all aspects of natural life. The area is particularly rich in wild plants, 

 as each of the widely differing types of soil has its own characteristic 

 vegetation. Thus, near Hougham a peculiar outcrop of intensely acid 

 clay gives rise to a patch of acid woodland similar to parts of the Sussex 

 Weald near Ashdown Forest, and a hydrangea nursery has been estab- 

 lished there, as in this soil the flowers naturally assume the blue colouring 

 that has to be artifically induced elsewhere. In places the iron bearing 

 red sands of the Lenham beds come to the surface, and acid loving 

 plants appear incongruously in the midst of the chalk. Here and there 

 the Lenham Sands spill over the cliiTs into the Warren, and where they 

 are deposited quantities of Hart's Tongue Ferns, with Nettle-leaved 

 Bellflower and Stinking Iris with conspicuous red seeds, live side by side 

 with typical chalk flora. 



In summer the short turf of the bare treeless chalk downs is aromatic 

 with wild Thyme, and gay with small brilliant flowers. Rock Rose, 

 Milkwort, Marjoram, Yellow Wort and many others, but the chief 

 treasures of the chalk are the wild Orchids. Botanists from all over 

 the country come to study and photograph them. Over 30 species 

 have been recorded in the district. Bee and Spider, Fragrant and Pyra- 

 midal Orchids, and several uncommon species can be found on the chalk. 

 In sheltered places in the folds of the downs a dense scrub forms where 

 Sweet Briar grows, with Wayfaring Tree and Spindleberry and ropes 

 of Old Man's Beard. 



Though subject to strong winds, the climate of Folkestone is 

 comparatively mild, and it is not uncommon for Primroses to be blooming 

 in our woods before Christmas. Woods in this part of Kent are period- 

 ically clear felled to obtain Sweet Chestnut spiles for fencing, hop poles, 

 and pea and bean sticks. The systematic cutting keeps down the under- 

 growth and the few large trees left standing, mainly oak and beech, cast 

 a light shade that enables all manner of spring flowers to carpet the floor 

 of the woods. The plant hunter, Kingdon Ward, who has travelled 

 so extensively in the Himalayas, once said that nothing that he had seen 

 there could equal Primroses in a Kent Hazel copse. Woods on the chalk 

 are remarkable for several interesting plants with green flowers, including 

 Herb Paris and Green Hellebore or Bear's Foot. Here also is the true 

 Deadly Nightshade with drooping purplish bells followed by large black 

 berries. 



The woodlands have their share of Orchids such as the Fly and 

 Butterfly. Lilies of the Valley and Wild Columbine grow in woods in 

 sandy districts, where are the State Forests, plantations of conifers, 

 largely grown for pit props for the Kent coalfield, and also plantings of 

 hardwoods. Covert Wood, above Elham Valley, is especially rich in mosses. 



The seashore has a flora of considerable beauty and variety, according 

 to the character of the shore line. On sand dunes and shingle, golden 

 Homed Poppy with grey frilled leaves. Sea Convolvulus, Thrift or Sea 



