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14 Physical Features.
till at Vicarage and Christ Church Roads the highest level is
reached, which is almost 64 feet above the tide.
In addition to the fine and permanent stretches of open spaces,
there are several large recreation grounds for polo, golf, football,
cricket, tennis, hockey, etc. There is also a large number of
country houses with extensive grounds attached. Mention should
be made, also, of several market gardens and nurseries.
The soil is gravelly over the London Clay, which latter outcrops
in the vicinity of Palewell Park. Owing to the gentle slope
up from the river to East Sheen, Richmond Park and Roehampton,
surface water gets away very quickly and the ground soon dries.
The district is growing rapidly and many new houses are being
erected, but at the same time the rural charms of the place are
not disappearing and probably never will. It would be difficult
to find any district so near London with more town facilities and
more country advantages.
As a result of building operations some of the old estates are
disappearing, but at the same time good roads are being opened up
and houses are being built on orderly lines, and some of the narrow
streets and lanes are being widened. By this means a fair amount
of old property has been demolished, especially in or about the
High Street, Barnes.
The population has increased from 17,900 in 1901 to 34,745 in
1914, i.e., nearly doubled itself. There are no occupations in the
district which could adversely influence the public health. The
majority of the male inhabitants are business and city men ; a large
brewery employs many men, and several large laundries employ
many young women. A large number of men also are employed by
the London General Omnibus Company and by the London & South
Western Railway, also by contractors and builders. The Hospitals
supplying this district are the West London at Hammersmith, the
Putney and Richmond Hospitals. The Poor Law Hospital is