282 
Farming of Monmouthshire. 
The Levels. — A liighly important part of this county lies in 
the southern district, namely, the Caldicot and Wentlloog Levels, 
which, many centuries ago, were reclaimed from the sea, it is 
supposed by the Dutch. Whenever this work was carried out, it 
must have been a stupendous undertaking, it being exposed in its 
entire length to the most violent action of the sea. The defences 
and works to maintain the land against the incursions of the sea 
are exceedingly costly and onerous, and are maintained under the 
direction of Commissioners appointed by the Crown and the 
Duchy of Lancaster, This commission is renewed every ten 
years. 
These levels of Wentlloog and Caldicot extend from the river 
Wye, which bounds the county of Monmouth on the east, to the 
river Rhymney, which divides it from Glamorganshire on the 
west. The river Usk separates these lowlands into two distinct 
districts : the one on the eastern side is called the Caldicot Level, 
and contains 15,682 acres of excellent land, and that on the 
western side is known as the Wentlloog Level, extending over 
8723 acres. 
Tlie whole of this tract of land is an alluvial deposit, and, when 
properly and judiciously drained, becomes rich and highly pro- 
ductive. Its protection, however, from the incursions of the sea 
requires most vigilant and careful attention, and for this purpose 
there are two surveyors engaged by the Commissioners to watch 
and carry out the necessary works for its protection as well as for 
its tlrainage. 
The sea-walls and banks, erected as defences against the rush 
of the tide, are about 42 miles in length, and are chiefly main- 
tained and kept in repair by the owners of certain lands to which 
the liability is attached. Other portions, however, are maintained 
bv the Commissioners out of a general rate made upon the level. 
The drainage is at present carried out by means of sewers or large 
drains, by which the water is conveyed to the outfalls ; and these 
works are in part public and part private. The public Reens, 
as the open drains are locally called, within the Caldicot Level, 
are 113 miles in length, and those within the Wentlloog Level 
are 46 miles, making in the whole no less than 159 miles. These 
in their entire length are kept in repair and cleansed by the 
owners of certain lands, which are subject to these charges by 
and under the direction of the Commissioners. 
Throughout the district, of course, the fertility and productive- 
ness of the soil is very greatly influenced by the way in which 
these onerous duties are carried out. Notwithstanding the ex- 
tensive drainage here spoken of, the requirements of the district 
are really very far short of that which it supplies. The land 
on that account varies considerably in its quality, and the crops 
