The trap-rocks of the Wrekin, &a, as in the other volcanic districts, have disturbed and altered the adjacent strata, and from observing these phenomena and the dislocations of Coalbrookdale and the Clee Hills, "it may," Bays Sir R. I. Murchison, "be affirmed that this dis trict in Shropshire furnishes proofs of the alternate play and repose of volcanic action during very long periods." In tho northern division of Shropshire granitic boulders occur both isolated and in groups : they occur in groups on the northern face of Haughnrond Hill and the north-western slopes of the Wrekin, and isolated in the district lying a few miles south of Shrewsbury. There are numerous saliue springs from the new red-sandstone of North Shropshire. A saline called Saltmoor, occurs also at Ashford, on the banks of the Teme below Ludlow, from which, at the period of the Norman conquest, it appears salt was manufactured. On Prolley Moor, on the western side of the Longmynd, there is a spring containing chloride of lime. Chalybeate springs occur near Sherlot Common, in the neighbourhood of Wenlock, at Moreton Say, and other places.
Soil and A griculture.—Tha soil of the county along the right bank of the Severn is chiefly a red-clay and gravel, derived from and over lying the new red-sandstone formation ; it is favourable for many kiods of agricultural produce. The south-west portion of the county is the least productive. The ground is too steep and elevated, and the soil too light to admit of general cultivation. The valleys consist of loam resting on gravel, and forming good meadow and pasture land. The farms are for the most part amble, but some are for grazing, for hay, for the dairy, and for rearing and feeding. The crops in general cultivation are wheat, barley, oats, peas, vetches, turnips, potatoes, and beans. Some hemp and flax are grown, and some hops on the southern edge of the couuty adjoining Herefordshire. Irriga tion of the grass-land is extensively practised, and with the greatest advantage. The meadows adjoiuing the Severn and other rivers and streams are often overflowed ; and the water lies on them, especially near the Severn, for a considerable time. The fertilising effect of these floods is very great; they generally occur before the grass is in a forward state, or after it has been mown and removed.
Shropshire is not remarkable for its dairy produce. The cattle are reared from the improved breeds of Lancashire, Cheshire, Leicester shire, and Staffordshire. In the neighbourhood of Bishop's Castle there is a good breed of cattle, of a dark-red culour ; in the south the Herefordshire breed ie more common. Most of the farmers rear a few calves every year. There are some hor-es bred in Shropshire,
as well for the road as the plough. The waggon horses are generally of a strong black sort. Breeding mares constitute a portion of almost every team. On Clun Forest and the Longmynd a small hardy race is reared, approaching to the character of the Welsh pony. The old Shropshire sheep arc horned, with black or mottled faces and legs.
Their size is nearly that of the South-Down, but the neck is longer and the carcass not so compact. They abound on the Longmynd. The small Welsh breed of sheep exists here, as well as the largo Leicestershire sheep. Upon the hills towards Wales the sheep are without horns, with white faces and with shorter legs, and heavier but coarser fleeces than the Shropshire sort. The sheep are not gene rally folded. Pigs are fattened to a great extent. Some cider and perry are made In the south of the county. The farms generally vary from 100 to 1000 acres; but on the borders of Wales there are many farms not exceeding 20 acres.
Mining, Industry, and Manufadures.—Tha mineral wealth of Shrop shire has been indicated above. Several thousand persons are engaged in misiug coal, ironstone, and lime, and in the manufacture of iron.
Coal is raised in various parts of the county. In 1740 there were six furnaces in Shropshire, producing 2000 tons of iron annually. The trade was then languishing in consequence of the scarcity of wood charcoal for smelting. But about this period the iron-masters of Coal brookdale adopted Edward Lord Dudley's invention of smelting iron with pit-coal, and with such success as to give a great and decided impulse to the trade, not only in Shropshire, but throughout England. It is in this county and Staffordshire that the manufacture of iron is seen in its greatest perfection. The beauty and finish of their rolling machinery, which is run at an immense speed, enables them to secure almost the whole of the very small and extra sizes of iron, which they throw off at little more cost than the Welsh manufacturers do their common bars. A considerable quantity of lead Is procured from the Snsil-beaoh Hope, and other mines in the district of Shelve and Corndon.
Among the industrial products of the county are—iron-castings for mill-work and steam-machinery, nails, &c.; china, earthenware, tiles, &a, at Coalport, below Iroubridge on the Severn, and in the neigh bourhood of Broseley; glass at Wrackwardiue near Wellington ; flannel at Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Church Stretton, and Worthen ; coarse linens and linen thread ; carpets at Bridgenorth ; gloves at Ludlow, &a. There are alas numerous paper-mills and mills for dyeing woollen-cloth.