There are very few mineral substances found in this county. On the southern shores, iron-stone was formerly gathered in some quantity, which seems to have been roll ed up by the surf. Between Milton and Christchurch a hard reddish stone is found, apparently calcareous, tinged with the oxide of iron. Several ancient structures in the county are built with it. Chalk of various qualities and colours is worked in different parts. Potter's clay is met with in great abundance in Poolheath, At various depths, front 10 to 20 feet. From the circumstance of this heath bearing all the external marks by which the heath of Pur beck is distinguished, and their being divided only by Pool Water, it is not improbable that the Hampshire clay will be found equally valuable and useful as the Purbeck.
Hampshire is distinguished as an agricultural county for its fine corn, especially wheat; its hops, cattle, sheep, wool, bacon, honey, timber, and the extent and excellent management of its water meadows. The largest estates and farms are in the chalky parts of the county. The lar gest estate, however, does not exceed 80001. per annum. Tenures are various. Those estates, which formerly com posed the demesne lands of the see of Winchester, are granted by the bishop as freeholds for three lives, and ge nerally renewed to the families, who hold them for many generations. These estates consist chiefly of ancient ma nors and houses, to which certain feudal rights still apper tain. Copyhold tenures are granted from manors vested in the church, or by the lay proprietors. There are also lands held on lives by lease, or indenture. Other leases are for 21 and 14 years; but here, as in other parts of Eng land, the practice is extending of letting lands only at will. The average size of farms in the county is small, probably not exceeding 200 act es ; and certainly, if the chalk dis tricts are excluded, not reaching that extent. The ploughs are various ; hut principally with one or two wheels, and by no means constructed on good mechanical priciples. There are a few thrashing machines in the county. The chief part of Hampshire is inclosed, though large tracts of open heath and uncultivated land remain in the vicinity of Clinstchnrch, and on the borders of Dorsetbhire. The aggregate extei. the waste lands, exclusive of the fo rests, is supposed to am,„„ to nearly 100,000 acres.
In Hampshire a of land is annually sown with wheat, u hien is cultivated %%LIi skill its quality is excellent. Barley is grown principally on' lighter soils and higher ground. The soil round Andover is very favourable to the growth of this grain. It is ge nerally sown either after turnips, or a winter fallow. In the cultivation of oats, the Hampshire farmers do not dis play much agricultural skill, since, for the most part, they are sown after one or two white crops. B ans are not much cultivated, even upon soils well adapted to them. The white pea is grown to a considerable extent in vari ous parts of the county ; the cultivation is well understood ; and the produce abundant and valuable. Turnips are ex tending ; but their culture is not yet nearly so general as it might, or ought to be ; nor is it well understood. Pota toes are grown in almost every part, on a good plan, and with abundant produce. The utility and value of the cal careous soils in Hampshire are very much increased by the growth of sainfoin on them. This plant seems to have been long known here, and its culture is well understood. The parishes to the east of Alton, on the borders of Surrey, are chiefly appropriated to the growth of hops, the planta tions of which have been greatly increased lately, chiefly in consequence of the high character of the hops grown at Farnham, in the immediate vicinity of Alton ; the Hamp shire hops, in a great degree, partaking of this character. The hop grounds are supposed to occupy 800 acres. The water meadows, as has already been noticed, are numerous, extensive, and extremely well managed. They are made at first at the expence of 51. or 61. per acre ; and the ex pence of continual repairs is very considerable. But they pay the farmer well. They are usually shut up in Novem ber, or the beginning of December ; and are watered every alternate week, till the beginning of March, when they are pastured for about five or six weeks with ewes and lambs. An acre is considered equal to the feeding of 400 couples for one day. They are shut up about the beginning of May, and produce at the regular season an abundant crop of hay. Perhaps the largest and finest tract of water meadows in the county lies on the banks of the Itchin, extending from the north side of Winchester, through Twyford and Otter burnc, towards Bishops Stoke.