full extent. The fields and gardens too generally present

"A wild, where weeds and flowers promiscuous shoot;"

but for this confusion,

"We ought to blame the culture, not the soil;"

since the luxuriant crop of weeds affords a good proof of a prolific matrix.*

In Mr. Falle's time, the great deformity of the island was an incredible multitude of toads;† its present deformity is the incredible number of weeds, which, as an English agriculturist sarcastically said, formed one of the island crops. The surface is likewise disfigured, in a variety of places, from the protuberances occasioned by an immense number of moles, which have been called the Jersey ploughmen. The estates of several gentlemen are, however, exceptions, in both respects, to these general strictures. The real population of the island is now so great, and the adventitious increase by the military, by masons, and by other workmen employed under govern

* See Note (F).

+ From hence has arisen the name of Crapaux, so illiberally applied to the natives. ↑ Among the laws of the Twelve Tables at Rome, was this ordinance: That no person should use charms to draw his neighbour's corn into his own fields. As many of the country inhabitants are, even at the present day, strongly impressed with the idea of wizards and witches, it would be very desirable to find some of this wonder-working tribe, whose magical spells were sufficiently powerful to draw all the moles and weeds out of the island.

ment, forms so considerable an addition, that every foot of ground should be cultivated to the utmost.

When Dr. Heylin came to Jersey, many years since, he found the inhabitants more inclined to agricultural pursuits than to manufactures, or commerce; and he observes, that "the island is generally very fruitful of corn, whereof the inhabitants have not only enough for themselves, but some overplus." This is far from being now the case. The island does not produce more than two thirds of the quantity of corn to answer its consumption. The decay of tillage arose from a coalition of causes; and these are daily increasing. It sprung from the improvement of navigation and foreign commerce, which employed many hands, and advanced the price of labour;— from an increase of the stocking manufacture ;—and from the conversion of the best arable lands into gardens and cider orchards, Corn was, in consequence, brought from foreign markets, cheaper than the Jersey farmers could afford it. These causes operated when Mr. Falle lived: additional reasons may now be assigned; an increased population, both permanent and accidental;—the quantity of oxen and sheep imported from England for slaughter, and that require to be pastured for several weeks before they can recover from the effects of their voyage ;—the greater number of horses now kept by the military and

private persons, together with those employed in town carts;—and the prodigious number of cows bred for the purpose of exporting to England. For the last three uses a larger proportion of grass land became necessary, and an increased demand arose for the article of hay.*

From this deficit in the island produce from tillage, especially respecting grain, there is, not unfrequently, a temporary scarcity in the town of St. Helier this seems to require some counteracting measure. From contrary winds, or stormy weather, the bakers are, at times, very short of flour, and the butchers of meat; so that were a deficiency, in either respect, to happen, at a time when an enemy possessed only a momentary naval superiority, the consequences might be very distressing. The country inhabitants, living principally on the produce of their farms, would not feel the inconvenience in so serious a degree.

Notwithstanding what has been said, in the beginning of this section, the soil of Jersey is not to be comprised under the heads of grit, and alluvial deposites. It is in general composed of a light, sandy, and highly prolific

These remarks were penned during the late war. At this present moment, though peace has been only so recently restored, hay has fallen to one fourth of the price it obtained a few months back, and horses are daily declining in value.

E

earth.* We meet also with blue and yellow clay. A singular circumstance is, that though a very great variety exists in the mineralogical department of Jersey, neither limestone, chalk, nor any substance of a calcareous nature, has ever been discovered, except in trifling specimens nor is there marle, nor any true gravel. The inhabitants repair their roads with rock, broken into suitable fragments; and they employ the same substance, taken from particular spots, in a disintegrated state, for walks in their gardens and pleasure grounds. The sort used for these purposes is very argillaceous; consequently it binds extremely well; and when properly chosen in point of colour, has much the appearance of real gravel, and nearly all its advantages.

The slopes, or coteaux, yield timber, broom, gorse, fern, and, where neither too steep nor too rocky, tolerable pasture.

The parishes of St. Ouen, and St. Brelade, are generally the earliest, by a fortnight, in their harvestings: St. John's is considered as later than any other.

Much of the land near the town of St. Helier, has a superstratum of brick earth, though not of the best quality for the purpose: it is however employed; and from a

See Note (G). See MINERALOGY.

recent demand for the public works, and for the enlargement of the town itself, the vicinity is now crowded with brickeries

DIVISIONS.

The island is divided into twelve parishes; these are Trinity, St. John's, and St. Mary's, on the north; St. Quen's, St. Peter's, and St. Brelade's, (or Breverlard's), on the west; St. Lawrence's, St. Helier's, and St. Saviour's, on the south; St. Clement's, Grouville, and St. Martin's, on the east. These, with the exception of the parish of St. Ouen, are again divided into Vintaines, or double tithings. The divisions in that parish are called Cuillettes. All border, more or less, on the sea, except St. Saviour's, and even this has one point of contact.

ENCLOSURES, HEDGEROWS OR BANKS, AND WASTE LANDS.

The custom of Gavel-kind, or an equal distribution of fortune among children, prevailing, though in a very par