12 



tne waters of which are forced back by the mill-clams thrown across 

 it. near its mouth, which must be regarded as irreclaimable while 

 those obstructions remain. 



The climate of Essex County is affected by its maritime situation. 

 The proportion of snow which falls in the course of the year is con- 

 siderably less than falls in the interior and western parts of the state ; 

 the proportion of moisture in the form of vapor, snow, and rain, is 

 greater. The degree of cold is sometimes as intense, but not as 

 long continued. The spring is in advance of the interior of the state 

 generally, from a week to a fortnight ; and the frosts, excepting in 

 some particular localities, are not so early, nor severe. For healthi- 

 ness, as far as this may be determined by the tables of longevity, this 

 county may be safely compared with any part of the known world. 



The whole number of acres in Essex County according to the 

 Reports of the valuation committee in 1S31, is as follows : 



Tillage, ..... Acres 



English and Upland Mowing, . " 



Fresh Meadow, ... . " 



Salt Marsh, ... . " 



Pasturage, . . . . " 



Wood, 



Unimj)roved, .... " 



Unimprovable, .... " 

 Owned by the Towns or other Proprietaries, " 



In roads, .... . " 



Total, 



14,113 



31,947 



15,471 



14,139 



100,309 



22,058 



34,281 



10,417 



3,G04 



6,606 



17,176 



270,121 



The soil of Essex County is of primitive formation ; and of va- 

 rious character. There is a locality of limestone mentioned by the 

 geological surveyor in Newbury and Bradford ; but it is believed of 

 small extent. There is little purely sandy land excepting on the 

 sea-shore. There are extensive tracts of peat bog. The soil on 

 the sea-shore among the projecting cliffs and ledges, on the peninsu- 

 las and islands on the coast, with the exception of Plum Island which 

 is almost unmixed sand, is a deep rich loam, highly productive in 



