Climate, Soil, and Produce.—The general surface being high and open, the climate is generally dry and free from fogs. It is decidedly salubrious, notwithstanding the exhalations from extensive tracts of bog. The soil is generally fertile. There aro some large tracts of bog, resting on clay or gravel, which are capable of being converted into fine productive land. On the east aide of the Slieva Bloom Mountains, a yellow clay tying on gritty gravel, and on the west side a strong red clay good for oats and potatoes, are very much interspersed with wet spongy ground, and broken by protruding rocks. There is good limestone for manure in every part of the county. Dairies are numerous. There is a small manufacture of woollen fabrics, and some families are employed in the weaving of linen and cotton. A factory for extracting sugar from beetroot has been formed at Mount mellick. In 1853 the number of acres under crop was 151,656, of which 18,574 acres grew wheat, 35,397 acres oats, 11,222 acres barley, here, rye, peas, and beans; 19,619 acres potatoes, 14,606 acres turnips, 2259 acres mangel-wurzel, carrots, parsnips, 'retched, and other green crops ; 14 acres flax, 49,665 acres meadow and clover. In 1841, Including an equivalent of 2331 acres for detached trees, there were 13,961 acres growing oak, ash, elm, beech, fir, mixed timber, and fruit. In 1852 on 11,294 holdings, there were 11,923 horses, 5347 mules and asses, 56,624 cattle, 75,745 sheep, 28,292 pigs, 5794 goats, and 191,643 head of poultry. The value of the live stock here enumerated was estimated at 598,8451.
Dirisions aisd Towns.—Queen's County lies chiefly in the diocese of Leighlin and Ossory, with small portions in the dioceses of Kildare, Killaloe, and Dublin. It contains 53 parishes, and is divided into 11 baronies—Ballyadamx Clandonsgb, Clarmallagh, Cullenagh, Mary borough East and West, Portnahincb, Slievemarigne, Stradbally, Tinnehinch, and Upperwoods. The principal towns are Jlanveoaoticir, Mocantewcir, and part of PowriauNnvox, which, with AsaztruIIs, are noticed under their respective titles. The following towns and villages we notice here, with the population of each in 1851 :— Balliaakill, population 1109, a market and post-town, 13 mllea S.S.E. from 3Iaryborough, contains a handsome pariah church, with a tower and spire ; a large Roman Catholio chapel; two National schools ; a market-house, and a district dispensary. Fairs are held every mouth, and on the Thnraday after Whit-Sunday. Tuesday is the market-day. The castle is now in ruins. Ballinakill was incorporated by James I., and returned two members to the lriah Parliament.
population 804, a market- and post-town, situated near the right bank of the river Nore, 16 miles S.S.W. from Mary borough, consists of a single street, and contains a. neat courthouse, which is used as a chapel of ease; a Roman Catholic chapel: a National school ; a bridewell ; and a dispensary. Quarter and petty sessions are held in the place. Fairs are held seven times a year. Borris was anciently defended by a castle, which is now in ruins.
Darrow, population 1085, a small marketstown, 16 miles S. from 31aryborough, se watered by the Erkin, a feeder of the .Nore, and is
agreeably environed by the demesne of Castle-Darrow, a scat of Lord Aahbrooka. It consists of a few regular streets, opening into a. square; the houses are generally well built, and roofed with elate. It contains a church, a Roman Catholio chapel, a dispensary, and an Infantry barrack. Petty sessions are held monthly. and fairs nine times a year.
Oro ire, population 1527, a suburb of the town of CARLOW, with which t is connected by a fine bridge of five arches over the Barrow. It consists principally of one street, extending nearly half a mile along the right bank of the river, and contains a pariah church, a Roman Catholic chapel, a public school, built by voluntary contribu tions ; a National school, two tan-yards, and a flourmill. Fairs are held four times a year.
Moentrath, population 2101,a market- and post-town, 8 miles W.S.W. from Bfaryborough, contains a neat pariah church, a Roman Catholio chapel, a Methodist and a Quakers meeting-house, a monastery of the order of St. Patrick, with a classical school attached; a nunnery, dedicated to. St. Bridget, with schools attached; and two National schools. There are also a new court-house, a neat market-house, a dispensary, and fever hospital. Cotton and woollen fabrics are mann factored. Monntrath possesses an oil-mill, malt-house, and a brewery. There is a large weekly market. Fairs are held seven times a year.' Petty sessions are held weekly.
Ral4downey, population 1192, is situated on a feeder of the Nore, 19 miles S.W. from Maryborougb. The town contains the pariah cbnreh, a Roman Catholic chapel, a Methodist meeting-house, two National schools, a constabulary barrack, and a dispensary. Petty sessions are held monthly. Fairs are held seven times a year, Stradbally, population 1326, a town 7 miles E. from klaryborough, pleasantly situated on the Straid, a feeder of the Barrow. The prin cipal street is spacious, and contains some well-built houses, a hand some parish church, a large Roman Catholic chapel, a National school, a neat court-house with a small bridewell attached, a dispensary, and a savings bank. Quarter and petty aessiona are held, and fairs six times a year. Saturday is the market-day.
The following are the chief villages :—Ballyroan, population 430, a post-village, 7 miles S. from Maryborough, contains a neat parish church, a spacious Roman Catholic chapel, a National school, and a classical and English school. Castletown, population 339, a village on the river Nore, 9 miles S.S.W. from Maryborough by the Great Southern and Western railway. It is well built and has a clean and neat appearance. It contains a Roman Catholic chapel. On the pre cipitous bank of the river are the ruins of the castle from which the village derives its name. Clonaalee, population 428, is situated on the Clodsgh Rivulet, which is here crossed by a good bridge, 16 miles N.W. from Maryborough. It contains a district church, a Romau Catholic chapel, two National schools, a school on Erasmus Smith's foundation, and a dispensary. Near the village are the ruins of Castle Clare.