness, approaches nearer to red port, than any other wine I have met with, of the manufacture of this Island. This species of fruit may be grown, and readily. collected, in any quantity, in this country; and seeing, or rather feeling, as many a man needs must, the melancholy * In 1797, I was informed that a dealer, in Maid- ’ stone, manufactures liquor of a fine quality. And, after ‘the minute details which I have published, of the best Bractices of HEREFORDSHIRE and GLOc ESTERSHIRE, we may hope to find good liquor made, in every part of the kingdom, where there is good fruit enough grown to make it from. In Devonshire, a similar instance of improvement has taken place. +« Gaz.e” is the provincial name of RIBES 7I- grum; Or BLACK CURRANT. 2), ery a retord. d have ractice of the Oe, it le of a with an lame of d flavor proaches vel have 5{sland, wn, and Tn this ling, a ancholy in Maid- nd, afte the best RSHIRE, y part of prown{0 nt ¢ of ES Me 23. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 319 price, which port wine has been lately made to bear, a fit substitute for it would, doubt- less, be acceptable, to most men, and might be a valuable boon to the country. The process of manufacture, I under- stand, is merely that of macerating the fruit, in an equal quantity of cold water, two or three days; then boiling the whole, slowly, until the fruit is dissolved; when the liquor is strained off. Reboil the liquor, gently, a short time; and add a quantity of sugar, proportioned to the given richness of the fruit. Ferment, and lay up» agreeably to tae methods ee with other’ fruit-li- quors.| ¥*&, The GROUND OF ORCHARDS. It appears, afGregoing,, that, in some cases, the interspaces Gf young orchards are occupied, by Hops; in others, by FILBERTs. And, in grown orchards, the filbert is frequently. seen 5 though far from generally. Some old orchards are in permanent swarp; others bear ARABLE Or GARDEN CROPS: bende are iN SAINFOIN; Othersin LUCERN. Inthe prac- tice of a superior manager, I observed the soil of a young orchard occupied by lucern, growing at random, or in the broadcast pt PR rT 49 320 ORCHARDS. a7. manner; though, an this case, rows, with clean hoen intervals, would have been less injurious to the young trees. Remark. Upon the whole, the practice of Kent may be safely recommended, as the fittest subject of study, which the Island at present affords, with respect to the manage- ment of orchard grounds. For although there is much slovenly bad practice, to be detected, there are abundant examples of superior management, to be copied. 28. HiOrk Sry 5: FORMERLY, scarcely any horses were bred, in this part of the kingdom. The plow and cart horses were brought, wholly, from Northamptonshire, and the other mid- jand counties; and many are still brought into the district. Maidstone fair, held in October, is one of the largest horse fairs 4 were The holly 1 mid- gught Id in fairs Ly en ee 28. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 321 I have seen. Nevertheless, there are, at present, many cart horses, and some saddle horses, bred in this part of Kent. 29. GAO AS Fea: NO DISTRICT in the Island, perhaps, of equal extent and fertility, breeds fewer cattle, than the district under view. Its entire stock may, with little licence, be said to be Wercu, or of Welch origin; although it is situated at an extreme point of the Island, some hundred miles distant from the source of the breed. There are, however, a few of the Sussex BREED, and a very few of the long and short horned sorts(with of course MONGRELS of every description) thinly scattered in the country. The Weicu cartze are mostly brought in, by drovers of Wales, while young; as one, two, or three years old. They are VOL, fT y. aa ¥ ga Kin % 222 C AT ToL Ev 29. bred in different parts of the Principality. But the heifers, which are bought in for milk, are mostly of the Pembrokeshire mould. Many of them make handsome cows; which are said to milk well, and to fat quickly. Several thousands, of different descriptions, are annually brought into the county. In the month of October, the roads are every where full of them: some going to the upland districts, others to the Marshes. The pairny PRopUCcE of Kent is merely milk, and fresh butter, for the higher and middle classes. The lower order of people, in the towns, and even in the villages of Kent, as in the courts and alleys of Lon- don, eat Irish butter! Which, with cheese of different descriptions, are sent, in im- mense quantities, from London! Of FATTING CATTLE, the District under view has, of late years, furnished the mar- kets with a certain, though not considerable quantity. Oxen, of. the Sussex breed, are mostly chosen, for this purpose. The ma- terial of fatting is oil cake: the object, that of raising manure; particularly for the hop grounds. ":: Ne a ee RR —: us ae SUS esa fa i Sit ca 9p OPT ILE oI i OTT ET — ean:————<= esa I pana=- ne« a 29.'OF MAIDSTONE. 323 | There is an OIL MILL, in the district,(at ae Yoville, near Maidstone), where part, or the whole, of the cakes, used within it, are ndsome made. And the manufacture of linseed oil and to having, for some length of time, been nearly ferent connected with agriculture, I took an op- Ito the portunity of examining the process, with ar, the some attention. : some At the close of a notice, which I took, to the respecting this simple and effective opera- tion, I find the following remarks.—The nerely best agricultural idea, to be drawn from this and process, is, that LINSEED may be reduced, by eople, grinding ,to the most desireable state, for the ges of purpose of FATTING CATTLE. The powder, {Lon or particles of the reduced seed, after it has i cheese passed the mills, is of the consistency, and} in iin has very much the general appearance, of I ground coffee: being perfectly dry; hav- q under ing no degree of clamminess; and very: 1 e mal little of tenacity. It might be mixed, per-| erable fectly, or sufficiently, with the flour of| of}, Are corn, or pulse; or with chaff, either na- he ma-_ tural or artificial. If the substance of lin- , that seed be in any case eligible, as a food of e hop farm stock, grinding appears to be the pro- per mode of preparing it. Public mills | Ye ne 324 Chel Tie. 29 might be erected s or the common stone cider mill, if accurately formed, and smoothe- ly finished, might answer the purpose.”’* 30; pW TON: E: THE NUMBER, which this district main- tains, is not equal to the extent and fertility of its lands. Where there is no cheese made, and but little butter, the refuse liquor of the dairy is inconsiderable. Under these circumstances, the rearing of swine becomes 4 matter of choice; and is attended with some difficulty. The BREEDS are various. In 1790, some remains of the long white NATIVE BREED of the Island were observable, in this. part of it. The BERKSHIRE, and the“ Tun-= * For remarks on FLAX SEED, as a food of cattle, and suggestions relating to the importation of AMERI- CAN seed, for that purpose, see GLOCESTERSHIRE. >=——————— TS en nee RET a—— Se ee ee ae aps$5 Sec OPP OPE pg A a ih LAR i 2 SS rape x EES aE ag a os se A‘ 4 “™ bf \ 2 30. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 225 1 Stone BACK,’—a variety of the Berkshire(which Moot is not uncommon in Surrey),—were pre- se. valent: also the CHINESE;—with MIXTURES of the various sorts; but without any esta- blished breed, which the district could call- its own. In the MANAGEMENT of swine, I met with nothing, here, which is entitled to notice. main JL. rity ig S HEE P. liquor * these, comes THERE are many districts, in different | with parts of the kingdom, in which few cattle or horses are bred. But, there, we find 1799, sheep a prevailing and permanent stock. ThE Whereas, the District of MAIDSTONE, not- nth withstanding the fewness of rearing cattle TN and horses, may be said to be destitute of sheep, a great part of the year. There cattle, are no breeding sheep;(unless in parks Bele and paddocks) and only one wedder flock, eye 326 Siac E& P. Qh in the area of the district. In the outskirts, on the sandy lands in the Wrotham quarter, some small flocks of young wedders are observable. In winter, however, the country is fully stocked: chiefly with MARSH LAMBS; sent in, by the Romney-Marsh breeders to be kept «at joist,” on the stubbles and ley grounds, at the rate of 2s. to 2s. 6d. a score, a week: a species of intercourse, which answers the double purpose of freeing the Marshes, at a season when they are ill calculated for the maintenance of tender stock, and clearing off, from the arable lands, what might other- wise rot on the ground.* * On the NATURAL FOOD OF SHEEP. An incident occurred to me, in this district, which shows, that a: partiality, for the foliage of shrubs, is deeply implanted in their nature. A flock of lambs, just come up from the Marshes, where they had never tasted nor seen. a shrub, nor had their dams, probably, from the time of their conception, on being turned into a field of young clover(which had risen after the barley crop had been harvested) left this delicious pasturage, for a hedge bor- der, that had been recently cut; on whose foliage they fed with the greatest voracity. The sheep is a mountain animal, and, in a state of nature, the foliage of shrubs must have been its chief support. And may it not be conducive to its health, in 4 de i. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 329 ski The few WEDDERS, that the district main- Harter, tains, are of the WILTSHIRE, and the SouTH- 18 ate Down breeds. Formerly, the Wiltshire prevailed, or were the sole breed kept; now, fully the South-Down breed is evidently taking nein, the lead. Many of them are bought in, kept while lambs, at Michaelmas; and are kept dunds, on, until they are two to three years old: week: others are grown sheep, purchased merely rs the for fatting. 8, at a In the rattineG of sheep, the only pecu- wr the liarity of practice, which struck me, in the ring district under view, was that of employing ther oil cake, as an ordinary material, or food, of fatting sheep: a practice, which I under- Re stand, has been followed, for half a century. cu It is given to them, in covered troughs mt(some of them ingeniously constructed;) ip from usually in the field; either with a full bite seen. a of grass, or with hay; also with turneps, ine oh and perhaps an addition of hay. In either Je case, it is a practice well calculated, to for- dere bare tey a state of cultivation? May not some of the fatal disorders of sheep arise, from a want of this part of their natural ite of food? Might not even the Rot be cured, or prevented, chieh by a free access to the foliage of warm aromatic shrubs? th, io This, however, by way of intimation. 328 SHEEP. 31° ward the condition of the sheep, and to im- prove the land, on which it is used. GENERAL REMARKS. This expen- diture of oil cakes, upon the land, with sheep, and the consumption which takes place, in the yards, by cattle, go their length towards clearing away the mystery, which involves the practice of this part of Kent, with respect to its supply of MANURE. «¢ How are these hop grounds, and this in- ordinate quantity of arable land, supported without stock’—is an exclamation, which I have many times repeated, in traversing the district. And still Iam unable, after bringing to account the oil cakes, the woolen rags, and the lime, which are an- nually expended, to adjust the matter satis- factorily, without making large allowances for the INTRINSIC FERTILITY OF THE LANDS. To the sTATE OF HUSBANDRY, likewise, something may be fairly given. From the foregoing detail, it abundantly appears, that many of the better lands are in a high state of cultivation; bearing ample crops; and, of course, affording great quantities of ma- terials for manure: and over the entire dis- trict, there are plow horses, in sufficient ye dee ROS Lae I in 95 Bie Jt 21. DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 329 number, to consume them. They might, indeed, be well considered as the stock of the exnen--; | Ee country; and, in their support, a very con- ae siderable portion of its produce is expended. = Thus the vail of mystery, with respect to their _ manure, is wholly withdrawn, stery, The IMPROVEMENTS, which this dis- art of trict appears to be capable of receiving, ae have been suggested in describing its prac- IS In- tice. That which is most evident, and ge- Dorted neral to the district, is to reduce the present vhich number of PLOW HoRSES: to break the rsing present extravagant, unsufferable team in alter two: at least, for loosened‘ground, or fal- » the lows, of every description; and, by this re all- means, to perform, with the same men and ‘Sats horses, three times as much, and, with pro-" yalices per plows, twice as well, as in the present ANDS, practice. In plowing whole ground, as wise,| clover ley for wheat, as well as for broadshar- mthe ing, the present plow and team are admir- that| ably adapted: I mean on the absorbent lands. v state To use the turnwrest plow, in almost any “ad,| ease, on those which are retentive, as the ma|« pinnock” soils of the southern margin, dice 14 is an impropriety, which never could have ent| entered into common practice, but through 330$:H EE P. 414 an implicit imitation of one, which had pre- viously, and properly, been established, in their immediate neighbourhood, on lands of a contrary nature, The redundancy of plow horses being struck off, an INCREASE of PROFITABLE stock will be requisite, to convert the pro- duce, which they now consume, into food for the species; and, at the same time, to furnish the lands, which produce it, with a supply of sustenance, for future crops. > anes ae i ad ples hed, In ands of being ‘ABLE pro- ) food he, to vith 338 J LIST OF RATES, IN THE DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 1790. BUILDINGS AND REPAIRS, BRICKLAYERS’ wages gs. 6d. a day. Carpenters wages 25. a day. Oak timber, for building 18d. to gs. 6d. a foot. Ash 18d. a foot. Elm od. to 14d. Beech 12d. Kiln bricks 24s. including duty. Plain tiles the same.| Lime, about 6d. a bushel. — for wheelwrights, 12d. to WOODLANDS. Oak timber, on the stem, 3 to 5// a ton. Oak bark sos. for about 15 cwt. Stack or cord wood 12s. a cord. 332 LIST OF RATES, IN THE Wood bavins, or fagots, 18s. a hundred. Spray 125. Hop poles 5s. to 40s. a hundred, in the wood. Stakes 2s. a hundred(of five score). Edders, the same. HUSBANDRY.. Yearly Wages. « Plowman,” or principal servant, 10 to 12 guineas. ‘«‘ Carter,” or inferior man servant, 6 to 7 guineas. Woman servant— to 5]. Day Wages. In winter, 16d. to 18d. without beer. In spring 18d. with beer. In hay time 18d. with beer and ale. In harvest 2s. with the same(no board). ) Measured Works. Plowing 10s. 6d. an acre!* * In 1797, I was told, the price of plowing had got up to 125. and even 145. an acre!! CD Fy eed ce a en “oo© DISTRICT OF MAIDSTONE. 33 ndred. ———, , in the Mowing natural grass, 2s. 6d. to 3s. an acre, and ale. clover,&c. 18d. to 2s. and ale. corn 18d. to 2s, andiale. Reaping wheat 5s. to 15s. an acre. Hoing turneps 5s. and 3s. or 8s, an acre. Thrashing wheat gs. 6d. to 3s. a quarter. barley 18d to 20d. ——— oats 16d.to 18d.————— ————-——- beans: about 1s.: » 10 Lo—————. peas 14d. to 18d.——--_—~ clover 5s. a bushel. 6 to Size of the bushel 8 gallons, g pints. Hops. Winter digging and dressing 20s. an acre. Poling(including pointing gs.) 10s. an er, acre. Tying and branching 10s. an acre. Summer digging 10s.* oat), Handhoing 5s.——_— Shovelling 5s.—_——__—_— | Stacking poles 5s. ee Steward’s wages 125. a-week. Binman's——— 9s. 0 Picking 1d. to. 2d. a bushel. * But see page 209. 334 LIST OF RATES,&c. Drying, at a hired oast, 7s.a cwt. Kilnman’s wages 12s. and board;—or a guinea, a week. Packing 8d. a bag, or pocket. Note, in the immediate neighbourhood of Maidstone, beer is seldom given to hop- ground men, or pickers. But, in the country, it Is commonly allowed. THE WEALD OF KENT. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. THIS NAME is familiar in the mouth of every man; yet no two men, perhaps, (even in Kent) agree, precisely, as to the portion of country, to which it belongs. Whatever is not chalk hill, ragstone land, or marsh, appears to be included in the vague appellation of“ the Wild.” And so it is, in the county of Sussex; where the same name—‘ the Wild,” is applied to an extent of lands, which are various in descrip- tion, and opposite in their natures. The Wilds of Kent and Sussex form one extensive tract of country; which has no other separation, or distinction, than the imaginary line, which divides the two coun- ties. It reaches, in a lineal direction, from Ashford in Kent, to Petworth, in Sussex; 336 DISTRICT. these two towns being situated near its ex- tremities. It is sixty to seventy miles in length, and ten to fifteen, in width; and may be estimated at a thousand square miles in extent. The more central parts of this tract are chiefly filled up, with heaths, as wild as those of Yorkshire and Scotland; or with culturable uplands, of a particular descrip- tion:—the soil a pale colored silt, or fine sand, and the substrata mostly retentive; thus forming cold weak land, which is better adapted to the production of wood, than any other crop. But, at either extremity, lies a tract ofa very different nature: strong, clayey, low- lying, vale lands; resembling those of the Vales of Glocestershire and Wiltshire, of Cleveland and Holderness; but, in general, of a cooler and less productive quality, than those of the districts, with which they are here classed. These two tracts likewise are prone to wood; and it is probable, that the entire district, at the time the general name of the Wild was assigned it, was in a state of WOOD, or HEATH; while the margins, on r Its ve miles jy th; and re miles ‘act are wild as nr with lescrip. or fine nitive; better than ct ofa lowe of the ire, of oneral, , than ey ate me f0 entire ne Ok te of , Ol WEALD OF KENT. 337 every side, were INHABITED and CULTI- VATED. Thename was, then, perfectly de- scriptive; properly distinguishing the un- cultivated, uninhabited, wild lands, from those which were inhabited and cultivated. And. this name has been invariably retained, by the INHABITANTS, on every side, and at each extremity, to the present time. Why writers should have changed it to that of the Weald, or Wood, might now be difficult and unprofitable to trace. At present, both names are equally improper. The major part of the lands have long been inhabited, and in a state of cultivation; and no one charac- teristic remains, which is common to this passage of country; there being few tracts in the Island, which are more heterogeneous and differential. The two extremities might be aptly termed the Vales or Vale Lands of Kent and Sussex; and such I had denomi- nated them; but altered‘the titles I had assigned them, to better known, though fess appropriate names. WOE. fF. ZL Pie ik ae Sse ee rears THE VALE LANDS OF Kile Net. SITUATION. These lands are sepa- rated, from the District of Maidstone, by the line of hill, which has been repeatedly mentioned, in describing the latter district, and which forms the northern boundary, of that which is now in view. Its OUTLINE, to the east, is less definite; the Weald lands uniting with those of the district of Ashford,. without any evident line of separation. On the west, or southwest, they are well de- fined, by the hills of Brenchley and Goud- hurst, and the ridge of high land, which leads, from thence, to the heights about Cranbrook. And, on the south, a range of barren sandy hillocks separate them from the Marshes of Kent and Sussex. The EXTENT of these Vale Lands may be estimated, by a circle of seventeen miles in — hs — sa 1S} aS ="<< > ee WEALD OF KENT. 339 diameter; which includes upward of two hundred square miles of surtace. The INFORMATION, which I pro- cured respecting them, was chiefly collect~ ed,in an excursion, which| made from Maid- stone, in the autumn: of ninety; through the central parts of the district, by Staple- hurst, to Cranbrook; thence, along the ridge of hill which forms the westward boundary; from whence a general view of the whole may be taken;* and back, across the area of the Vale, by Marden, and Lin- ton, to Maidstone. In the same year, I had an opportunity of examining, with some at-~ tention, the practice of the northern margin. In 1797, I traced the eastern skirts, from Ashford to Ham Street, on the border of Romney Marsh; and wished to have made out another line across the area, by Smarden, in the northeast quarter of the district; but the extreme wetness of the summer had rendered the roads in a manner impassable. On the whole, however, I saw enough o! the district, to gain a general idea of its nature and produce, and the outline of its * From the tower of Goudhurst church, an extraor- dinary‘ circle of views are commanded. = pao Ain sal an= ee a a a jaca a EN ig SPO NR a rm | i 340 VALE LANDS, rural management; and I was the less anxious to descend to particulars, as my opportunities of examining the WEALD OF Sussex, a sister district, were sufficiently ainple.;: The ELEVATION of the body, or area, of the WEALD or Kent is less than that of the eastern margin, and the parts which overlook the Marshes; where once, pro- bably, a perpendicular cliff, some hundred feet in height, showed its freshworn face to the sea: the present banks of the Marshes having, doubtless, been formed by the waves, in the first instance; and, since these have receded, the mouldering effect of time has done its part, to give them their present form. The entire mass, from the surface to near the level of the Marshes(where a seam of soft rock is observable) appears to be of a crumbling earthy nature; and did, for many ages, probably, continue to shoot down, in detached masses, or leisurely, in greater bulk; and, at length, was left with that shelving rugged surface, which it now exhibits. The SURFACE of the area, of more central parts of the district, is dishing, or he les as hy| ALD OF clently “area, hat of which , pro- indred ce to shes aves, have e has resent ace to seam be of , for shoot y, with now nore , f | } t } e f WEALD OF KENT. 241 shellshaped; with a few rising grounds, dispersed over it; but, on the whole, is less varied, than most other passages Ora similar nature. The surface WATERS of the Weald are chiefly collected, by a branch of the Medway. But such is the natural flatness of the area and mouth of the Weald(open- ing between the Hunton and the Brenchly hills) that it is with great difficulty the waters make their way, to the main branch of that river; frequently overflowing the banks of the sluggish brook, or minor river, which conveys them. Hence, beside the wide flat of rich land, at the junction of the branches(mentioned aforegoing) there are some waterformed lands within the Weald.* * ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS. Some years ago, a cut was made, in the lower part of this branch of the Medway, which at once effected a twofold improvement. In time of floods, the-waters collected in the Weald, now pass off quicker, than they did for- merly; and, by this means, its lands are the less liable to be overflowed. Moreover, by this quickened dispatch, the waters of the Weald gain the channel of the Medway, before those which are brought, by the main branch, reach the junction: by which means the general flood is lowered, and its mischiefs in some degree lessened, from the junction, downward, to the sea.. 342 VALE LANDS, The SOILS of the district in general, however, have had a different origin; for though, in many places, they lie peculiarly flat, both in the area of the district, and on the eastern margin, they wear no appear- ance of having been formed by water. In the area of the Weald of Kent, as in that of Sussex, the swells, or smaller rising erounds, enjoy the richest, most productive lands. Wevertheless, the soil of the eastern margin, to thevery brink of the Marsh banks, is weak and cold, in the extreme! And this may be said to be the prevailing land of the Weald: namely, a PALE, ADHE- SIVE CLAY, With a RETENTIVE BASE. Not only the eastern margin, but much of the area of the district, between Linton and Staplehurst(and still more,[ understand, in the Smarden quarter) is of this description. On the opposite side, round Marden, a cLAy of a HIGHER COLOR and RICHER QUALITY prevails: while the rising ground, on which the village of Staplehurst is judiciously placed, is much of it of a warmer, more genial nature; a good CLAYEY LOAM. On cither side of the river of the Weald, the lands owe their present state, if not their origin, to the waters which, from the time y Mm NG ‘10 WEALD OF KENT. 343 of the general formation, have been occa- Neral 1:.| sionally spread over them. Some of them larly| are of a close firm texture, are what in yl nd on| Yorkshire would be called mg lands; having fi pear only been occasionally overflowed: while others are of a looser, more friable texture— a sad warmer, better lands—tolerably good graz~:{ ‘sing ing ground; having doubtless been formed|| Ae by the deposits of floods.| a Yo oe the river to the foot of the hill,| ate which forms the northern boundary, the 3| natural soil improves; and the lands of the\ ine face of the hill, though tear and rugged, 7 are of a very superior quality; strong loam Nor on rock: resembling those of the district of n Maidstone: being, no doubt, a continuance se of the same strata; which break out in the‘| and- face of this steep: the cold ungenial lands{ a of the ridge of the hill(repeatedly men- ni} eh tioned in the last district) being caused, by a ae a load of base materials, resting on, and pe burying to an irreclaimable depth, the in- hic valuable lands of Farley and Maidstone! wy, The ROADS of the Weald are such as ue may be readily apprehended, from the de- scription of its lands. The common country id, roads,.in summer and wet seasons, are such 344 VALE LANDS, as no man, who has not stept out of his cradle into them, can travel without dis- gust; if he can without danger. The toll roads are rather better.* The TOWNSHIPS, in the area, or witb- in the Weald, are very Jarge: those of Smar- den, Staplehurst, and Marden, occupying a considerable share of the bottom, or central parts of the district; where there are few situations, which could invite the first set- tlers, to build villages, or the clergy, after- wards, to erect churches, and take up their residence. On the contrary, upon the northern mar- gin, they are mere slips; appendant to a string of churches, stretched along the face of the hill; and for reasons that are equally obvious. The line of rich lands, just men- tioned, was equally to be coveted, by the settlers and the clergy,—the soil rich, the air pure, and the prospect delightful. To the peasantry, the situation was eligible; not altogether on account of the soil, which is of small extent, though sufficient, perhaps, ee. * For a proposed method of forming roads, across deep vale lands, see the WEALD OF SUSSEX. Of hi It dis. le toll With. mar- nga tral > few Set fter- heir iar toa face ally nell- the ‘the To ble; hich — WEALD OF KENT. 345 for the hand labor of the first inhabitants; but because the wild lands, at the foot of the hill, afforded pasturage, for their cattle; while their habitations were in some state of security, from the wild beasts and vermin which inhabited them; and while the cap of the hill, which rises above these well chosen sites, skreens them, to the north. The whole is ina STATE OF INCLO- SURE; and mostly divided, by wide wood- land belts, into well sized fields. The present PRODUCTIONS of these Vale Lands are arable crops, permanent herbage, wood, hops, fruit. In the more central parts of the district, ARABLE LANDS predominate; and, in the district at large, they occupy the principal part of its surface. The Grass LANDS are chiefly appendant to the river and brooks; but not wholly. I observed old grass grounds, in ditferent parts. Their proportion, however, to the arable lands, is small. The woop Lanps, which more. particu- larly caught my attention, are on the eastern side of the district: on the cold weak lands that have been mentioned, and that are unfit Ps 346 VALE LANDS, for any other production. The road, from Ashford to Romney, leads through or be- tween woods, for some miles, with scarcely any cultivation intervening. On the western side, there are few woods, I believe, of much extent; but the HEDGEROWS, between the arable lands, in every part, are very wide; producing fine timber; and underwood, in great abundance. The Hop GROUNDS ale principally confined, to the richer warmer lands, on the western side of the district, round Staplehurst and Marden; and on the northern and western margins; but are, more or less, scattered over the area; fre- quently on lands, that appear to be unfit, for so delicate and fastidious a produce. The oncuarps are few. The most, I ob- served, were in the township of Marden; and these were of apples; a species of fruit, which is ill adapted to the Weald lands. The pear would probably flourish on many of them. WOODLANDS. These, as well as the HEDGE BORDERS, are chiefly in a state of TIMBER and UNDERWooD. I observed few in a state of coppice. Their GENERAL ECO- Nomy is similar to that of the rest of the o- a WEALD OF KENT. 347 t be- SouTHERN CounTiges. he subject will rcely| be spoken of, at large, in the WEALD oF tem| SUSSEX. hich FARMS. From what rose to the eye, the in crossing the country, the farms are of the de: middle size; resembling those of the Vale in lands of Sussex; which will be particu- are larized. But, judging from the extraordi- mer nary meeting of professional men(many of ric| them, doubtless, Marsh graziers) at the fair he. 4 of. Cranbrook, on the western margin of re,| the district, there would seem to be some “s farms of superior magnitude; either in the ft, Weald, or in its neighbourhood. i In its BEASTS OF DRAFT, too, the ay Weald of Kent resembles that of Sussex. ki|| OXEN, in yoke, are common; at least in i carriages; in which they are driven(con- oe) trary to the practice of the North of Eng- ie land) without horses to lead them. It was in this district, I first observed ny the muzzLe, or nose basket, which is also in in use 1n Sussex, to prevent oxen, at work, f from grazing, and thereby becoming un- | steady, and sometimes difficult to manage. a Remark. How extraordinary, that this i simple, and one might almost say obvious,| , LESt passing between Hithe and Canterbury, by| xten- way of Stone Street, I observed a small> Wild, dairy of cows, of the true mould, color, and nt or| horn of the breed of Sussex, and the Weald ariety of Kent. And it is probably common to have| what may be called Sourn Kent: name- ve, Of’| ly, the whole country southward of the hat is| Chalk Hills; the District of Maidstone ex- ubvar cepted. asule,~ So that, on the whole, this breed of cattle t may be considered as being in possession eit|(as the established breeding stock) of the d, or| entire country between the eastern divi- | sion of the Chalk Hills, and the sea; the 352 VALE LANDS, District or MaipsTongE, and the sEA COAST OF SUSSEX, exclusive. In the Weald of Kent, this breed is found in a remarkable state; extremely various, as to quality. Near Staplehurst, I saw rearing cattle, that would have been a credit to any country, in which this breed is pro- pagated; and in Marden, cows of the fairest mould; wearing every appearance, in form,) color, and horn, of being of the purest blood,— of the middle-horned race of cattle. In Cran- brook, I examined an ox(said to be bred 0 in the southern part of the district) which, b i in size, form, and flesh, might be deemed b mike nearly perfect. Nevertheless, at the same: place, I saw others of the basest blood; equal to any thing I recollect to have seen of the old Yorkshire or Dutch breed(see( YORKSHIRE), with buttocks down to the i hocks! And, at Maidstone, I have seen{ others, equally unfit, for every purpose of‘ cattle.*( * ON THE FLESH OF CATTLE. It is observable, that, notwithstanding the extreme coarseness of the hind quarters, the chine, of one of the worst of these ani- mals, handled mellow! But this is not the only in- stance, in which I have found a disparity, in the qua- COAST s found arlous, I saw credit - fairest form, blood, Cran- bred hich, emed same ood: e sell d(see o the - seen ose of ervable, he bind @ anl- ly in- e qua- : Bi. CF Sh ae a — CNSR GRR age wage To a pr een CLI TE. WEALD OF KENT. 353 This base blood, however, belongs not to the middlehorned breed; but is traceable to a less‘pure source; and through a mere circumstance, which so nearly concerns the valuable breed of cattle under notice, that it ought not to be forgotten. During what has been usually called’ the German war, a number of French prisoners were confined, in the neighbourhood of Cranbrook, on the southern borders of the Weald of Kent, and nearly upon the borders of Sussex. To maintain them; a drove of bulls,(which doubtless:-had been thrown up by the Yorkshire breeders, who were about that time getting rid of the breed, and had been travelled southward) were purchased “in the shires.” Unfortunately for’ the country, the Kent and Sussex breeders; be- ing taken with their size and the fulness of their frame, saved some of them from the slaughter, and used them with their*cows; continuing, for some time, to breed from the cross. And it was too late before they dis- covered their error. For although some lities of the flesh of different parts of the same/animal: a circumstance, by the way, which is’ seldom, perhaps, sufficiently attended to.: VOL: I. Aa - ott x , ——— 156 pare a M \{ 354 VALE LANDS, pains has been taken, to“ get out of the sort,” it nevertheless will still sometimes show itself; even when neither the sire nor the dam has any trait of it, in their appear- ance, or palpable qualities.* This shows how easily a valuable breed of stock may be debased. And may well serve as a caution, to those who are in pos- session of a breed, which is tolerably pure, and profitable, not to deteriorate it, with strange crosses; seeing how difficult it is to regain the original breed, and bring it back, to its former purity. Of the STATE OF HUSBANDRY, in this part of Kent, I have only to say, that there were many foul lands, in the parts I went over,—that the proportion of arable lands appeared to be much too great,—and that the hedgerows were far too high, wide, and impervious to the winds, for a low, dirty, arable country. Of its IMPROVEMENT I have the less occasion to speak; as the means to be used * The above information I had from an intelligent man, advanced in years, who lived in that neighbour- hood, at the time the circumstances took place; and(in 1790) well remembered the particulars. WEALD OF KENT. 955 are pretty evidently the same, on the Vale lands of Kent, and on those of Sussex; for whose improvement I shall offer proposals. The only particular, relative to the im- provement of these Vale lands, which re- quires to be noticed, here, is an instance, in which a field, on the northern margin, was successfully converted, from a state of arable ground, to that of GRAsSs LAND: a process by which, perhaps, their greatest improvement is to be effected; yet one of the last which their occupiers will listen to: not, however, from any conviction that the principle is wrong, but from an idea of the difficulty, or the impossibility, of carrying it into practice. I have the greater satisfaction in noting this incident, as it occurred in the practice of aman, to whom, more than to any other person, I was beholden for information, re- specting the rural management,—not mere- ly of the Weald, and the Chalk Hills of Kent(on each of which he cultivated a considerable farm) but of the District of Maidstone, and the county in general.* * The late Mr. CHarRyron of Maidstone. Aae et eee ae A Pa oe‘ ie. ee Pe Se MRA eal me 356 VALE LANDS,&c. This field, when I saw it in 1790, had been in grass, only three years; yet, even then, it wore a fine close sward; resembling that of old grass lands. Its management was simply this. The soil was THOROUGHLY -CLEANED, for the crop; which was NEVER mown; but, from the time the corn crop was harvested, it was kept CLOSELY PAS~ TURED WITH SHEEP; which were occasion- ally FOLDED ON THE YOUNG HERBAGE: a line of management, which, where sheep can be kept with safety, it would be difficult, perhaps, to improve. It is almost needless to suggest, that the MEDWAY NAVIGATION might easily be ex- tended into the center of the WEALD; for carrying in coals, chalk, or lime, and bringing out timber, corn, hops, and other produce. 90, bad f, eve mbling yement UGHLY EVER crop PAS- asion- GE: 4 sheep icult, ROMNEY MARSH. A DISTRICT, whose lands are nearly uniform, whose produce is principally her- bage, and whose pasturing stock is similar throughout, not only in species, but in va- riety or breed, may readily be seen; wants much less time and application, to examine it, than one which is composed of: various soils, resting on a variety of substrata, form- ing varied surfaces, and producing wood, corn, grass, and livestock of different de- scriptions. In 1795, during an excursion in East KenT, I examined the southeast, or sea side of the district, from Hithe to Romney and its environs, with some attention. And, in 1797, I meditated a deliberate view of the northwest or land side; but, in part, from being disappointed in the expected opportunity, and, in part, from the roads, owing to the wetness of the year, being a Ee ETT OE TT 358 ROMNEY MARSH. impracticable to a stranger, my examina- tions fell short of my intentions. On the whole, however, they were sufficient, to enable me, to give a general idea of the dis- trict, and an outline of its management. The SITUATION, of this extensive tract of Marsh lands, is on the coast of the English Channel; which bounds it, on the east and south: its boundary, to the north and west, being a range of cliffs(described above) which extends from Hithe, in a bend- ing line, to the mouth of the Rother. The principal part is situated in the county of Kent: the southwestern quarter, however, is aukwardly included within that of Sussex; notwithstanding it lies detached from the rest of the county, by the intervention of the estuary of the Rother. The former goes by the name of Romney Marsu, the latter by that of Guitrorp Marsu. The EXTENT, if the mean length be estimated at eleven miles, and its mean width at seven, may be set down at seventy- five square miles; or fifty thousand acres. The ELEVATION of these lands, with respect to the sea, is low indeed! their sur- face lying much below that of spring tides: a proof that they were not left by the sea; "ROMNEY MARSH. 359 but owe their present state of profitableness to human exertions; to an extraordinary EMBANKMENT, which will be noticed. I had an opportunity of seeing the tide se- veral feet above the level of the Marsh lands; and this during a dead calm; when there was not wind to raise a splash among the heads of the piles, which defend the outer face of the bank. OGL AR The SURFACE of Romney Mars, whether viewed from the top of the em- bankment, or from the opposite cliffs, ap- pears not only level, but remarkably smooth; more so, at least, than that of the YarR- mouTH MarsHEs(see NorFOLK). REMARK. This, however, is to be ac- counted for, in the difference of their situa- tions. The Norfolk Marshes were formed, and left, by an estuary, or arm of the sea; which entering, in this case, at a narrow mouth, its waves could not reach the mudbanks, which grew up to the present Marshes. The channels and furrows, na- turally formed by rains and backwaters, remained open and undisturbed. Those of Kent, on the contrary, lay open to the sea; whose waves(before the bank was raised) aa a IE i eT Sl tees mg P) 3——— anne Se =- ae 1 a P eee ena ee- 360 ROMNEY. MARSH. swept freely over them, every spring tide and gale of wind; striking off the protu- berant parts, and filling up, or narrowing, the hollows and inequalities; thus tending, in a twofold manner, to give levelness and smoothness of surface. The WATERS, which at present fall on the surface, or ooze out of the banks which rise on the land side, are collected by nar- row channels(probably those by which the surface waters of the original mudbanks were conveyed off) into three or more brooks, or inland shores, and let out, to the sea, by means of sluices and floodgates, un- der the embankment.' SQIL.»That which prevails, and which may be emphatically called the soil of these Marsh lands, is silt, or sea mud; what, on higher ground, would be termed RicH CLAYEY LOAM. Nevertheless, in the neigh- bourhood of Romney, a sheer sanp, blown from the'sea shore, covers some space of ground: and, towards Hithe, at the eastern point of the flat, a clean GRAVEL—pro- vincially« BEACH,—occupies a still greater extent of surface: and even the silty soils vary in their qualities. Rc ROMNEY MARSH. 361% GEoLocicAL Remarks. The action of the sea, on the margins of the lands which it bounds or encircles, is a subject which has not, perhaps, been examined with at- tention. Its more general tendency is that of wearing away projecting parts, and fill- ing up inlets and indentures of the coast: thus tending to give smoothness and rotun- dity of outline. But this general propen- sity is more or less counteracted, by the nature of the soils and their substructures, against which the action of the waves is di- rected; as well as by the sulliage thrown out by rivers, and returned to the coast; and, moreover, by the currents and eddies of the tide. This last effect presented itself, in a strong light, in reflecting on the formation of the level of marsh lands under view. The line of the seaworn cliff, and that of the front of the present Marshes, are segments of circles, and answer to each other; resem- bling, so much, the scoopings and sand- banks, formed by the windings and eddies of rivers, that I was led to consider the effects of the tide, passing through the Eng~ lish Channel: and it appears to be pre 362 ROMNEY MARSH. cisely that of first scooping out the bay, and afterwards filling it with the mudbanks, under consideration. The effect of running waiter, passing through a long winding channel, is uniformly the same, whether it be a rivulet, a brook, or a river; and the same natural law of fluids, probably, takes place, in a channel of the sea; whether it be twenty yards, or twenty leagues, in width. A body of water, of the latter width, run- ning with a strong current, and nearly in an eastern direction, meeting with resist- ance, in a winding shore, which alters the course of its current, to the north, and has, at the same time, its channel contracted to one third of its former width, naturally forms an eddy, to the northwest of the con- tracted part: and this is the situation of the bay and the mudbanks under notice. Indeed, there is one particular, in the form of these banks, which nothing’ but the circuitous draught of an eddy could have produced. It is not merely the bay that is silted up: the southwest point of the Marshes,—the richest and best lands,—is drawn out, some miles, into the sea, be- yond the line of coast on either side of it an ae=— a——— he rg Sir ROMNEY MARSH. 363 ‘Dungy Ness vying with Beachy Head, in boldness of projection. The immense collection of materials, re- quisite to the formation of this extensive tract of land, are to be accounted for, in those of the earthy clifis, which were torn down, in forming the bay; in the sulliage of the Rother, and, perhaps, in that of other rivers, suspended in the current of the tide, and deposited by the stiller waters of the eddy. Hence the varying nature of the soils of these Marshes. In the north and east parts, and even to their center, where the eddy retained a degree of current, and where the grosser heavier particles of suspended mat- ter, only, were let fall, the soil is of a less fertile quality, than it is, in the southern parts, below Romney, round Lydd, and to- wards Dungy Ness, where, the motion of the eddy being spent,(or checked by the main current of the tide passing through the Channel) the finer particles had time to precipitate; and, there, the richest most valuable lands are found. INHABITANTS. This acquisition of territory to the county of Kent, is divided 364 ROMNEY MARSH. into HUNDREDs and parisuEs. In the more northern part of the level, the parishes ap- pear to be large; few churches are seen. But in the southern parts, below Romney, and round Lypp, where the soil is rich, and~ no upper lands on its margin, the townships are smaller. Nevertheless, the VILLAGES, everywhere, appear to be inconsiderable. And even Romney, its principal town, though neatly built, and respectably inha- bited, is only a small place: ranking with the lower class of what are called country market towns. The GRAZIERS, or occupiers of Marsh lands, many of them live at a distance; especially, perhaps, those who occupy the north and west parts of the level. At Romney, there are several capital men; and in the area of the Marsh, and towards the southern extremity of the district(away from the uplands) there are others. But, every where, the management of the Marshes, and the stock they carry, is committed, in a great measure, to the care of Marshmen— provincially“ Lookers;” whose cabins and pens are seen scattered over the area of the Marsh. a= ores Se i ea eS ee ROMNEY MARSH. 365 With respect to the HEALTHINESS of this tract of low lands, reports speak differently. Its inhabitants do not acknowledge it to be particularly unhealthy: indeed, it has. re- cently been advanced, that the soldiers, which have been quartered within it, have been found more healthy, here, than in many parts of the uplands of the county. While the inhabitants of the uplands| of it, as an aguish, unhealthy country: and, seeing the great quantity of stagnant water, which is, at present, pent up, with= in its area, reason inclines to the latter report. 7 The thinness of inhabitants, however, may not be wholly attributed to the un- healthiness of climature; but, in some part, to the badness of the ROADS. Even the toll road, between Romney and Ashford, I found in a manner impassable, in October. During the winter months, the area of the district must: be in a wretched state, with respect to the means of communication. On the sea side, the top of the embankment furnishes a firm road, at all seasons; and, in summer, a delightful one to travel. In the dark stormy nights of winter, however, hi 366 ROMNEY MARSH. it must frequently be disagreeable, if not dangerous.; The whole is ina STATE OF INCLO- SURE; except the gravelly flat, and the sanded parts, that have been noticed. The FENCES are chiefly stagnant sewers;—wide ditches filled with water. In the environs of Romney, strong posts and rails are a com- nfon fence; the stagnant water having, of late years, been drawn off, in some degree, from the town; which has thereby been rendered more healthy, than it was for- merly. These fences are very expensive; being made substantial; as they are equally to guard against sheep and cattle. But naked posts and rails, though in- finitely preferable to water, still leave the entire level destitute of sHELTER: the winds rushing over its extensive surface, without a check! How any animal, whose nature it is, to live on the surface of the earth, and to provide no place of refuge beneath it, can weather out the severities of winter, in a situation so truly inclement, is beyond the power of reason to explain; and nothing but the infallible test of experience could render it credible. But lamentably true it ee pow:-t ROMNEY MARSH. 367 is, that, notwithstanding the hardy nature of sheep, thousands—tens of thousands— are sacrificed, to the sanctioned cruelty of those, who place them in so perilous a situation. It would seem as if some attempts had, formerly, been made, to raise live hedges; in order to guard against’ this intolerable evil; there being bushes of the white thorn scattered over the area of the Marsh; espe- cially on the north or land side. This sub- ject will be resumed. The EMBANKMENT, which defends this extensive and valuable tract of land, and its inhabitants, from the ravages of the waves; and the DRAINAGE, which frees them from the overflow of interior waters, remain to be noticed. They are insepa- rably connected with each other; and are under one and the same direction.* The BANK,—or, as it is provincially termed, the““sEA WALL,—is not conti- nuous, or entire. At the easternmost point, * A CORPORATION, acting under a code of laws of ancient date:‘* composed by Henry de Bathe, a vene- rable judge, in the reign of King Henry the Third.” Note on BLacxsToneE, Book III. chap. vi. sect. 2. = a c== = worn peg— “—*=* a e ———— 368 ROMNEY MARSH. near Hithe, the sea throws upa high BEac# BANK of gravel; and thus prevents itself from breaking in. upon the flat.* Some two or three miles from Hithe, the artifi- cial bank commences; and reaches to within a mile or two of Romney, where the Mar- RAM BANKS, resembling those of NorFoLKk, render art the less necessary.+ Below Rom- ney, the“ wall” again commences. This ARTIFICIAL BANK must have been a work of iminense cost; and is kept up, at a great expence. On the inner, or land side, the slope is steep, and pretty regular; measuring from fifteen to tweniyfive feet; according to the varying surface of the lands of the Marsh; the top of the bank being of course * This effect of the waves will be particularly ex- plained, on tHe sEA COaAsr oF Sussex. + The river Rother, tradition says, formerly dis- charged itself, in this part: and the sand, of which the banks are formed, may have been thrown out, by its floods; or they may have arisen from an earthy mass, so Situated, as to be brought by the current, or recoil of the tide, to this particular part; as the flinty gravel which continues to accumulate, at the eastern extremity, doubtless is, from the feet of the Chalk Hills, shelv- ing bencath the sea,: oh BEAcH NtS‘itso Bs Some h le artiff. 0 within eM AR- RFOLK, ¥ Rom- ve been ept up, pe is {rom ing to of the “COUTSe larly ex rly dis- hich the ROMNEY MARSH. 369 level. The perpendicular height on this side, may be estimated at twelve to eigh- teen feet. The sea side is irregular; but always flat, comparatively with the inner side; shelving off, from the top of the bank, to the na- tural shore; thus forming a flat, but irre- gular beach. This unevenness of the artificial shore (owing probably to the partial scoopings of the waves) renders the top of the bank irregular, in width. It measures, in diffe- rent parts, from fifteen to thirty feet, wide. The DEFENCE of the sEA sIDE, from the ravages of tempests, and the currents of the tide, incurs the principal part of the expence of this GREAT PUBLIC WORK. The means of defence are of a twofold nature. To break the sidelong waves, and prevent their scooping away the beach which supports the bank,“ jetties,” or strong wooden fences, are run out, into the sea(or towards it at low water) to the dis- tance, perhaps, of a hundred yards, from the top of the bank; and, at sixty yards, from each other. These fences are formed, with strong double posts, having spurs or Vourr. Bb eS nT amy Sa Sema|| ¥: LS—_ Seo Sa es er rR tera eT en 370 ROMNEY MARSH. stays, on the outsides, and clasping strong” planks(two and a half inches thick) be- tween them: or, in other words, the posts are put down, so nearly close to each other, that planks, of this thickness, will just slide down between them: thus forming a close, firm fence, four, five, or six feet high. Between the jetties, more especially where the gravel has been torn out, or is most liable to be torn away, the beach is covered, with faggots, of long, sprayey brushwood. Across these, slender poles, ten to twenty- five feet long, are laid, a few inches from each other; and, across them, at the dis- tance of every three feet, firmer pieces, the length of the faggots(four or five feet long) are pinned down to the beach; by the means of piles, about five feet long. These piles stand at eighteen inches from each other (each cross bar having three piles), their heads, when driven, standing, some inches, above the cross pieces, and a foot or more above the faggots. This rough covering, not only preserves the beach, from farther depredations, but assists the jetties, to collect, and retain, the gravel, thrown in between them, by the ROMNEY MARSH. 371 , Strong|; waves, when they set in, more directly to- ok) be.| wards the shore. © Posts Where a sufficiency of hard materials is 1 other, not provided, by the sea, stones are fetched, St slide at a great expence, to supply the deficiency. Clas,| At this time(1797) rough, offal ragstone 1| of the District or MaipstTone, are brought Where down the Medway, and round the Fore- 8 Most lands, for this purpose; at the expence of overed, six or seven shillings a ton. Wood, The bank, from end to end, is strowed enty=| with timber, and set with stacks of poles fom| and faggots, And many men are seen em- @ dis.| ployed, in renewing or repairing the diffe- es, the rent guards. long) The DRAINAGE is effected, by arched means| sluices, passing under the bank; each hav- e piles| ing two pair of floodgates; one on the out- other side, the other on the inside; to provide their against accidents, to the outer pair. These riches gates permit the interior waters to pass off, ae when the tide is low; and prevent those of the sea from ehtering, at high tide. aurves The ExPence, attending the embankment ee and drainage, is borne by the land, and o levied by an acre rate; which, I was in- 38 formed, is laid, evenly, over the whole flat; y the Ba + aE ae NE 37/2 ROMNEY MARSH. without any regard to the specific quality, or rental value, of the lands. The rate be- ing, on an average of years, about two shillings, an acre. The PRESENT PRODUCE of the lands, which thus owe their immense value to the invention and industry of man, is principally GRASS, or perennial herbage; but with a mixture of ARABLE crops. These, how- ever, are inconsiderable, when compared with the unbroken sward, which may be said to cover the whole level. The main OBJECT of the Marsh far- mer, and that to which the present produce is chiefly applied, is sHEEP; with, how- ever, a certain proportion of CATTLE; some HORSES; and with the few ARABLE CROPS, which are seen in different parts of the Dis- trict; but which engaged little of my at- tention. The most interesting notice, which I have respecting them, is, that the lands of Romney Marsh are worked with the turn- wrest plow, and are laid flat and furrowless, like those on open rock, in the District of Maidstone! GRASSLAND. The species, on a cur- sory view, appears to be uniform. There ROMNEY MARSH. 257 are, doubtless, varieties to be detected; oc- casioned by variations in the subsoil, and the slight variety of surface, giving swampy and sounder parts. But that which prevails, and which only I shall consider, is firm sound marsh land; most of it applicable, under suitable management, to hay or pas- turage; but varying in productiveness; for reasons that have been shown. The nERBAGE of these lands I had not a favorable opportunity of ascertaining. The month of September is too late, for this pur- pose; even were the seed stems suffered to remain on the root, until that time. It is sufficiently evident, however, that, on the description of lands under notice, there are no remains of marine planis: the whole sur- face being occupied by what are termed na- tural grasses. n some hay, cut off this species of land, the prevailing grass was the“ squir- rel tail”—bordeum nodosum—the meadow barley grass; but with a mixture of the poes, and other species of meadow herbage; such as are common to inland districts. Remark. How they found their way, across this marine mud bank, of fifty to a hundred square miles in extent, to the a ) yy q | ae! at== “i weet Be ee TE a ge TT Spe aereanawat. a, vegan= ae 374 ROMNEY MARSH. environs of Romney, on the verge of the Sea coast, and there took upon them the character of“ natural grassess,’ might be difficult to trace. It is possible, that when these lands were first reclaimed(notwith- standing the cultivation of grasses in upland districts, were then unknown or unprac- tised), the seeds of inland meadows were collected, and sown over them. Or were the seeds brought down the rivers, and de- posited in the silt? The prainaGE of these lands appears to be well attended to. The drains and fence sewers are occasionally cleared from mud; which is either piled, by the sides of the channels, out of which it is raised, or is set about the grounds, as manure; under the name of* sleech:” a general name, I be- lieve, for sea mud, and whatever arises from these Marsh, or mudbank lands.* By this attention to the drains, the Marsh lands in general, I understand, are‘kept sufficiently dry and firm, even in winter, for *SEA MUD. From the margin of the land side of the marsh, this sleech is frequently carried upon the up- lands; and, on some of them, is found to be a valuable manure. «* —<=— Fr mom~~©®,.). a a ROMNEY MARSH. 395 sheep to pasture and lodge upon: and, in ordinary years, are sufficiently sound, at all seasons, to be pastured with safety. Never- theless, in some particular years, great num~ bers have been taken off, by the“ spear- wort,” or rot.*=» The appLicaTion of these grasslands, except on the margins, and near the towns, is to pasturage. For although immense num- bers of sheep are wintered in the Marshes, not a morsel of hay, or any other winter food, than stale herbage, 1s afforded them; even in the severest weather, or while the STAass is buried under the deepest snows! *« SppaRworT.” This term is common to the Marshes, and the Weald of Kent; and, perhaps, to the county. Whether spearwort is the provincial name of ranunculus flammula, I could not gain satisfactory intel- ligencé. This, however, being the common term for "the rot, is a strong evidence, that whoever gave it, be- lieved the disease to be owing to a particular plant, bearing that name. Ideas, which, like this, are strongly rooted in the minds of professional men, should be brought forward, into public view. If they are rooted in truth, cultivate and cherish them; if in error, let them be eradicated, as weeds, which encumber and deteriorate their prac- tice. STITT.+ REN St: SEIT| nS 376 ROMNEY MARSH. Pasture Lanps. In the management of grazing grounds, two particulars require notice.‘Che method of stocking them; and the practice of striking off the seed stems, whether of weeds or herbage,—provincially “ brushing” them,—in the course of the Summer:—A practice which, I believe, is pretty common to the District. In the neighbourhood of Romney, in the early part of September, not a stem was to be seen. The whole was in a state of lawn; and, to the agricultural eye, the appearance was rich and beautiful. This is a practice which I have frequently recommended: it not only destroys or checks the growth of weeds, but enlarges the field of pasturage; especially where sheep are the pasturing stock, The stock of these pasture grounds are mostly sHrEp; but thinly mixed with CATTLE, of the Welch and Sussex breeds; also a few Horses; those which I observed, being chiefly mares and colts, And, on the sands, near Romney, RABBITS are obsery- able: burrowing in the Marram banks. The quantity of stock, which report says, these lands are wont to carry, is somewhat re —-- at_e ROMNEY MARSH. 377 ita| incredible; is not warranted, either by the an appearance of the lands,* the stock which and are seen upon them, or the information | which I collected on the subject. lly The grazierg of Romney Marsh appear, the by their practice, to be well aware, that the mis’| best art, in. managing the gross-growing the herbage of marsh lands, is to keep it level uly and low. For, if it be suffered to run up, be the coarser grasses gain entire possession; Nj overgrowing the finer herbage; the delight Ice of sheep, and that which renders them pro- ce fitable. Hence, when the taller grasses get it up, in despite of the sithe and grazing al cattle to keep them under, an admirable pe expedient is practised, to clear them away ing to their roots; and thus to give the better herbage an opportunity of flourishing. This nds is done by‘ stocking hard,” with young ith sheep,—provincially“tegs”—coming home, ds; ved,* To the west and south of Romney, also on a nar- the row slip of rising ground, at the immediate foot of the ie cliffs, on the opposite side of the Marsh, I saw lands that wore the appearance of rich powerful grazing grounds; of lands worth fifty shillings to three pounds 1S, an acre; but the area of the north end of the level, ap- vat peared to have little claim to such distinction. 378 ROMNEY MARSH. hungry and halfstarved, from their upland winter pastures. Of these, eight, ten, or more perhaps, an acre, are thrown into the roughest of these lands; and are kept there, until they have knawed them to the quick; a work which takes them some weeks, per- haps a“couple of months,” to accomplish; when they are removed to better pasturage. In stocking with grazing sheep,—with sheep that are intended to get fat,—three or four an acre, may, I apprehend, be taken> as the average number; even on the better lands. SHEEP. The sreep of Romney Marsh is that of East Kent; whose marshes and uplands, have, for many ages perhaps, been stocked with the same breed of sheep. This breed resembles, so much, that of the Sours Hams of Devonshire,(see the West oF EncGLanp) there can be little doubt of their being descended from the same race,—the ancient stock of the wild lands of the West and South of England. They are large, or above the middle size of English sheep; their wool is somewhat long:* they are poled, or hornless; and * The MarsH woOz is of a similar quality to that a ii ROMNEY MARSH. 379 many of them have colored legs and faces; especially those which I have seen, on the upland districts of East Kent: in Romney Marsh, they have less color; being mostly white. The characteristics, of the Romney-Marsh variety, of the East-Kent breed of sheep, are the length of their legs, and the depth of their paunches: characteristics which belong to the old neglected breed of the Midland Counties. The most striking—ifferential character, belonging to these two distinct breeds of sheep, in a state of neglect, is the size oF BONE; that of the Kent breed being much the finest. And, from the opportunities, that I of the South Hams, and has long been employed in the same manufacture;—namely, the species of serge which is peculiar, I believe, to the West of England. Hence, the MARKET for Kent wools have been EXETER; un- til lately; when the demand for that manufacture be- coming lessened, by the war with Spain, other markets have been sought for; and it is now(1797), I under- stand, sent principally into YORKSHIRE. It has never, I was informed, by a principal dealer in Marsh wool, found its way to the market of NoRWICH: a strong evidence that it wants either length, or fineness of hair, for the finer worsted manufactures. 380 ROMNEY MARSH. have had, of examining these two distinct breeds, in their ordinary, or unimproved states, whether in the respective districts of their propagation, or in Smithfield, I have no hesitation, in pronouncing the breed of Kent to be the most valuable. Their respective claims to superiority, in their present im- proved states, I leave for contending parties to adjust. The PRESENT STATE OF IMPROVEMENT, of the Kentish sheep, may be considered as that of infancy, compared with the advanced stage of maturity, which the improvement of the Midland or Fen breed has reached.* The rays of light, however, by which the breeders of Kent have hitherto been di- rected, are evidently no other, than emana- tions from the luminary, which enlightened * The sheep of the /owlands of CAMBRIDGESHIRE, HuNTINGDONSHIRE, NoRTHAMPTONSHIRE, WAR- WICKSHIRE, LEICESTERSHIRE, LINCOLNSHIRE, and YORKSHIRE, appear, pretty evidently, to be of one and the same race, and are, at present, very distin- guishable, from the other breeds of the Island. But whether they are merely a selection, of long standing, from the ancient breed of the country, or have been imported, from the lowlands of the CONTINENT, may now be too late to determine. pr bl wh W: ROMNEY MARSH. 381 the midland provinces. Not only the prin- ciple, and the spirit, but the means, of im- provement flowed, in the first stages, at least, from the center of the system. In 1795, there were evident traces of the DIsHLEY. BLOOD, in the breed of sheep un- der notice; and although the means may, more latterly, have been changed, from crossing with an alien breed, to that of propagating from the purest of the native blood; still the principle, and the spirit which actuates it, owe their existence, even in this remote part of the Island, to the genius and perseverance of Mr. BaAKE- WELL; whose proselytes are, here, nume- rous; and the practice of letting rams, for the season, has been established, several years. The RAMBREEDERS, who have risen most into notice,—those, at least, whom I heard most loudly spoken of,—are Mr. Russel and. Mr. Coats of Romney, Mr. Muns of Brookland, and Mr. Wall of Ashford. From what little I saw of the IMPROVED BREED(ina part of Mr. Wall's flock), much has been already done, and more remains to be accomplished. The improvement has 382 ROMNEY MARSH. proceeded far enough, to show, in a few individuals of superior quality, what the Kent breed of sheep are capable of being raised to, by exertion and perseverance. The description of FLocxs, which are kept in Romney Marsh, are the three ge- neral descriptions of sheep; flamely, breed- ing, rearing, and fatting. In BREEDING, the rams are put to, very late; as the middle of November; in order that the grass may have time to make its spring shoot, before the season of lambing. For, in the winter management of sheep, even of ewe flocks, they are left, as has been said, to the mercy of the elements. In the severest weather,—when the stale her- bage, their only food, is deeply covered with snow, and cutting winds set in upon them, from the sea,—they are destitute of food and shelter! Hundreds, or even thou- sands, are lost in a single night! Blown, by scores perhaps, into the fence sewers (especially when there is ice of sufficient strength, to bear the snow, but not the sheep), thus forming bridges, for the rest to pass! During a severe frost, when the ice will every where bear the flocks, the Marsh, ROMNEY MARSH. 383. 1 a fy|:; hat th of course, becomes one wide spread com- hai. mon; and it would be folly, in individuals, a even could they readily find their own ie| sheep, to attempt to administer relief; as oe a| the united Heck, ina starving state, would a: frustrate their intention. And this is the reason given, for not providing sustenance" for their support. sie To this harsh treatment, by the way, one may, in part, at least, be attributed, the ke ib superior quality of this breed of sheep: bing.| the worst constitutioned individuals be- hep, come soonest weak; and perish first: the Shas best thrivers, on the contrary, retain their 8, In strength the longest, and survive. Starving ai is asure, but a cruel, principle of improve- vere ment. upon In an open winter, or when the snows ute of are not so deep, as to prevent their scraping thou' down to the herbage, nor the wind so strong lown, and piercing, as to drive them from their eels purpose, and induce them to seek, in vain, cient for shelter, the ewes and yearling sheep, it the seems, get over the winter season, tolerably ast tO well, without assistance. > ice IMPROVEMENTS. Seeing the un- arsl) certainty attending the Marshes, as win- 384 ROMNEY MARSH: tering grounds, and the extremely wretched and pitiable condition, which the stock are reduced to, in severe winters, the practice of keeping BREEDING FLOcKs, in so ineli- gible a situation, might be naturally enough censured. It may be aptly enquired, why are not the marshes of Romney, as of Yar- mouth, pastured with fatting stock and rear- ing cattle, in summer, and left, in winter, to the caprice of the elements, without in- jury or alarm to their occupiers? This is plausible, until the subject is duly con- sidered. Where is the fatting and rearing stock to be found, to compass this desireable point? Norfolk is a breeding county, and - its Marshes are comparatively small: be- side, if its own stock are not sufficient, it has a regular and ample supply from the breeding grounds of Scotland. Whereas, Kent has no internal supply, either of cattle or sheep(the cattle of the Weald excepted), and is situated at the veriest extremity of the Island, with respect to the breeding countries. Scotland, the North of England, Wales, the Midland Counties, and the West of England, all lie at a great distance, and have intermediate markets for their stock. ROMNEY MARSH. Bs 7 Many Welch cattle, it is true, reach this’ a extreme point of the Island; but barely ee enough to supply the upland districts, and Mei to assist the sheep, and the sithe(and the ough few rearing cattle which the Weald may why alford) to keep down the grass of the Yat- Marshes. It might take the whole surplus bod produce of the Principality, to stock this inter,: extensive level of Marsh lands, entirely with; it n- Welch cattle.* is is Upon thé.whole, it appears, pretty evi- ‘Ol dently, that the GENERAL ECONOMY, and ie 4 present system of management, of the Dis- able trict under view, have grown out of a. sort and of necessity; arising from its extent, and be relative situation; and that it behoves its nt, it owners and occupiers, to use every endeavor . the towards doing away the evils, which attend reas, its present plan of management; and to attle adapt it, in the best manner possible, to ed), given circumstances. ty of Se ; ie Marshes within the estuary of the THAMES, ding below Woolwich, are chiefly stocked with large cattle, and, from the Western, Midland, and Northern parts of fest England. But these Marshes, though much richer than nd those of Romney, are, comparatively, of inconsiderable extent. ck VOL. I. Ce ~ C—O a aa. OLE OO a eee re ee: Tl a i cSt te se OE 386 ROMNEY MARSH. The great thing to be desired, and almost the only one wanted, is SHELTER 3 and this may be had, with certainty, and without excessive cost. Ordinary hedges, planted at or near the surface, would be found, probably have been found, impracticable to be raised, between grounds that are continually pastured with sheep, which have no other shrubs to gra- tify their appetites. But, by: MOUND HEDGEs, such as are in common use, in DevoNsHiRE and CorN- WALL, an immediate shelter might be ob- tained; and the shrubs planted upon them, to increase the shelter, and to bind the mounds together, as well as to raise cop- pice wood, would be placed out of the reach of sheep. How so great and obvious an improve- ment should so long have been overlooked may be a matter of surprise. Yet had I not previously examined the fences of De- yonshire and Cornwall, this mean of im- provement, evident as it may seem, might not have occurred. So requisite it is, that, to point out the means of improving any particular district, a general knowledge, of = ous— ee aN A RE a al a aE Da ER ST I I ATL IE EE ae ROMNEY MARSH. 387 / Rie the several practices of the kingdom, should Jha be previously learnt.! I do not hesitate to speak of this, as an improvement, which may be set about, with ar the a moral certainty of success. The great ¢ been depth of soil, which the Marsh lands in bt| general possess, would afford ample ma- bith terials, for mounds of any height and width. 0 gla In Devonshire and Cornwall, where the soil is seldom more than seven or eight inches are in deep, a sufficiency is ever found; there be- ORN-| ing no other method of raising a hedge, in 2 OD-| use; be the soil and situation what they them, may. id. the Some difficulty may be experienced, in » Cop finding a species of coppice woop, which reach will flourish in this bleak and maritime situation. But where the foundation is prove broad, and the outline simple, study and looked perseverance will generally obviate small had| difficulties, in carrying up the superstruc- if De ture. Out of the naked gravelly flat, which of in| has been mentioned; near/Hithe, the black might tborn rises, though in a dwarfish state: ‘that, but a species of salix grows up with greater oe luxuriance. On the rich mounds of Marsh 7 soil, both of them may be found.to flourish: a Cce _ 2 ce m ae, rn— i a-——=: marssn=e enn RE ee ORs ee Ae er aE EET TE a PRET QU SE STE Ota aon tet iin tenant sn “i ¢ 5 5 388 ROMNEY MARSH. if not, roots, cuttings, and seeds of every tree and shrub should be tried, until the right one is discovered. For coppice wood, growing on the tops of the mounds, would not only increase their power of shelter, and bind them together with their roots, but would afford fagot wood, at least, for the embankment; and thus enable the Marsh lands to contribute to their own defence. On the sides of the mounds, the black thorn might be propagated, either by roots or seeds, with certainty; and, probably, with a doubly good effect; as tending to bind and guard the face of the bank;* and as affording that supply of natural food, which, as has been hinted, may be essen- tial to the health of sheep.t To prevent them from climbing the mound, coping turves, and brushwood over hanging the face of it, should be used: this being a species of guard, which is found effectual, not only on the new mound fences * See WEstT OF ENGLAND, MIn: 12. on this par- ticular. + See note page 326. eT Oe ee ee ee ROMNEY MARSH. 389 "every of the West of England, but on the rabbit til the/ warren sod walls of Yorkshire, and the ‘Wood,|: stone walls of plantations, in the Highlands would, of Scotland; where the deerlike sheep of helter,| those mountains, are much better enabled roots,| to scale a hedge mound, than the heavy st, for longwooled breed of Romney Marsh.* eae These mound fences would render the udu STAGNANT SEWERS useless. They should, of course, be filled up, and all stagnant mist waters, saving such as are wanted for the wei use of pasturing stock, be driven back, out sa of the higher parts of the Marshes, into i| the larger channels and common shores; a thus rendering the habitable country more !| healthy, than it can possibly be, at present. fod, Should difficulties arise, respecting the saa situations of the mounds, whether they should be raised on this or that side of the y the sewer fences, which divide distinct proper- vor| ties, let Parliament determine, and lay down US regulations, to prevent ill disposed indivi- fount| duals from hindering the progress of im- fences * For the method of RAISING MOUND FENCES, in Devonshire, with remarks on the proper mode of 5 pat TREATING THEM, in the state of growth, see WEst or ENGLAND. Sect: Fences,&c. S 7———= i eT A ee i wee‘= a Oe:=:-= Sk Ds oe EEE tO ca ee iO 390 ROMNEY MARSH. provement, and obstructing the general good. The best method of proceeding, perhaps, would be, to get off the water, in the spring, fill up the sewers, early in summer; and, in the ensuing winter and spring, raise mounds, by degrees(so as to give the foun- dation time to settle firmly) on the sites of the water fences. In this case, filling up the sewers with the hillocks and protuberances of the areas of the adjoining Marshes, might be found eligible; or, where the areas are already adjusted, with the subsoil of the land, immediately on either side; throwing back the surface mold, and giving a length- ened slope towards the fence. For facing and coping the mounds, thick turves, raised in the areas of the Marshes, wherever sur- face drains were wanted, should be used: thus effecting the double purpose of drain- ing the land; and of raising the fences, without lowering, unnecessarily, the ground on either side of them.* The. expence, of raising these fences * See Miptanp Countries, MIN: 49, on this point of management. Ss; aes a nn nn———— Sit TS es pA LR 5 LS OA TSS eee }* renera} haps, pring, ; and, ralse foun- ites of up the rances might 1S are t the Wing angth- facing raised oY Sur used: drain fences, round fences in this ROMNEY MARSH. 3gt would, doubtless, be considerable; but not much more than the strong post. and rail fences, that are now in use; and whose duration is only temporary; whereas the mound coppice hedges, that are here pro- posed, would, with the ordinary care and expence of repairs, which fences of every kind are liable to, continue for ages. While the value of their shelter, from the day they were raised, would be tenfold that of the extra expence in forming them. This expence, however, is not to be borne by tenants, without suitable remuneration. In general, proprietors should make the improvement, and tenants pay an adequate advance of rent. Or, where tenants, of capi- tal and spirit, have long leases, let them effect it; and be allowed an adequate sum, for the remainder of uhprovement, whenever they quit, or their leases expire. Whether we estimate the saving of pro- perty, and rescuing from a state of misery thousands of useful and inoffensive animals, ‘n severe winters; or the increase of health to the human species, inhabiting this exten- sive and valuable tract of country; this im- provement is most desireable. And, alter -_ a i,-.——~ mare od —{ ite SS Sa a a a OO TS ee ARETE Sit T itn OP gece gaps PEST ea eI aio aN a con arn meer ne 392 ROMNEY MARSH. much consideration, nothing of impracti- cability appears; nor any reason why it should not, forthwith, be carried into effect; so far, at least, as to form one or more in- closures, on each farm, or separate holding. In these sheltered inclosures, hay might be given to the ewes, in long and severe winters; and, in deep snows, the triangular scraper or SNOW SLEDGE of NoRFOLK, might be used with good.effect; in uncovering the natural herbage reserved in these inclo- sures: by which means, they might be pre- served, in strength and condition, to keep the lambs alive, until the spring be con- firmed; instead of these being suffered to die at the feet of their dams, for want of nourishment. Two other obvious subjects of improve- ment present themselves; even ina cursory view of these Marsh lands. The one relates to a better DEFENCE of the ENviRons of Romney, from the break- ing in of the sea, as well as from the blow- ing sands, that have been‘noticed. This, it is more than probable, might be effected, by the means of high artificial Marram Banks, similar to those which I formerly Pract}. vy it effect re In- Iding, night evere ular might Ig the Inclo- pre keep cons ed to nt of rove: sory cE of yreake blow: This ected, RAM rerly snare Se ROMNEY MARSH. 393 suggested for defending the eastern coast of NorFo_k. This simple and easy plan of defence, is to be excuted, in the summer season,— when the sands are light, and the tides are low,—by two lines of slight fencing, placed some yards from each other, to catch the blowing sands; and, on these, to propa- gate the Magram plant ,—here provincially “BENT; namely, arundo arenaria, or sea- sand reed. See NorFoLx, Min: 106. Not only the mischiefs, to which the in- closed lands now are liable, by the drifting of the sand, as well as by the occasional inroads of salt water(which spoils or injures the herbage, on which it lodges, for some years) might probably be avoided; but many hundred acres of unreclaimed coast (or rather a bay within the line of coast) over which the high tides now regularly flow, might possibly be rescued from the waves, at a comparatively small expence. The other is the GRAVELLY FLAT, already mentioned, which forms the eastern point of the level, near.HiTHE; and which con- sists, perhaps, of more than a thousand acres of surface. és er< mee? re Ty ae? a ne ee i BST malian ape a Say:: ET IT cmd i, ge Rn Tet OT aa pc cesta iarecrcnilcan, Aa eee A — 394 ROMNEY MARSH. This tract lies, at present, almost wholly unproductive; a principal part of it, en- tirely so; loose, naked, clean-washed sea gravel, of asharp flinty nature. The west end, towards the productive Marsh lands, has.a slight covering of sward; on which I saw sheep depasturing: this part having been longer formed, ahd freed from the in- roads of the sea. Nature’s process, in. rendering‘this dis- couraging subject, this deep bed of naked flints, useful to the vegetable and animal parts of creation, is this..‘The first conspi- cuous plant, of the herbaceous kind, is the tall oat grass(avena elatior) whose bulbous roots, in a state of decay, probably afford nourishment to a species of agrostis; from what I could judge of it,in the month of Sep- tember, the agrostis canina, or brown bent. This spreads a sort of network over the gra~ vel; and, onthis slight foundation, small ant- hills are raised!—doubtless, with particles of soil, fetched up from the base of the bed of gravel, or with the few that may be lodged among it.»These being trodden down, in their’ infant state, and from time to time, by the feet of animals, or scattered, by other ! ROMNEY MARSH. 395 Wholly| means, a coat of soil is formed, sufficiently se| to sustain a sward of pasturable herbage. se And, perhaps, the best assistance, that © West art can lend, is to endeavor to forward na- land ture’s work: to propagate the oat grass, hich| the agrostis, and the indefatigable ant: ei whose labors, in this instance, are conspi- ie i cuously useful; and may be beneficial in others. 8 dis- Nevertheless, it will be right to mention naked another idea, which occurred to me, in nimal viewing this extensive waste. In the neigh- Ispi- bourhood of Inverness, in the North of Scot- sthe| land, I saw the sea kale(crambe maritima) lbous flourishing in sea gravel, almost as free from afford soil, or earthy matter, as that which» is from under notice. If this nutritious culinary of Sep| vegetable would thrive on the gravels of bent, Hithe, and could be applied to any purpose era| of agriculture, an immense improvement lant.| might, at once, be made. If not, some rticles| other gross-growing marine plant may be i| induced to thrive; and to rot on the sur- deel| face, as nourishment for the oat and bent in id| grasses; or to bring forward, in a more ime, summary way, a sward of pasturable her- other| bage. — ir»,‘ ef" 5. ae a A re ae y e aS * a, ae aa! he pea PD z-" rR. ee.——— a” ie> wets ig WORE: ocacae LRP OOS IT les Gee E BOOST cgi cep TE ars NOE le a aaa Neate SGT EE SA waste On— ae irene "Rs. phos pee as om a Soe THE Paks: ERG T OF CANTERBURY. WITH the intention of taking a cursory view of East Kent, and of gaining a ge- neral idea of its rural practices,—but most particularly, for the purpose of going over its HOP GROUNDS, and marking the varieties of practice, which distinguish the culture and management of the DistricT or Can- TERBURY, from that of-MaipstonE,—l spent a few wecks, in the autumn of 1795, ‘in looking over the eastern parts of the county; directing my attention, chiefly, to ibis District, the Ist—E or THANET, and Romney Marsu; and, bere, principally to the Hop cuETURE;—to which, alone, I shall | DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY. 397 confine my remarks, in this division of my work. . The HOP DISTRICT of East Kent may be said to reach, from Sittingbourn to Sandwich; the ENVIRONS OF CANTERBURY being the center and heart of the District. The culture, in this part, extends, on every side of the town, to the feet of the hills that overlook it; and into the VALLEY or Har- BLEDOWN, which is cut off, by a ridge of hill, from the immediate environs of Can- terbury. East and west of this main body, ae| the hop grounds are thinly scattered, in de- tached and distant plots. TPe ay The SPECIES, or varieties, grown in the caver DisTRIcT OF CANTERBURY, are Chiefly two. ‘in The common‘“ WHITE BINE, or what, in ulture West Kent, is called the Canterbury hop; ae and the“ RED BINE, or“ FLEMISH HOP.” za| The former is the best in quality; the latter 05, more hardy and productive; being léss ob- the= noxious to the attack of the numerous ene- Fp mies, to which this species of produce is wh peculiarly liable. In 1795, the white bines ‘yl| were almost wholly cut off, except under .| particular circumstances; while the red ze pe aed——— ve SS Le Was= = wins all- ae- ore Beth Ose Se RS IO a is REIN NE acy git FS aca Ee Nag AN a al SA RE Ne i A i i Se 398 HOPS. bines, in many instances, bore a middling crop. SOIL. In the environs oF CANTER- BURY, the sorx is of various qualities; from sandy loam to a strong brick earth; the depth being generally great; as eighteen inches to two feet deep; and the sussol_, or base, invariably cHaLK. On this land, as on lands of a similar nature, in the Dis- trict of Maidstone, hop grounds may be said to be perpetual. Inthe VALLEY or HarBLEDOWN, the soil is of a more sandy nature: indeed, the lower skirts of the valley is a sheer sand; and the immediate subsoil the same; there being no appearance of calcareous substances. Yet, here, hops are grown with success, and en- dure for a length of time. On inquiring the age of a flourishing plantation, I was told, by a workman who assisted in planting it, that it was about thirty years old. On further inquiry, however, I found, that, although the chalk, in this valley, does not rise to near the surface, it nevertheless lies at no very considerable depth; shallow wells, or shafts, being usually sunk, to bring — a et eri ee eae ED DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY. 399| ddling it to the surface, for the use of the land, ie | And, as the downward roots of the hop g \. E= NTER-| strike to a great depth,* there can be little a from doubt of the productiveness and duration of > the; the hops, on those lands, being’ owing to the iteen calcareous earth’they comprize. Indeed, jit SOIL,| is not probable; that, in a country, like this, land,| surrounded on almost every side, with chalk Die| hills, any of‘its soils, or superficial strata, ie said| should be’ entirely free from calcareosity. | Remark. Hence the valley of Harbledown; e soll| which, at first sight, seemed'‘adverse to the ower| idea, that a calcareous substratum is neces- dthe| sary to the long duration of the hop, ae ng no on close examination, to be a‘good evidence Yet, in its favor.: ad en- PLANTING. What e esibiaged my atten- uiring| tion, principally, on this head, is the pis- [was| TANCE at which the hills are placed, in this anting| District. It varies, here; as about Maid- | stone; but is, on the whole, shorter, even found,| than in the Maidstone quarter.- Six feet y, does three inchés’square, seems to be considere , does thelss as the best medium distance. But the poles, i slow here, are shorter, than they are in’ West brin p* See District OF MAIDSTONE, page 179. | _—— e sian= es. a ene Paes ES et Skea e i fe SE OE oie 2G ie aeRO cee is ES eee Scan patina ARAB ei ratnint REI——— > adams TT——_ E PTET eet en ee ee ee Se EE ae EE eee wes 400 HO Pus: a Kent; the soils being less powerful, than' a} the coomb-on-rock lands of Maidstone.: It is observable that, here(as in Here-. fordshire, where the plow is in use) many| i plantations are set out in ROWS;—not in b squares, or regularly aquincunx; the width| t of the intervals, or the distance between the rows, being seven or eight feet; the dis-| tance between the hills, in the rows, about| four feet. This gives more room for the subplows and harrows, that are in use, here, peer as in West Kent,—as well as a better op- x portunity of cropping the intervals,—than th is permitted by regular spaces.| 1 MANURES. These are the same, here, een as in West Kent. Compost is every where Fag preparing, in the autymnal months. And. Be WOOLEN RAGS are much in use.: fee The POLES are shorter, and generally bt of a worse quality, in this, than in the west-| ern parts of the county. The practice of ar planting coppices, with woods proper for oe this purpose, does not appear to have got a ae footing, here. The poles, in general, stand Jean from ten to fifteen feet above the ground. eee Their lengths, of course, run from twelve to seventeen or eighteen feet.-- ae DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY. 40t“ wer ag than SPRING MANAGEMENT. Unper- ne, CROPS are more frequent, here, than about Heres| Maidstone. They are chiefly, potatoes and ) many beans: the latter being here preferred; as not in being thought to“ attract the vermin;” Width that is, the flies of the aphis tribe. zen the Remark. But whether the apbis of the he dis- bean, and the apbis of the bop, are one and , about the same species, or whether they exclude for the their young, indiscriminately, on these two e, here, plants, is not perhaps known. If, on ma- er op-_ ture examination, it should be found, that —than the bean does not, in fact, draw off the aphis | fly, from the hop>lants; nevertheless, it e, here, is possible, that some other plant may be y where found, to perform this desireable part; and i ae i may be worth the planter’s while, to try to discover such a plant, and to cultivate it enerally in the intervals of his hop grounds. eae SUMMER MANAGEMENT. The actice of same, or a similar kind of horse hoe, or sub~ et plow of many shares, as is in use in West ee Kent, is-seen in the hop grounds of Can- “isi terbury: as well as the harrow of a similar a‘ construction. pe In the autumn of 1795, the hop gardens of ae East Kent, taken in the ageregate, were VQL. 3, Dd =—© RS ie 2=—— é a—_ pager ag eh ee Mian: cme PES aan RS ee, csccne cam nanan P< 0! SEE esl SY EE EES SPLOT BOE te es REIN 402, HOPS. not in so gardenly a state of culture, as those| bla of West Kent‘were, in 1790. The major fall part, however, were in high order; and it cha was not evident, whether those which, in effe the early part of September, were seen in a Pa ati foul neglected state, owed it to slovenliness;|] or whether, from the discouraging pro-| aug! spect of a crop, they were purposely left the unworked. wer ENEMIES. The year 1795 was one of that the most fatal years the hop planters ever ticur knew. On the better lands, in the neigh- rant bourhood of Canterbury, most especially on Bioee those which were in a high state of cultiva-—| tion and condition, scarcely a hop matured! aoe Some time previous to the season of| Tepe ripening, they were attacked by the aputs, ne with which the leaves were much infested._ z But, at the time I saw them, the beginning if of*September, they were covered with cocci-| chat nellé,-—lady birds; which are well known plan to feed on the larve of the aphis: the ex- ff perienced planter considering his hops safe,; from the latter, when the former appear in lieve. force. and But the finishing‘ blow was given by ln the“ siicuT;” the whole plant becoming me i | i ty DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY. 403" aS thoe ae| black, as if the smoke from a furnace had > Majo |‘ fallen upon them: the half matured hops and it; ei ih| changing to hard knobs, or berries. This ch, in y effect, however, was no more, perhaps, than en in i sate ,: a natural consequence of the aphides.* Ines: ie kd = This being as it may, it is a fact which } a° “aN ought not to be left unnoticed, here, that ly y et the foul lands, which have been mentioned, were, generally speaking, the only ones one of| that escaped the mischief! This I find par- oe|; be is hee| ticularly noted, in my Journal, in six diffe- ligh-| rent places, as the facts occurred, in walking. 2 ly on:_ over the grounds. In one instance, the in- ultivae| tured|* Philosophers and Naturalists differ in their opinions, son of respecting the CAUSE of the BLIGHT Or MILDEW. One is of opinion(see Dr. Forpycer’s Elements of Agri- APHIS,§ : culture, Ed. 1796, p. 111.) that it proceeds from a weak vested state of the plant; whose juices are thereby converted inning into sugar, which allures insects. Another, that the sac- h occ charine mucus, which is palpable on the surface of plants, is the feces of the aphides which feed on them, know Both positions may be well grounded: the saccharizing the ex:| process, in the one case, taking place within the plant, ps sil in the other, within the animal. Mr. Currts, I be- pai lieve, may claim the discovery, respecting the aphis: | and the appearance of the hops, under notice, was simi- lar to that of a sallow, which I saw in Mr. Curtis’s aN by GARDEN, near Brompton; and which owed its sooty ap- omnis pearance, pretty evidently, to aphides. Dde 2 ie Ti i ae ses 2 pa ye OURAN at coal FES aus RE ei aN coaratllcae GY wu 404, HAOrPes. tervals were green as grass; appearing as it the weeds and grasses that had been suffered to grow up, had been struck off with a sithe:; yet, here, the vines were loaded with hops. In two or three instances, the qua- lity of the soil had evident influence: the richer deeper soils being, in each case, the worst. In a piece whose intervals were partially cropped with potatoes, the crop- ped part was perceptibly the best. In one instance, the outside row, to the east, was loaded with hops, while the rest of the piece, of several acres, was abortive. And in ano- ther, the entire piece was cut off, while tHe wild hops, in the hedges, flourished, on every side. And, lastly, the red bine hops es- caped, incomparably better, than the white bine variety.' REMARK. What shall we infer from these as such they may be safely relied he whole mischief was done by the aphides, these incidents serve to show, that the aphis fly prefers a luxuriant, free-grow- ing plant; one whose foliage is of a soft deli= cate texture, to another whose leaves are q a harsher more rigid nature; whose surfaces nay be less penetrable, and whose Juices et > + oh i f Eatin et es MEE Sirs=— ">-—_—e DISTRICT OF-CANTERBURY.:-~ 405 Tg ast may be less acceptable and nutritive to her sult young offspring.* The wild hop and the witha red bine(which is considered as nearly: ded with| allied to it), as well as the stinted hops of| the qua: foul poor ground(though of the white bine ce: the variety), fall under the latter description. ‘ase, the Again, the stillness and warmth, which the ls were| inner rows of a plantation enjoy, may be Ie(tp. more genial to them, than an eastern expo- In one sure. ast, Was Had the forced plants escaped the aphides, e pieve,—and other enemies, and diseases, to which tL ano- such plants appear to be peculiarly liable-— hile the their produce would, doubtless, have been much greater, than that of the foul stinted yn every 0p plants under notice. But an excessive crop, Fe viite in a general bearing year, may be deemed a misfortune, rather than an advantage: for, in that case, the price is proportionally. yin these| low: and the exhaustion generally such, as 3 ly relied: a bythe to render the plantation barren, for one or “ht more years afterward. ow, that| rh e610F* Or shall we say—aphides prefer an overgrown en- oftdeli- feebled plant, to one which is. more robust, and better sate able to withstand their attack? In animals, a weak en- races feebled state is that in which they are most liable to be ‘as attacked by vermin. e juice a es I_. ee ~-.— APOIO rt aa ee i in ee AS a nas a YR a cee acedle FS case Ean ce maui scence SAL AOE | | ) 406 OPS. Hence, in the forcing of hop plants, there appears to be a pcint, beyond which the cultivator cannot pass, with propriety. In the District of Maidstone, we have seen, that a luxuriance of vine and foliage is, with great probability, productive of the mould, and other diseases; and, in this District, it seems equally probable, that such an exu- berance renders them more liable to the attack of the aphis. There is a MEDIUM POINT which every cultivator should en- deavor to find, and to it direct his plan of management. The foul stinted crops, here brought forward, are evidently below that point; and it may be worth the while of more spirited cultivators, to examine, with care, and to endeavor to ascertain, by com- parative experiments, whether the present practice of such cultivators, is not consi- derably above it: and whether,(in‘free- growing seasons at least) checking the luxu- riance of the vines and foliage, instead of forcing them, in the summer months, would not,fon the whole, be: the most eligible management. See the DistricT or Maip- STONE, p. 294, on this subject. Nts, thers ich th lety, h WE Seen, e 18, with Mould, Strict, it all eXU- to the| MEDIUN wld ene plan of 0s, here ow that while of he, with by cot present t consis in free. he luxu- stead 0! s, would eligible » MAtD- DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY. 407 PICKING. The season of picking usually commences, here, some days later, than in West Kent. In a common year, the picking becomes general, about the lat- ter end of the first week of September: in 1795,not generally until thefourteenth: the first piece was begun upon, on the tenth. This comparative backwardness is to be accounted for, in the Canterbury grounds lying to the north of the Chalk Hills, and in their being exposed to the north and east winds; while the same range of hills rises, as a lofty skreen to the Maidstone planta- tions. In the BUSINESS OF PICKING there is a notable difference, between the practices of East and West Kent. Instead of employ- ing the bins, bin-cloths, and measure, of the latter, the poles are here set up, ina leaning posture, against tall tressils—pro- vincially«horses;”’—under which large BASKETS, holding five bushels each, are placed, to receive the hops, as they are picked; and, on the inside of each basket, circles, or dots, are painted, at measured distances; so that each space between them shall comprize exactly one bushel of hops; i i SA tt Pa eH a ee oe PO iy east cre Rice) Se a ee ee REA ge: ieneseeini ii anneal 408 HOPS. by which simple contrivance the time and labor of measuring are saved. The construction of the“ HoRsEs”’‘is equally simple: being merely that of set- ting up strong stakes or poles, about. six feet asunder, and running a line of. slender poles, horizontally, along them, and at four feet and a half from the ground. The stakes or upright poles.are let into the ground, as hop poles; and each has an artificial fork, or crutch, near the top, for the hori- zontal poles to rest on. This is given, by inserting a stout wooden pin, so as to form an acute angle with the top of the pole, or standard; whose whole length is six or seven feet. In each interspace, between the stakes, a picking basket is placed; and to each basket is allowed two or more pickers;.as a wo- man and her children, or two indifferent persons, who agree to pick together. Six or eight: loaded poles being placed at one end of the horse, the pickers take them, one by one, and recline them over the bas- ket; which is set towards the other end of the horse; the pickers(if two) standing one on either side of it. DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY.— 409 Ie and:: Setting up these poles is somewhat more ae trouble than carrying bins(as sedans) from | lot to lot. But the saving of time and dis~ f ae putes, in measuring, would seem to more : than counterbalance that advantage: and ee the apparatus altogether is much simpler, four and cheaper, than that of*West Kent. takes| Ta utes, similar to those of the District lund, of Maidstone, are in use, here, for keeping nial the pickers’ accounts: with the addition of nori- LEADEN TOKENS, for odd bushels. Never- , by theless, a file is carried, to score such bushels, orm on the end of the tally, when the tokens e, Of fall short. This renders the business more wah a complex, and, on a cursory view, apparently less eligible, than it is, in West Kent: see 8, 4 page 251. asket DRYING HOUSE. Isaw one, ona very Wo- simple and eligible plan, in this District. A rent| long-square building is divided, lengthways, Sy into two equal or nearly equal parts, by a ‘one partition, running from end to end;and from hem, the ground floor to near the ridge of the bie roof. On one side of this partition, three | kilns are placed; the space over them be- ing free and open, to the roof. The other . side is divided into stories; having a ground, mi 5 en See_= oe —— PRE BES< Spton 3 ill ha sg cee a ae BS REY i el AD IN a ct FRE, uset WS ip nea hai, ESPN OE 410 HOPS. a chamber, and an attic floor; the tops, or fon of the kilns rising to the page between the two last. The green or fresh-gathered hops are hoisted, by tackle, to the attic, as a receiving room; from whence they are shot, or sho- velled down, up8n the kiln cloths; and, when dried, are thence thrown down, with equal facility, into the store room: and, from this, are lowered,.in the operation of packing, into the warehouse, on the ground floor. Of the nop KILN, too, I found a valuable variety, in this District. In two of the dry-~ ing houses that I examined(the one a < public oast” of four kilns, the other a pri- vate one of three) the kilns were invariably heated, with sea coal. But instead of con- veying the heat into the body of the'kiln, by the means of iron cylinders, as in West Kent, flues of brickwork are formed, on the inner side of the walls of the kiln, on the principle of the garden stove, or hot house.- A mode of construction which ap- pears to be safer, and to be calculated to promote a more even and general heat, than the cockles of the Maidstone quarter. en ee i. ee a DISTRICT OF CANTERBURY.= it Ops, Or ' In other particulars, whether relating to away the cuLTURE or the MANAGEMENT of hops, | I met with nothing, in this District, which en| is preferable to, or differing much from, the Ving practice already described, in the DistRictT Si10- oF MAIDSTONE. and, With and, on of ‘ound able dty- END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. ne a pri iably COlls kiln, West 1, on 1, on hot | ape d to: han Written by the same Author, brid to be Wad of the Publishers of these Welumes,. (together, or in Parts)© THE PRESENT PRACTICE OF RURAL ECONOMY, IN THE SIX AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENTS ENGLAND; IN TWELVE VOLUMES, OCTAVO: CONTAINING THE MANAGEMENT OF LANDED PROPERTY, THE TREATMENT OF WOODLANDS, AND THE PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE, IN EACH: } i | 4 | sett or idols Ra) PET a= * ee Bae THE PRACTICE OF THE NORTHERN DEPARTMENT BEING EXEMPLIFIED, IN THE RURAL ECONOMY OF YORKSHIRE; In two Volumes, price 125. in Boards. THAT OF THE WESTERN DEPARTMENT, IN THE RURAL ECONOMY OF GLOCESTERSHIRE; In two Volumes, price 125. in Boards. THAT OF THE CENTRAL DEPARTMENT, IN THE RURAL ECONOMY OF THE MIDLAND ie COUNTIES. In two Volumes, price 14s. in Boards. THAT OF THE EASTERN DEPARTMENT, IN THE RURAL ECONOMY OF NORFOLK. In two Volumes, price 125. in Boards. a i Bese So eae ii THAT OF THE “MORE WESTERN DEPARTMENT,+ IN THE, RURAL ECONOMY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND. In two Volumes, price 125. in Boards. AND FHAT OF THE SOUTHERN DEPARTMENT, IN THE RURAL ECONOMY OF THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES. In two Volumes, Octavo. ALSO, Speedily will be published A NEW EDITION OF MINUTES,&c. OF AGRICULTURE, " IN THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES: In two Volumes Octavo. ge These fourteen Volumes will contain the whole of what Mr. MarsHAtt has published on the subject of| AGRICULTURE. Likewise may be had, of the samé BOOKSELLERS 5 PLANTING AND RURAL ORNAMENT, A PRACTICAL TREATISE. In two Volumes Octavo, price 145: in Boards. ALSO, A REVIEW OF THE LANDSCAPE,&c. WITH PRACTICAL REMARKS ON RURAL. ORNAMENT. In one Volume Octavo, price 5s. in Boards. BY THE SAME AUTHOR, ne ee on a Te - TT em= SREP TT HET a a imo Pua Ny 3 sine Ny. E ‘ LENT, rds, 4 ; t i ; |/ = s 4 ; o *« ao i | 4»~ : 4 } | —— a aan eee ee.- A a— 3 si a ai #7 en ae x aaa ae Sms nas me Sere aa = Ire = , oN Danes NZ ANY alas =e PIC Mt ne PATER i O Ge 50 ti 2c 'Q O 0 i ee iO Colour&