NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. This county, as noticed in a former article [Coss] contains a portion of one of the midland coal-fields. It contains also a small supply of gypsum,build ing stone, and paving stone ; but the county can hardly be deemed rich in minerals. There are many hop plantations in the county,which in some years give a good profit to the grower. There are excellent market gardens in the neighbourhood of Newark, Nottingham, and other towns, the sandy soil being very favour able to the cultivation of roots and vegetables.
There are alga some ROMA Orchards on the heavier soils.
in respept to manufactures, Nottingham, shire derives importance from being the Centre of the cotton hosiery and hobhinglet trialoa; [IlesE•Tii A14iimg.OTIM4 Toms]. Not only in the town of NottinghaM itself, but ip all the towns and VillagCS In the southern half of the county, these manufac tures are carried on, Nottingham itself is the Opus of these trades, where the wholesale manufacttirers and dealers reside, The bob= binnet is Mostly made in factories; but tire hosiery is Made at the houses of the operatives, with cotton yarn supplied by the mannfaetu, rens ; the workpoaple being paid SO much per dPaen pairs for thOir labour, out of which they for the Moat part have to pay a far the inaohioes.
In )850 the COuntY9f Nottingham eel:Opined 10 cotton factories, 4 silk factories, and steel factory 3 thong PA faetOriel Q111PloYed about 2300 persons.
A Solipol of Design beep established at Nottingham ; and It is stated in the annual report of the Inspector of these schools for 1850, that the effect of the sebool in improving the taste of designers in the loge trade is he coming very evident, It Will he gratifying if the Great Exhibition should verify this provement.