( 47 ) . 



DISTRICT THE FOURTH. 



MERSEA ISLAND-^rempcrate mixed foil 



X H E Ifland on the fouth, on the eafl, and to the vvcftward, 

 exhibits a ftrong bold fhore; northerly the Ihore becomes 

 flat and fhelving, and is fkirted by a large extent of fait 

 marfh, about looo acres of which, would pay extremely 

 well for embanking from the fea. The Ifland is divided 

 into the two parifhes of Eafl and Weft Merfea, the higher 

 parts of which, confift of a dark coloured friable mould, 

 upon a fandy and a gravelly loam ; and a deep hazel coloured 

 ftrong earth, upon a brown tender clay or brick earth. The 

 firft of thefe foils is advantageoufly employed in the culture 

 of turnips, barley, and clover, the laft in that of beans and 

 wheat. This highly favoured fpot is well fupplied with 

 excellent fprings; and it might be rendered far more pro- 

 dudlive than it is at prefent, were the inclofures enlarged, 

 and many of thofe thick and ufelefs hedge-rows deftroyed, 

 which at prefent encumber the middle of the Ifland, and 

 render its air and climate lefs falubrious and wholefome 

 than it otherwife would be. The ftrong heavy highland, 

 and the old embanked marfhes, have been greatly benefited 

 by the application of chalk, in the proportion of about 

 eight waggon loads to the acre, firft coft of which los. 6d. 

 per load, befides carriage. The highland grafs and arable 

 is rented on an average, at 17s. per acre; the marfhes at 

 I OS. 6d. running the whole together, and taking the produce 



through 



