82] A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



seasons, when people of all ranks have come forward in proportion 

 to their means and ability. 



The population of the country, by the returns in 1811, was 

 295,153 persons, it may now be taken in round numbers at 300,000; 

 and reckoning every acre of wheat grown to supply four persons, 

 the growth at present will supply 240,000, or four-fifths of the 

 whole, leaving the remaining one-fifth to be supplied from else- 

 where, which is the case at present, chiefly from Shropshire and 

 Worcestershire, both of which counties grow more than their own 

 consumption. 



If the tillage were improved so as to add one-fourth to the pro- 

 duce, the county would supply itself. This would easily be done 

 by a cleaner culture, rooting-out grass and weeds, and putting 

 wheat-plants in their places. The present net produce seems very 

 low at 21 2-3ds Winchester bushels per acre. If it were raised to 

 27, the county would grow its own wheat, and further improvements, 

 with the gradual cultivation of unimproved lands, might make it 

 the case for many years to come. 



Barley. The consumption of malt, at four bushels per head, 

 upon 300,000 persons, is 1,200,000 bushels, which is considerably 

 more than the growth of the county in malting barley : the defi- 

 ciency is principally made up from the Rylands of Shropshire. 

 This, and any future increased demand, might easily be supplied 

 by the raising of orchards, and cultivation of fruit-trees for cyder 

 and perry. 



Oats, Beans i and Pease. The county, it is conjectured, sup- 

 plies itself with horse-keep and hog-food, a good deal of the land 

 being inclined to cold and moist, adapted to the growth of oats : 

 a good porportion is suited to beans. It, however, does not 

 breed and feed hogs enough for its own consumption, having a con- 

 siderable supply of fat pigs, as well as bacon, from other counties, 

 and some from Ireland. Oat-meal is much used as human food (from 

 oats grown in the county), in oat-cake, and thickening soups, &c. 



Turnips and Grass Land. The county more than supplies itself 

 with fresh butter, but receives salt butter from North Wales and 

 Ireland. In cheese it has a considerable surplus, which is sent 

 down the Trent, for the navy, the London, and other markets. It 

 breeds cattle enough for its own consumption, but does not feed its 

 own supply, numbers being sold when lean, or in part fattened, and 

 many bought-in fat from Leicestershire. It is much the same with 

 respect to sheep, supplying itself with lamb, but not wholly with 



