MEATH: This *nutty hat very few mountain wastes, and the proportion of the bog, is small. The land is flat rich pasture land. The soil is for the most part a loarn of the richest character, and in many places of such depth that the turtling up of a fresh portion of the soil by ploughing deeper tliftti usual is considered as an efficient 'substitute for =Inuring. The farina are ou the average larger than in most other parts of Ireland; the grazing farms average about 150 acres; and tillage farms 20 to 50. The Mode of farming, though very slovenly and defoetiv'e; bears some reiemblance to that of England. The whole quantity of land devoted to green crops is stoat]; in edinsequeince of the Ohmil: mice of the natural pastures, which are lir unequalled richness, and have led the farmers to give their chief attention to grazing. The quantity of cattle fattened in the pastures of the county is considerable, and the breeds fattened are numerous. The grazing is carried on on a large scale. Many persons fatten from 300 to 500 cows in a season, besides bullocks and sheep. Oxen are frequently em ployed in the plough. There are large flocks of sheep kept by the more extensive farmers.
The only home manufactures are a little coarse linen, sometimes, though rarely, a little coarse frieze coating, and the knitting of coarse worsted stockings, which last branch of industry is pretty commonly done by girls, widows, and old women. Spinning and wea ving, from the cheapness of manufactured goods, have almost entirely ceased.
There is another Meath, called West Meath, or Westmeath, the soil of which comprises heavy loam, light loam, hilly sheepwalks, and a great deal of bog. The chief crops raised by the farmer are oats and potatoes ; a very little wheat, some barley, flax, rape, and clover are grown. Dairy farming is practised to some extent in this county. The manu factures of the county are not important; they consist chiefly of the most necessary articles, such as coarse linens, woollens, and cottons.
The Shannon is navigable for steam-boats convoying goods and passengers. The Royal Canal crosses this county from east to north. west, The principal roads are good. The Midland Great Western Raihv ay passes through the county.