t J» 3 



to thirty inches in the yard ; in some the plane is annihilated, and 

 they descend in a perpendicular direction. There are in number 

 twenty-five ; in thickness from six inches to seven feet ; seldom 

 worked under eighteen inches ; in depth from thirty to sixty fa- 

 thom at the present working. By the steam engine which is now 

 erecting in this district, a much greater depth will be attained. 

 Profits in the aggregate of working very trifling, if any, owing to 

 the consumption of timber, and the expence of drawing water. 

 The coal of various quality ; some nearly equal to that of the 

 northern district ; but the greatest part less firm, of shorter grain, 

 and less calculated for distant carriage ; but free to burn, wholly 

 divested of sulphureous stench, and durable. The small coal excel- 

 lent for the forge, and when reduced to a cinder, called coke, by a 

 process of very ancient usage, it furnishes a fuel for drying malt, 

 which from its purity and total exemption from smoke cannot be 

 excelled, if equalled. The south western parts of Wiltshire, the 

 northern of Dorset, and the east and southern parts of Somerset, 

 are the markets for consumption. The quantity now raised is from 

 eight hundred to a thousand ton weekly, which, in the course of a 

 few years, might be extended to two thousand ton, if sale could 

 be found. Boys and men employed at present amount from five to 

 six hundred. An improved method of working has been lately 

 adopted in some parts of this district, by which the springs are 

 prevented from inundating the deep working; whereby its extent 

 and duration will be considerably promoted. 



A canal to the works in this district, which might be cut at an 

 easy expence, has been for some time in contemplation ; and which 

 not only would benefit the proprietors of the works, by extending 

 the consumption ; but also reduce the price to the more distant 

 consumers more than half. 



The average price of coal in this district is 3fd. per bushel. 



Should the works in the northern district be stopped, the proba- 

 ble increase of the poor rates would be 2000I. per annum. 



In the southern (much more burthened with poor) to seven or 

 eight shillings in the pound. 



It may be said that this district cannot boast of any practices in 

 agriculture which are peculiar to itself; the cultivation of teazles 

 and woad excepted. 



Its 



