458 
Farming of Devonshire. 
of climate are referable to the situation of the county, which being 
bounded to a large extent by the sea is influenced by the same 
agency which modifies the climate of small islands. In the north 
of Devon the climate is colder than in the southern and less 
elevated districts : still it partakes of many of the modifications 
observed in south Devon. Local circumstances render the cli- 
mate of some parts very peculiar : an instance of this kind is 
observed in the neighbourhood of Dartmoor, the temperature 
being much lower than on land of the same latitude and altitude. 
This extensive tract of land is situated on a mass of granite, 
which being impervious to water compels all that falls on it to 
pass away on its surface. In many parts it is a perfect swamp, 
and in general the surface is thoroughly saturated with moisture ; 
the evaporation of which occasions the low temperature observed. 
The hilly surface of the county produces great variety of altitude 
and aspect, affecting the local climate and the nutritive value of 
vegetation in a remarkable degree, and the fertility of many 
estates is very much influenced by the circumstance. 
Soils. 
The soils most prevalent in Devonshire appear to have been 
formed in the positions they now occupy, and few alluvial de- 
posits are met with. Hence the varieties of soils are very 
evident, although few in number ; and having been formed prin- 
cipally from the stratum on which they rest, a knowledge of the 
surface geology will convey a pretty correct idea of these varieties 
and their respective areas. It is needless for me here to enter 
into any further remarks on the geology of this county, as it has 
been recently treated of in a number* of this Society's Journal. 
I will therefore proceed to the variations in the nature and 
fertility of the soils which occur in this county. 
Between Exeter and Crediton the soil is a rich sandy loam, 
and an extensive tract of similar character branches off^ in the direc- 
tion of Hatherleigh. Turning from thence eastward, in the parish 
of Sandford, we find land of remarkable fertility, which, like those 
before-mentioned, partakes much of the character of the red 
sandstone rock on which it rests. This is considered to be the 
richest land in Devonshire, and I have no doubt of its really 
meriting the distinction. The district situated on this geological 
formation is the best farmed portion of the county, and the 
management of the land is far superior to the general practice of 
other parts. Nature has done much, but the agriculturist has 
not been idle ; and it is much to be desired that similar intelli- 
gence and skill should be more commonly diff^used throughout 
» Vol. iii., p. 21. 
