INTRODUCTION 



XV 



Berkshire was considered by the older agricultural authorities to 

 consist of four well-marked divisions, i. The Vale, containing all the 

 land north of the Ridgeway, its chief soil being a strong loam which 

 produces abundant crops of wheat and beans, &c. 2. The Chalk Hills, 

 which occupy the central parts of the county, their northern portion 

 consisting of grassy downs, where large flocks of sheep are fed, and on 

 which there are some extensive training-stables for racehorses, while 

 the arable portions of the district are well adapted for turnips, barley, 

 &c. 3. The Kennet Vale, where the soil is usually gravelly or light 

 loam on which turnips and barley are grown. The irrigated meadows 

 of the Kennet yield excellent pasturage, while extensive osier planta- 

 tions are maintained near the stream for basket-making. 4. The 

 Forest Division, which commences on the east of the Loddon and 

 extends across the breadth of the county to Old Windsor. In this 

 district all the preceding varieties of soil are found, but a very large 

 proportion of the country is either open heathland, pine plantations, 

 . or the woodland tracts or parks of Windsor Forest. 



ELEVATION" OF SURFACE. 



Although the highest point in Berkshii-e does not reach 1,000 feet 

 above the sea, there is probably no equally level county which can 

 compare with it in the picturesque character of its sceneiy ; while its 



