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Farming of Kent. 
II. The Green Sand (provincially iermedi Kentish rag), forming 
a prominent feature, and running parallel with the chalk through 
the entire length of the county from east to west. 
III. The Wealden, comprising the valley of the Weald clay, 
strictly so called, and the Iron or Hastings Sand ; together witli 
the extensive alluvium of Romney Marsh. 
I shall state the principal varieties of soil, the prevalent 
modes of cultivation, and the average produce of each of these 
divisions ; notice the chief improvements that have been effected 
within the last half century, and occasionally throw out such hints 
for a still further advancement as may appear to be necessary and 
practicable. Such I conceive to be the principal objects sought 
to be attained by these Essays. 
I.— The Chalk. 
This formation occupies a very large portion of the county, 
through the whole extent of its northern boundary, running in a 
direction nearly east and west from Folkstone to Westerham. 
The escarpment of the chalk on the south presents a considerable 
elevation, in many places quite abrupt, in which are dug deep pits 
for supplying the adjacent lime-kilns with materials. This lime 
has been very extensively used for agricultural purposes, more 
particularly on the heavier soils in the lower parts of the county, 
where little or no limestone is to be found. Along the whole 
northern portion of the county, from Greenwich to the Isle of 
Thanet, the chalk is overlaid, at different places, with extensive 
and deep portions of London clay, alluvium, and brick earth — the 
latter varying much in its texture, from a light sharp sand (in 
some places abounding in small gravel and coarse pebbles) to a 
heavy and tenacious clay — generally, however, productive, and in 
many instances highly so, affording the richest arable land in the 
county. The alluvium of the chalk formation is found chiefly in 
the valley of the Thames, where it forms rich and extensive 
marshes, particularly between the Medvvay and the Thames, 
below Gravesend. A large number of cattle and sheep are fed on 
these flats, and disposed of principally at Smithfield. The greater 
part of the Isle of Sheppy consists of marsh, while an alluvium 
may be traced all along the course of the Stour, widening as it 
proceeds from Ashford, through Canterbury, till the river reaches 
the sea below Sandwich. Tiie Stour is navigable for barges to 
within a short distance of Canterbury, and is consequently of some 
importance to that portion of the county. A considerable breadth 
of marsh land stretches from Sarre towards Reculver, wliich, 
when sound and dry, forms a rich pasture : in many places, how- 
ever, it requires draining. The London clay is found in patches, 
generally of small extent. The greatest development occurs along 
