6 



NATURAL HISTORY 



Our wells, at an average, run to about 

 sixty-three feet, and when sunk to that 

 depth, seldom fail ; but produce a fine 

 limpid water soft to the taste, and much 

 commended by those who drink the pure 

 element, but which does not lather well 

 with soap. 



To the north-west, north and east of 

 the village is a range of fair inclosures, 

 consisting of what is called a white malm, 

 a sort of rotten or rubble stone which, 

 when turned up to the frost and rain, 

 moulders to pieces, and becomes manure 

 to itself.* 



Still on to the north-east, and a step 

 lower, is a kind of white land, neither 

 chalk nor clay, neither fit for pasture 

 nor for the plough, yet kindly for hops, 

 which root deep into the freestone, and 

 have their poles and wood for charcoal 

 growing just at hand. This white soil 

 produces the brightest hops. 



* This soil produces good wheat and clover. 



