SHROPSHIRE. The coal-field of Coal brook-Dale is the most extensive and most productive part of the carboniferous system of this county. It extends from near Wen. lock, on the right bank of the Severn, across that river to Wellington on the N.W., and is prolougated in a N.E. direction to Lilleshall. The most productive portion of this field includes Broseley on the south, and stretches north of the Severn in a largo triangular shaped mass, having Lilleshall for its apex. In several places the seams of coal are nume rous and of considerable thickness. At Hadley the number of seams i* 10, and the total thickness of coal 15 yards ; at Madeley, the seams are 24, and the thickness of coal 41 yards. The ironstone of this field is both concretionary and flat-bedded, and the various courses of it are known under various local names. The ores of iron are peroxides in sandstone, argillaceous carbonates in shale, and sulphurets in the coal. The sulphuret of iron is the most abundant mineral, and next to it is the sulphuret of zinc, or Mende. Petroleum occurs in great abundance in both the upper and lower measures, and some of the beds of shale of the latter afford excellent fire-clay, which is used in the manufacture of pipes and pottery. The Shrewsbury coal-field extends from the Severn at the Breidden Hills on the west, to Shrewsbury on the east- The strata of this coal-field belong to the upper or youngest series of coal-measures. It varies in thickness from three to eight feet. The coal-field of Oswestry is situated on the western verge of the county, and is quite distinct. It contains only two seams of coal worthy of extraction, the upper being four feet thick ; the lower, which is six feet thick, is a very inferior coal. The other coal-fields
of Shropshire are situated on the south side of the county.
The farms in Shropshire are for the most part arable, 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. The meadows adjoining the Severn, and other rivers and streams, are rich, and are often overflowed, and the water lies on them, especially near the Severn, for a consi derable time. The rich coal-formations of this county and the iron-stone associated with them give employment to several thousand persons. The greater portion of these are engaged in raising coal, ironstone, and lime, and in the manufacture of iron, and a few in the lead mines on the western side of the county. Near Coalport china of every descrip tion and of exquisite workmanship is made ; and at Caughley, in the neighbourhood of Broseloy, there is another china manufactory, which is chiefly confined to the blue and white, and blue, white, and gold sorts. At Coalport there is a manufactory of earthenware, similar to the Etrurian or Wedgwood ware. There are flannel manufactories at Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Church Stream, and Worthen. Carpets are made at Bridgnorth. Gloves are made at Ludlow, but not in such quantities as formerly. There are mills for dyeing woollen cloth at Le Botwood, &c., and there are paper mills at Ludlow, Midguorth, mer, Drayton, &c.