OF THE MENAI BASIN. 
243 
ous and argillaceous matter, produce a soil well fitted for the 
growth of grass and grain crops ; and from time immemo- 
rial the island of Anglesea has been considered the granary 
of North Wales. 
In the south J west, and east ends of the island, the land 
being of a stronger loamy composition, heavy crops of wheat 
are raised. But that grain is cultivated in other parts too 
extensively, and often on soils too light, to bring it to per- 
fection. 
The soil of the island may be considered generally better 
adapted for the turnip course of husbandry, alternating 
with crops of oats and barley. Though the soil, however, 
be well calculated for the production of the turnip, little is 
raised. And the manure of the farm, for the most part, is 
given to the potato, which is here cultivated extensively. 
More attention is paid, in Anglesea, to upland meadow- 
land, than in the Carnarvon side of the Menai basin. The 
island abounding in calcareous matters, as shell-sand, marl, 
or limestone, one or other of these is used for top-dressing ; 
and the beneficial effects of such management is seen in the 
thriving stock of all kinds. 
The same facilities for meadow-irrigation do not exist on 
this, as on the Carnarvon side. The streams, in Anglesea, 
descending in their course from lands little elevated, the 
supply of water for the flooding of grass-lands is very li- 
mited ; still, however, the employment of water, where it 
can be readily obtained, ought not to be overlooked in this 
island, in augmenting the supplies of food for the cattle and 
sheep, by means of irrigation. 
Mot as on the Carnarvon side, where the sheep and cattle 
are diminutive and ill fed, we find in Anglesea these ani- 
mals attaining to great size and weight. 
Great numbers of cattle are bred for and exported to the 
English markets. It is said that the number of 8000 head 
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