NATURAL HISTORY. 
13 
summit. The vallies of the Severn, the Avon, and 
the Teme, are all nearly on a level, being, on an 
average, about 80 feet above the level of the sea ; 
and they have, at this low elevation, a warmth and 
softness, which ripens the grain, and brings to per- 
fection the other produce of the earth, from a 
fortnight to a month earlier than most other districts, 
even where the soil and surface are similar. The 
general distribution of soil through the county, has 
been estimated by Mr. Pitt,^ as follows : — 
ACRES. 
Light sand, sand loam, gravelly loam, &c. 120,000 
Friable Loam, adapted for turnips, hops and fruit, 120,000 
Strong clay loam, for wheat and beans, 120,000 
Natural meadows on the banks of rivers, 50,000 
Grass land, including parks, plantations, &c 50,000 
Woodlands, roads, towns, rivers, gardens, &c 20,000 
Wastes and commons, 20,000 » 
There has, no doubt, since the above survey was 
taken, been much alteration in the distribution of 
land, especially in the quantity of land that was then 
waste, extensive enclosures having of late years taken 
place. Bromsgrove Lickey, for instance, from a wild 
^ Pitf s " View of the Agriculture of the County of Worcester," 
* The number of statute acres as stated by Mr. J. Marshall, in 1829, amounts to 
466,560, viz.— 
Tillage. Pasture. Wood, Unproductive, &c. 
200,000. 150,000. 116,560. 
The details of parishes make the total amount 459,710 acres. 
Dr. Nash states the county to contain 936 square miles, or 599,040 acres ; but 
by an account published by the House of Lords in 1805, this county is said to con- 
tain only 674 square miles, or 431,360 acres. Mr. Pitt, varying from both, 
estimates the contents of the county at 750 square miles, or 480,000 acres, and 
adding 20,000 acres for detached parts, 500,000 acres. 
