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Hampshire 

"The surface of Hampshire is beautifully varied," writes Pigot in his Directory of 1844, "with gently rising hills and fruitful valleys; adorned with numerous seats and villages, and interspersed with extensive woodlands...  The soils are extremely various, but the far greater proportion has a tendency to chalk: in most parts the soil is deep and rich, producing heavy crops of wheat and barley, as well as other grain; and great quantities of malt are made throughout the county...

The climate of the county, in most parts of it, especially upon the downs that cross it from east to west, is of the most salubrious and invigorating nature; nor are the exhalations from the low grounds near the sea so pernicious as in other counties, and the seasons are mild and genial.  Hampshire produces more wood than any other county in England, particularly oak; and a great part of the British Navy has been built and repaired with its timber...

In manufactures and minerals Hampshire has less claims to notice, perhaps, than any other English county. The former comprise a few stuff goods, as shalloons and denims; and some serges and other coarse woollens. The mineral productions are mostly confined to the cliffs on the sea coast... Hampshire is adorned by several exceedingly handsome towns, and is distinguished as possessing within it boundaries the most strongly fortified port (Portsmouth) in Great Britain, where the largest ships are built, and where are docks, arsenals and storehouses of unrivalled magnitude..."

Family History, Genealogy and Local History Research Information for Hampshire