Farming of Derhysliire. 



39 



20 yards apart. It teas a failure ; and I have since put in two 

 33-inch chains between, ivhich has completed the loorh. I now 

 always drain 33 inches deep, because the men can do it at three 

 draws." Mr. Lister, of Greenhill Hall, is of the same opinion 

 as to depth and width, but continues the use of gravel over the 

 tiles. Further on, and towards the extreme north-west of the 

 coal-series, there are abundant evidences of mismanagement and 

 neglect. It is true the land is poor and cold, but it has been 

 subject to a system of exhaustion for many years. Nature in- 

 tended it for pasture, but the design is changed and perverted. 



Before quitting this interesting part of the^coal-series, I cannot 

 avoid making a few observations upon the continually-improved 

 condition of the roads, and a new way of repairing them. The 

 plan is practised on the Sutton roads, and is gradually extending. 

 Perhaps the plan alluded to would be better understood by 

 giving an etching of the way in which the roads are repaired. 



The dotted parts represent the stone or iron cinder laid on the 

 road : these layers are from 20 to 30 yards in length. The object 

 attained is, that the heavy-laden machine going up hill has a clear, 

 open, and smooth road ; that it gets up the hill easier by taking 

 a serpentine course, and throws for a while the wear on the 

 roads from the centre to the sides ; that the machine going 

 down the hill is checked in its progress by rolling doTVTi the 

 newly-repaired part ; that the roads are better and wear level 

 by this process, and the cost of repairs is considerably reduced. 



3. The Millstone Grit and Shales. — This group of mountains 

 is peculiar to Derbyshire and the west of Yorkshire. A century 

 ago the entire ridge was an uncultivated waste, covered with 

 heath and peat-bogs. It commences with the coal series a few 

 miles north of Derby, near Duffield, and occupies a breadth of 

 many miles, going north till it reaches the highest point in the 

 county. Kinderscout is 1961 feet above the sea, and is sur- 

 rounded by the kindred summits _ of Axedge, ]\Iad-woman, and 

 other elevated regions. The map annexed will correctly show 

 the boundary and course of this formation. Millstones are sup- 

 plied from its rocks ; and it furnishes building-stones of the 

 finest quality. The upper measures are composed of a series of 

 grits and shales, which becoming exposed, the shales perish, and 

 are destroyed like the face of Mam Tor (shivering mountain), 

 and other places. The lower beds are close, and scarcely dis- 



