County Westmeath in 1839

Agriculture.

In the eastern parts the soil is a heavy loam from 7 to 12 inches deep; the northern parts, which are hilly and adapted for sheep-walks, are chiefly devoted to grazing black cattle.

In the western parts the soil is generally light; there is a great deal of bog.

The farms do not commonly exceed 100 acres or thereabouts, and in many cases are as small as 15, 10, 7, or even 3 acres.

The resident gentry usually farm a considerable portion of their own estates.

The average rent of arable land is from £1 5 shillings to £1 10 shillings; land of good quality will sometimes let for £2, that of inferior quality sometimes for not more than £1.

The system of 'con acres,' or lands let to the cottiers for the purpose of growing a single crop of potatoes, is prevalent in almost all parts of the county. (Appendix to the Report of Commissioners for Inquiring into the State of the Irish Poor.)

The chief crops raised by the farmer are oats and potatoes; a very little wheat, some barley, flax, rape, and clover are grown.

Fences, except in the neighbourhood of demesnes, are generally neglected; in some parts they consist simply of earthen banks without anything growing upon them.

Dairy farming is practised to some extent in this county, but not to such an extent as the nature of the soil would warrant. A considerable quantity of good butter is made, which is sent by Dublin to England.

The long horned cattle are much valued; some of the best specimens are grazed in this county, and all the stock participate in the blood.

Sheep are not a favourite stock, but there are some excellent ones of the long-woolled breed.

Pigs, as usual, are generally kept.

The breed of horses is superior; many are brought from Connaught and reared for sale in Dublin.

Wood is not plentiful; there are some small copses and underwoods, the remains of ancient forests; and some thriving young plantations.

The following table shows the sales of grain in the years 1826 and 1835:—

No return was received from the markets of Castle Pollard and Kilbeggan. No wheat appears to have been sold at Moate either in the years 1826 and 1835 or in the interval between them. Collinstown is not noticed. The name Coolnahea in the tables is, we suspect, an error. We know not with what place to identify it.

The returns of 1831 give 285 adult males as engaged in manufacture, 92 in that of linen (chiefly coarse), 22 in that of cotton, 20 in that of friezes and other woollens, chiefly coarse, and 2 in the silk manufacture. The remainder were not specified.

To these must be added 820 weavers, returned among the retail tradesmen and handicraftsmen; but what fabric they produced is not stated.