] We know that Hops were a big thing in Farnham during JA's lifetime...it's mentioned in contemporary accounts right through the eighteenth century. This quote is from my 1820's Atlas notes on Hampshire.

] ".......a great proportion of the parishes eastwards of Alton, and bordering on Surrey, is appropriated to the growth of hops, the plantations of which have greatly increased of late years, thought the reputation of the Farnham hops."

I've just found a reference on the Farnham website that says that the hopping was nearing an end by the mid 19th century, so probably JA's lifetime saw its heyday. She certainly would have been familiar with hops and oasts.

] Hampshire was famous, according to my Atlas, for sheep breeding and pig farming. I do find it interesting that JA mentions oak trees more often than any other tree, that she has such a strong connection to woods in all her novels, and that of all the agricultural products she mentions the one that seems to be used the most is -Pork!

Yes, the oakleaf is the county crest of Surrey because it grows in proliferation here (though why they didn't use the pine tree is beyond me). Not so many piggies here now, but my friend in Alresford (only about 10 miles from Chawton) is a member of a 'secret' (but actually very open) charitable and social organisation called the Alresford Pigs - because of the piggy history. JA would have been very familiar with pigs too. The smell Louisa!

Thanks Caroline, you saved me a trawl round the history books.