The Dublin road to Galway crosses the county between Athlone and BallInsaloe. The road from Dublin to Sligo eends one branch north ward, which plums from Drumsna to Jamestown, and then from CNirriek north-eastward by Boyle; and another the centre of the county by Tarroonbarry to Strokeatown, and thence by Elphin to join the former at Boyle. From Strokestown the Dublin road runs westward through TWA and Frenchpark to Ballina. Roads run from all parts of the county to the various ports on the Shannon. The Shannou navigation extends along the eastern boundary, penetrates to the interior by the Boyle branch to the vicinity of that town, and by a branch to Strokestown, and touches the county at Ballinasloe by a continuation of the Grand Canal, thus connecting it in all directions with the traffio down the river to Limerick, and along the Orand and Royal canals to Dublin. The Midland Great Western railway from Dublin to Galway between Athlone and Ballinasloe.
Geology, Mineralogy tko.—The county in its geological structure forms a continuation Of the central limestone district of Ireland. The upper limestone appears to some extent in beds of a gray colour, abounding with fossils. The argillaceous limestone or ealp occupies • great proportion of the county, and is in many places blended with Lydian atone. The lower beds are generally of the black crystalline limestone. In several districts sandstone protrudes through the lime stone. It is quarried near Frenehpark in thin layers, which are used as • substitute for roofing-elate. West from Castlerea, an area of some miles is occupied by yellow sandstone. Old red-sandstone forms the greater part of the Slieve-Bawn range and of the Curlew Mountains; from the latter it extends across the county in a belt of some breadth along the valley of the Boyle River. The Braulieve and Slieve-Curkagh groups belong to the coal measures, and form part of the great coal district extending over the highlands divided by Lough Allen. These two groups consist of shales and sandstones supported by the lime atone, with three beds of coal resting on beds of millstone grit, from which good ironstone is obtained. The coal answers well for smelting iron, and was used at the Arigna iron-works within the county. Only small quantities of the coal, which is slightly bituminous, are now raised for domestic use. Good bricks are made from the fire-clay of the coal-field. Pipeclay is found in the county, also potters'-clay, from which coarse earthenware is manufactured. Limestone suitable for
building is quarried.
Climate, Soil, and Produce.—The climate is comparatively cold and moist, and the crops are late in coming to maturity. The limestone district., except the intervals of bog and marsh, are covered with fertile soils, which consist in some places of a rich deep loam. The central portions consist chiefly of natural pastures, which are the richest in Connaught, extending, under the name of the Boyle Plains, over the undulating country bounded by Boyle, Castlerea, Roscommon, and Strokestossat The heights between the Suck and the Shannon have a light soil too shallow in many place. for the plough, but clothed with excellent pasture for sheep. Some portions of the red bog along the rivers have been reclaimed; the mountain bogs are wet and spongy, but interspersed with dry heathy moors. The employments of the county are mainly agricultural, and grazing is most generally and successfully attended to. The tillage farms are for the most part small, and the modes of culture defective. The larger farms are more skilfully managed, and better methods are coming into use. The arsziog farms are generally larger, and in • much bettor condition. The sheep are much superior to reared in the neighbouring oountles. The favourite breed is a cross between the Leicester and the old large Connaught breed. The long-horned Leicester is the most common breed of block cattle reared for the market, There are few large dairy-farms, but a considerable quantity of butter is made In all parts of the county.
The linen manufacture, which was carried on to some extent, has declined. Coarse woollen stuffs are made by the wives and daughters of the farmers. There are small manufactures of brick, earthenware and tobacco-pipes.
In 1853 there were 138,565 acres under crop, of which 1338 acres grew wheat ; 61,951 acres, oat.; 780 acres, barley, bere, rye, peas, and beans; 36,124 acres, potatoes ; 4900 acres, turnips; 2638 acres, mangel wurzel, carrots, and other green crops; 535 odes, flax ; 30,299 acres, meadow and clover. In 1841 there were in plantation 8093 acres growing oak, ash, elm, firs, beech, mixed timber, and fruit. In 1852 on 19,610 holdings, there were 8992 horses, 5558 mules and asses, 84,880 head of cattle, 110,117 sheep, 22,388 pigs, 12,291 goats, and 260,767 head of poultry. The total value of the live stock here enumerated was estimated at 794,1671.