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XXII. — On the Farming of Kent. By George Buckland, 
Land- Agent. 
Prize Report. 
The county of Kent occupies the south-east corner of England, 
and is admirably situated, in consequence of its maritime position, 
for the transit of its numerous productions — the Thames forming 
its northern boundary; the English Channel washing the whole 
line of its eastern shore ; while the Medway and the Rother, the 
Stour and the Swale, aflford excellent water communication to 
very extensive and fertile districts. The London and Dover Rail- 
Avay, passing down the valley lying beneath the green sandstone 
ridge, supplies a cheap and expeditious transit to those parts of 
the county which are far removed from water communication; and 
other lines, either projected or actually commenced, will open up 
every section of this important county to the agency of steam. It 
is upwards of 60 miles in length, and nearly 40 in breadth, con- 
taining about 900,000 statute acres. 
Climate. — The climate is generally mild and salubrious, al- 
though the north-eastern portion is much exposed to the keen and 
chilHng winds of northern Europe, unmodified, in any material 
degree, by the influence of a wide expanse of water. Hence in 
winter and early spring, a north-east wind frequently prevails for 
many weeks, attended with severe cold, sometimes doing much 
injury, particularly when accompanied by heavy rains, to fruit 
blossoms, and the tender shoots of grass and coi n. The southern 
portion of the county, situated below the range of chalk hills, is 
considerably sheltered from this source of cold ; and may be said 
to have a warmer and more equable climate, particularly where 
the land has been extensively cleared of wood and thoroughly 
drained. 
Divisions. — There is perhaps no county in England whose 
physical and agricultural characters are more distinctly marked, 
and whose productions are therefore more varied, than those of 
Kent. Any one altogether unacquainted with the science of agri- 
culture or geology, in crossing this county from north to south, 
cannot fail to be struck with the very manifest diversities of soil, 
varying physical features of the surface, different modes of culture, 
and the almost ceaseless variety of agricultural produce that would 
come under his observation. For the purposes of this Essay, 
therefore, we shall divide the county into three great sections, in 
accordance with its geological character, and shall treat of the 
agriculture of each formation in the descending order. 
I. The Chalk, having resting upon it detached portions of the 
London clay, and immediately beneath it the Gault, a narrow belt 
of exceedingly tenacious and heavy soil. 
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