18 



Farming of Derhyshire. 



tending (according to Farcy's Report) over an area of 130,000 

 acres, the greater part of which abounds in iron.* 



The accompanying map of the county, with its geology, will 

 sufficiently show its boundaries without attempting further to 

 describe them ; nor will it be necessary in an Agricultural Re- 

 port to notice its hundreds or parishes. The population of the 

 county in 1841 was 272,217 persons, and in 1851, 296,084. In 

 the county-town there were 32,741 inhabitants in 1841, and in 

 1851, 40,609, showing a progressive increase. 



Before describing the farming of Derbyshire, it may be well 

 to glance at the geological aspects and arrangements of the dif- 

 ferent strata, as on these mainly depend the nature of the soils 

 and subsoils, upon which, in the first instance, successful farming 

 must depend ; and no county in England presents a greater 

 variety of geological character. To commence the tour of the 

 county, and starting from its southern edge, near to Weston, or 

 Cavendish-bridge, the beautiful valley of the Trent spreads 

 itself on the east and west, as far as the eye can reach. I'ravel- 

 ling northwardly from this rich and fertile plain to Derby and 

 the Derwent, and about two miles beyond, the highest basset or 

 outcrop of the new red sandstone shows itself, overlooking 

 another valley no less beautiful, if less extensive than the Trent. 

 The millstone grit makes its first appearance in this locality, 

 and in the distance may be seen the first glimpse of the car- 

 boniferous limestone in that wonderful outburst of Crich Cliff, 

 towering 1000 feet above the sea, and starting up from the 

 midst of the millstone grit. Continuing onwards, up the Der- 

 went valley, through the rocky pass of Millford, then to Belper, 

 Ambergate, and Cromford, and Matlock Bath, a different series 

 of rocks occur. And here commences the first of those rocky 

 ^ales in the mountain limestone that characterise the Peak of 

 Derbyshire, and have rendered it an object of such attraction 

 and interest for its romantic beauties. Passing on by Darley 

 Dale, Rowsley, Fladdon, Bakewell, and Ashford, the traveller to 

 Buxton gets glimpses on every side of numerous dells and dales, 

 and meets with extensive views from the top of Taddington 

 Hill, from which he descends by the Wye to Buxton. In doing 



* Farey's Report gives the area of the county as 622,080 acres, and divides it 

 into the different strata as follows : — • 



Clays and marls of South Derbyshire 

 Yellow lime (magnesian) 

 Millstone-grit shales (with the lower coal) 

 Mountain limestone with toad-stone 

 Coal measures ..... 



Total acres in Derbyshire . 

 Later-published estimates make the county C 63, 180 acres. 



Acres. 

 158,000 



21,580 

 220,500 



92,000 

 130,000 



622,080 



