In October 1801 William Smith, the engineer and geologist who is best known for his development of the science of stratigraphy (which is the study of rock successions and relation to the historical time scale), was employed by the Duke of Bedford. Farey had already become interested in soils and rocks through carrying out his duties as land steward and he now took the opportunity to learn all that he could from Smith about stratification.
Noong Oktubre 1801 William Smith, ang mga inhinyero at heologo na ang pinakamahusay na kilala para sa kanyang pag-unlad ng agham ng stratigraphy (na kung saan ay ang pag-aaral ng rock successions at nauukol sa kasaysayan ng oras kaliskisan), ay trabaho ng Duke ng Bedford. Farey nagkaroon na maging interesado sa soils at rocks sa pamamagitan ng pagdala ang kanyang tungkulin bilang tagapangasiwa ng lupa at siya ngayon kinuha ang pagkakataon na malaman ng lahat na siya ay mula sa Smith tungkol sa sapin.