Page:Surrey Archaeological Collections Volume 1.djvu/76

 extent of Surrey from east to west is about 39½ miles, and its breadth 25½ miles, the area being 759 square miles or 485,760 acres; its population, at the last census, was 683,082; and it has been well observed that, for its size, perhaps no other English county possesses so many seats of influential men.

Very remarkable statistics are presented also in connection with its agricultural and commercial interests formerly. It appears to have been the first English district wherein clover was cultivated, which had been introduced by Sir Richard Weston, from Flanders, in 1645: more physical plants are grown in it than in any other county, and the abundance of its timber has given rise to remarkable government enactments relative to the forest and "bailiwick" of Surrey (temp. Hen. II.). Irrigation was practised here before the middle of the seventeenth century, and the convenience of its streams tended to the frequent establishment of mills. Iron-ore also being discovered, several foundries existed here, as well as in the adjoining county, but have fallen into neglect; fuller's-earth is in great quantities, and the stone from Godstone, Merstham, Reigate, and Bletchingley, possesses invaluable qualities for the manufacture of glass. Aubrey gives a curious account of the discovery of coal, and in Camden's time, pits of jet were discovered; the sand near Tandridge and Reigate is unrivalled for purity and colour. In former times the springs at Epsom, Streatham, Kingston, Dorking, and other places in the county, obtained great note, but have fallen into disuse and out of fashion, from that cause which invariably ruins all medicinal repute, namely, facility of access.