Suchergebnisse

Four Centuries of Farming Systems in Kent, 1500-1900.
The story of farming in the county of Kent during the four centuries from 1500 to 1900 is one of change and fluctuating fortunes — as in other places. The great monasteries who were farmers on a large scale in the early sixteenth century were replaced in the seventeenth by progressive landowners. The county was already famous for sheep and grazed some cattle, produced some milk and dairy goods. The introduction of hop culture led to a famous industry. Fruit, both bush and tree varieties, were introduced and became famous as did market garden produce in the North of the county. Romney sheep were bred in the marshes of that name, and other breeds were kept in the Isle of Sheppey and else-where. The Weald, formerly covered with forest, was gradually reclaimed and made into smallish farms, partly because of the heavy soil, mainly arable with rather low yields. The essay attempts to describe the methods of the farmers as they changed and were improved by new inventions, new crops that were introduced, and better ways of breeding, keeping and feeding domestic animals; and the economic and other difficulties that had to be overcome. It would be impossible here to set out all the events that are recorded in the essay. where. The Weald, formerly covered with forest, was gradually reclaimed and made into smallish farms, partly because of the heavy soil, mainly arable with rather low yields. The essay attempts to describe the methods of the farmers as they changed and were improved by new inventions, new crops that were introduced, and better ways of breeding, keeping and feeding domestic animals; and the economic and other difficulties that had to be overcome. It would be impossible here to set out all the events that are recorded in the essay.