Fanning of Kent. 
283 
it consists of an accumulation of fresh-water shells — chiefly of the 
genus Paludina — with Cypris Faha^ and admits of a fine polish. It 
is sometimes used for ornamental purposes, such as chinmey-pieces, 
&c. The whole of this district is supposed by geologists to have 
once fo^me^l the bed of an extensive lake, or the estuary of a mighty 
river. The Bethersden lime is now but rarely if at all employed : 
it being of a heavy nature, its application was less beneficial on 
clay land than chalk lime. 
Amongst improvers of Weald-clay land, Mr. Schreiber, of 
Henhurst Lodge, may be honourably mentioned. The estate, 
when he took it into his own hands, nearly twenty years ago, was 
in the worst possible condition, yielding scarcely any rent. But by 
making larger enclosures, tliinning hedges, removing trees, together 
with thorough draining, an extraordinary change both in the ap- 
pearance and productive powers of the land has been produced — 
an example of what capital, skill, and enterprise may achieve on 
the stubborn and unproductive soils of the country. Such improve- 
ments, too, when sustained with energy, are fraught with benefits not 
only to the country generally but especially to the neighbourhoods 
in which they are conducted, by aff'ording increased employment 
to the labouring poor. The subsoil on Mr. Schreiber's estate, 
like that of a considerable portion of the Weald, is a stiff yellow 
clay, frequently approaching to within five or six inches of tlie 
surface. The draining has been accomplished on Pearson's system ; 
all three furrows, to the depth of 22 inches, were thrown out by 
the plough, and the clay rammed down on a moveable slide 
formed the drain.* 
The course of cropping on Air. Schreiber's farms is mostly — 
1 . Clean fallow ; 2. Wheat ; 3. Oats ; 4. Seeds ; 5. Seed-ley, fed 
otFby cattle or sheep; 6. Beans or peas; 7. Tares; turnips, &c., 
as preparatory for wheat again. Averages : — wheat, 3^ qrs. (of 
excellent quality) ; oats, 5 to 6 qrs. ; beans, 4^ qrs. ; peas, 3^- qrs. 
per acre. It is important to mention here that when Mr. Schreiber 
commenced his improvements he brought with him most of the 
approved modern implements of the eastern counties, which, after 
repeated trials and untiring perseverance, he has by degrees 
almost abandoned, and has adopted the implements and modes of 
culture common to the district. This fact leads us to remark, 
whatever theorists may say to the contrary, how important it is 
that a man should practically understand the nature of his soil 
* See a pamphlet entitled ' The Uses and Advantages of Pearson's Drain- 
ing Piou°h,' by T. L. Hodges, Esq., London, Ridgway. This mode of 
draining is best adapted to large fields, and upon uniform clays only. It 
is best performed in the wettest weather in winter when upon such soils 
there is little or no employment for teams, and the expense, 24 inches 
deep, for manual labour only, does not exceed \d. per rod. 
VOL. VI. X 
