302 
Farming of Kent. 
their accumulation and fermentation to vitiate the air and injure 
the health of the inhabitants, which, with systematic arrange- 
ments, might be easily collected and most beneficially applied to 
agricultural purposes, thereby increasing the fertihty of our native 
soil. In some parts of this cotinty the operation of draining 
should be accompanied by making larger enclosures, thinning 
and keeping down hedges, and removing pollards and trees, by 
which means the cultivation would be rendered both easier and 
cheaper, and by the free access of air, light, and heat, the crops 
would be materially increased. I look upon Agricultvu-al As- 
sociations and Farmers' Clubs, which have of late years been 
established in different parts of the county, as among the best 
and most efficient means of advancing the agfricultural art, and 
deserving of all encouragement and support. I think, too, that a 
better school system is peculiarly needed, such as would ensure 
more suitable instruction to the children of farmers and their 
work-people — a system that sliould embrace all those subjects 
which would render a country life more attractive and rational, 
and the pursuit of agriculture more intelligible. The time is no 
doubt approaching when the agricultural population will feel 
more deeply and generally the want of a higher knowledge suited 
to their calling ; which, while it tended to advance the most 
important of the arts — that upon which millions depend for their 
daily bread — would render its cultivators more useful, contented, 
and happy, 
I cannot conclude without expressing my grateful acknow- 
ledgments and deep obligations to those gentlemen who so readily 
and kindly afforded me information and assistance whilst going 
over the county, and for the many valuable contributions with 
which I have since been favoured. 
Fcbruari/28th, 1845. 
