AGRICULTURE 



the same time there has been an increased use of labour-saving implements 

 in which horses take the place of manual labour. The impetus given to the 

 breeding of Shire horses consequent upon the high prices that have been 

 obtained is another element that must not be lost sight of. 



The effect upon the agricultural population of the low prices of the 

 produce of arable land and consequent increase of pasture is shown by the 

 following table based upon the census and on the Agricultural Returns : 



The practice of agriculture in the county of Gloucester is similar to that 

 of other counties in that it is controlled and governed by conditions of soil, 

 climate, and elevation. 



The total area is about 806,000 acres, 2,500 acres being covered with 

 water, 58,400 acres occupied by woods and plantations, and 8,300 acres 

 being mountain and heath-land of nominal value used for sheep runs. 



The number of agricultural holdings is 9, 706 covering about 6 5 7, 500 acres, 

 of which 101,100 acres are occupied by owners of the land they cultivate. 

 There are 2,807 holdings above i and not exceeding 5 acres, 3,834 above 

 5 and not exceeding 50 acres, 2,580 above 50 and not exceeding 300 acres, 

 and 485 above 300 acres in extent. 



For purposes of agricultural distinction the county may conveniently be 

 divided into four portions as follows, although in each division many 

 varieties of soil with consequent variation of agricultural management will 

 be found : 



The Cotswold Hills extending from Chipping Campden to Bath. 

 The portion of the Thames Valley lying to the south-east of the 

 Cotswolds extending from Eastleach to Didmarton through 

 Cirencester and Tetbury. 



3. The part of the Vale of the Severn lying south-east of that river, 



extending from Tewkesbury to Bristol, and including part of the 

 valley of the Warwickshire Avon. 



4. The portion lying on the northern side of the Severn, including 



the Forest of Dean and Ryeland districts, extending from the 

 River Wye on the west to the borders of Worcestershire and 

 Herefordshire in other directions. 



i. The Cotswold Hills cover some 300,000 acres, and are situated 

 geologically upon the Great and Inferior Oolitic Limestone rocks, interspersed 

 with the Fuller's Earth and Stonesfield Slate. The soil on the Oolite is 

 thin, being only from 3 to 6 inches deep, of a light description locally 

 called Stonebrash. Although containing many stones, there is little or no 

 sand, and it is of a hollow nature, requiring skill in giving it the necessary 



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2. 



