2f0 
Farming of Kent. 
first to apply scientific principles to the art of hop-drying. 
The principal object to be aimed at is to procure and apply 
heat in the readiest and most economical manner. The most 
general and approved form of "oasts" now in use is the "cone,'' 
that is, a circular kiln of brickwork, from 15 to 18 feet dia- 
meter, with rafters 24 to 27 feet long, leaving a round opening 
in the apex of the roof, surmounted by a moveable " cowl" the 
object of which is to allow the vapour arising from the drying 
hops freely to escape. The drying-Hoor should be at least 10 
or 12 feet from the fires: it is usually made of stout laths of fir, 
about 2 inches apart, covered with a horse-hair cloth, upon which 
the hops are evenly spread. The improved modern practice con- 
sists in having one or more large fires and openings to one kiln, 
and to admit plenty of cool air from without, the draft being 
regulated by means of flues and sliding doors. The fuel used in 
dr3'ing hops is in all cases charcoal or coke, with some anthracite 
(Welsh) coal. In cockle " oasts, however, common bituminous 
coal is employed, since the furnace is connected with a chimney 
for the escape of smoke. Mr. S. J. Knight, of the Waterside 
Foundry, Maidstone, has recently introduced some important 
changes in the mode of drying hops, by means of heated air 
tubes, &c. His " Patent Hop and Malt Kiln " is a powerful 
apparatus, and from the success which has attended its partial 
introduction, and the attention which Mr. Knight continues to 
bestow on its further improvement, there is reason to hope that 
this invention will ultimately be found of general benefit and ap- 
plication. The recent introduction of the packing-machine, by 
means of which hops can with facility be packed warm, will be 
of advantage in superseding the necessity of large cooling rooms. 
The greatest possible care is required both in the picking and 
curing of hops ; the least neglect in the latter department fre- 
quently occasions serious loss. The whole process of drying, 
pticking, &c., is under the strictest superintendence of the Excise. 
In consequence of the constant and increasing demand for hop- 
poles and fire-wood generallj% the management of wood-land 
forms an important feature in the rural economy of this countj^, 
more particiilai-ly in the hop districts. Increasing attention is 
accordingly paid to this department, and there are but few estates, 
great or small, on which tlie wood-land is not now more productive 
than formerly, although very mucli yet remains to be accom- 
plished. On the Hemsted estate particularly, the property of 
Mr. Hodges, the improvement of wood-lands has been very ex- 
tensively and successfully carried on for the last thirty years. 
Within that period, some woods I remember on that estate 
which were not worth a rent of 5.y. an acre will now realise at 
