51G Farming of the Nortlt Ridinf/ of Yorhshirc. 
presence of sprinp:s of water brealsing- out of fissures of the rock ; 
these decompose the limestone, and favour aquatic grasses and 
mosses until a peaty superstratum is formed. These drained, 
uith the stones which are everywhere abundant, and having 
some four to six tons of lime applied, a degree of alteration is 
made in the productions of the land which almost surpasses 
credibility. I made a valuation of the same land under exactly 
similar circumstances ; but one part in its natural wet undrained 
state, another portion drained only, and the remaining part limed. 
It lay at the highest point of the valley, and we valued the land, in 
a state of nature, at '2s. 6c?. per acre; the drained only at 5s., 
and the drained and limed land at 20s. per acre. 
From the nearness of the limestone to the surface, the shaken 
and horizontal character of the strata, and the presence of coals 
sufficient to burn it on the spot, it can be manufactured into 
li.Tie for a price which, considering some beds contain as much as 
98 and even 99 per cent, of carbonate of lime, is almost incre- 
dible ; but there is no doubt whatever of its being obtainable on 
the spot at a cost of 3s. 6rf. per ton. This is, however, under cir- 
cumstances peculiarly favourable, and possibly 4s. might be a safer 
sum, but it has been burnt at a cost so little as 2s. 6c?. per ton. 
We consider Wensleydale the most fertile valley in the Riding ; 
but as no corn is grown the whole is brought from a distance, and 
hence Leyburn is one of the dearest markets in the Riding, and 
Mai ton the cheapest. 
We give the analyses of the seven strata of limestone exposed 
in the valley : — 
Carbonate 
Carbonate 
Alumina, 
Silica. 
of Lime. 
of Magnesia. 
&c. 
!)4-30 
0-18 
3-22 
2-30 
0-25 
0-80 
0-25 
96 
0-18 
2-32 
1-50 
96-30 
0-1-5 
] -35 
2-20 
99-10 
0-20 
0-50 
0-20 
99 -'10 
0-1.5 
0-3O 
0-15 
Sixth stratum , 
• 
98-35 
0-15 
1-.30 
0-20 
99-40 
0-25 
0-25 
0-10 
Compared with some other limestone of the county used in 
agriculture, it is much superior, viz. : — 
Knottingley lime 
Itipun . 
Kcjjwick . 
Carlior.ate 
Carbonate 
Alumina, 
of Limt'. 
of Magnesia. 
&c. 
fcS'50 
9-40 
0-95 
54-fiO 
43-95 
0-85 
hG-00 
6-20 
0-03 
Silica. 
1-15 
0-60 
7-77 
