316 
Farming of Hampshire. 
a time of year before the regular season bad commenced for 
opening night schools, that no less than 2131 scholars were 
attending Church of England night schools alone. The Hon. 
and Rev. Samuel Best's testimony goes even farther. He writes 
that " there are very few parishes in the county without them 
[Church of England night schools], that is, where education 
is at all attended to." This extension of a system, peculiarly 
adapted to the wants and opportunities of an agricultural popu- 
lation, is mainly owing to Mr. Best himself, as the secretary 
of the " Southern Counties Adult Education Society," which, 
originating in Hants, has spread into the adjoining counties of 
Wilts and Dorset. 
VI. Improvements still required. 
This is an invitation to criticism. Great respect is, however, 
due to existing practice. Provincial customs, based on the obser- 
vation and experience of generations, were undoubtedly sound at 
the time of their formation. They are apt, however, sometimes 
to endure, by mere force of habit, when no longer suited to 
altered circumstances. Still, he who would farm for profit, 
rather than for amusement or experiment, must be careful to make 
them the basis of improvements, or he will buy his experience 
very dear. Modern farming, not in this county particularly, is 
fancy work, very interesting, but very expensive, and by its 
failures liable to engender mistrust in the minds of practical 
men — prejudiced, perhaps, but not therefore unreasonable. Let 
us keep to the old highway, only perhaps in some parts of this 
county we may improve our pace on it. 
In describing " characteristic farms," much has already been 
said on this topic. All, therefore, that is here added, is in the 
form of inquiries concerning, and suggestions in development 
of, existing customs. 
The northern clays, whilst they are the chief scene of " im- 
provements still required," offer also the most promising field 
of operation. If the north be now full of want, its future is 
full of hope. History shows that this was once the most valuable 
land in the county, and so, with adequate means of cultiva- 
tion, it will be again, for it naturally abounds in all the con- 
stituents of fertility. Here are found most of the residences of 
the ancient families. We prefer to build our houses where we 
find a clear climate, a dry soil, good roads, and an agreeable 
prospect ; our ancestors, on the other hand, lived not only on, 
but by the soil, and kept house on the produce of their own 
homesteads (the word is significant). Now, where in further- 
ance of this object did they settle? Is there, in all Hampshire, 
any seat of agricultural industry more ancient, any more striking 
