Shropshire Routes to Roots

Trade directories: Produce and manufactures of Shropshire (Slaters Directory, 1850)

Soil, Climate, Agricultural, Mineral, Manufactures, 1850 [Shropshire Archive reference: Slater's Directory, 1850]

SOIL, CLIMATE and AGRICULTURAL &c. PRODUCE - Few counties possess a greater variety of SOIL, or are more diversified in appearance: divided into nearly two equal parts by the Severn, its south and west portions assume the mountainous character exhibited by the counties of Montgomery and Denbigh; whilst the northern half approaches the resemblance of a level, agreeably relieved by a few single hills and romantic valleys, finely wooded. The meadows on the side of the Severn are remarkably fertile, being occasionally enriched by the overflowing of that river - which is navigable throughout its whole course. The famed Wrekin mountain, celebrated for the magnificent and extensive prospects which it commands, rears itself singly out of the plain to the height of nearly 1,200 feet above the level of the Severn, near which it rises. To the east of the Wrekin, and on the eastern border of the county, lies the coal district of Coalbrookdale, which extends, from north-east to south-west, about eight miles in length and two in breadth. The CLIMATE is considered highly salubrious; the air is pure, although in many situations sharp and piercing. The PRODUCTIONS of the county are various and valuable: the breed of cows and sheep deserve particular notice - the former yielding abundant quantities of milk, while the sheep, fed upon its hilly tracts, afford some of the finest fleeces obtained in the kingdom. The whole county is in general well cultivated, furnishing liberal supplies of grain; its southern border produces excellent hops, agreeable varied with fine healthy orchards. The crops most common in Shropshire are wheat, barley, oats, peas and turnips. Rye was formerly cultivated extensively, but it has been superseded by wheat. In the eastern part of the county, turnips are almost universally grown, as also on the rocky lands of the western side of it. Potatoes are generally cultivated - hemp and flax rarely, and beans but in inconsiderable quantities. The principal artificial grasses are the broad-leafed clover, Dutch clover, trefoil, and ray-grass. Shropshire is not particularly famous for its dairies: in that part of it lying to the north-east of the Severn they are small and, as much butter is made, the cheese is not of the first quality. On the north-western side of the same district, the dairies are much larger and more cheese is made - some of a very superior quality, rivalling the 'Cheshire'. There are some large rabbit warrens on the Longmynd and Brown-Clee hill. In the neighbourhood of Clun great numbers of turkies are reared, as are geese on the commons. This county has at various times been denuded of its timber, great supplies having been furnished for the purpose of ship-building at Bristol; but there are still numerous fine woods of oak, and extensive coppices of the same kind of timber: much of the latter after eighteen years growth is cut and made into charcoal for the various iron works.

MINERALS and MANUFACTURES - Rich as this county is in the productions of the field, the treasures extracted from its bowels are not of less importance. Lead, iron, limestone, pipe-clay, and coal are found in great abundance; and in the hundred of North Bradford are salt springs; whilst, on the eastern side of the county, are extensive iron works that give employment to hundreds of hands. The chief MANUFACTURES are porcelain and flannel: the former is of great excellence, and in proportionate demand: the latter, though somewhat receded from its heretofore importance, is still of consequence. The principal manufacturing towns are Shrewsbury and Oswestry, for flannels: in the neighbourhood of the former town are large iron foundries, and it was here that the noble Menai Bridge was cast. In the parish of Madeley, also, are iron works of great magnitude; the stupendous iron bridge that bestrides the Severn at this place was constructed at the furnaces here. At Coalport are china manufactories of great celebrity; at Bridgnorth carpets and porcelain are manufactured; at Broseley various descriptions of pottery ware, including tobacco pipes, held in great estimation; at Hales Owen nails and pearl buttons are made; and Ludlow and its vicinity derive considerable prosperity from an extensive malting trade.