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 the average of the rent of the green land is estimated at between 30s. and 25s. the Irish acre. The principal feature in the tillage system of a great part of Antrim, is the potatoe fallow. The small size of the farms, and, in some places, the rockiness of the soil, precludes the use of the ordinary means of culture, and therefore a part of the land is dug with the spade. The quantity of potatoe-land is regulated by the quantity of manure that can be collected. After potatoes, fax is sown, and the quantity of fax ground is regulated by the ability to purchase the seed. A crop of oats finishes the regular rotation. When the ground is exhausted, it is turned to rest, that is, it is suffered to lie till it is covered with natural grass. Such is the most general plan of husbandry pursued in Antrim. In those parts where the farms are too large for the spade culture, the land is ploughed by three or four neighbours uniting their strength; one supplying the plough, and the others bringing a horse, bullock, or even a milch cow. Wheat is a plant of very modern introduction in Antrim, and very little of it is sown. The quantity of seed sown to the Irish acre, varies from 224 to 171 lbs. avoirdupois; and the produce from 2272 to 2135. Bear or bigg is grown only in the colder and higher parts of the County; the seed used is 203 Ibs.; the produce 3500. The quantity of barley used as seed varies from 203 to 209; and the produce from 2982 to 2646. Of oats, the seed varies from 333 to 291, and the produce from 3636 to 3227. Of potatoes, the seed varies from 2392 to 1383, and the produce from 22,248 to 15,183.

The most important crop in Antrim is flax. The total number of acres supposed to be sown with flax in the year 1809, was 11,000; and the total number of bushels of flax-seed, supposed to have been saved out of the crops, was 3100. The annual average of flax-seed imported into Belfast is 5000 hogsheads, of about seven bushels each. The quantity of seed generally used for an acre is 30 gallons; the produce of seed averages 785 gallons: the average produce of flax is 30 stone per acre.

The cattle in Antrim consist chiefly of milch cows belonging to small occupiers, of a small stunted breed. Sheep are very little attended to; and the few that are kept are of a very inferior kind. Goats are numerous in the mountainous parts of the County. Pigs also are kept in great numbers. During the salting season of 1811, not fewer than 70,000 pigs, weighing at least 200 lb. each, were brought to Belfast for exportation.

This County by no means abounds with wood: nor are fruit-trees cultivated in great abundance, or with very much success. Of the apple, however, several new, and valuable varieties have lately been introduced, and advantageously cultivated.

Antrim has long been distinguished for its linen manufacture; but latterly, the manufacture of cotton has, in same measure, supplanted it, especially in the vicinity of Belfast. In the year 1800, about 23 years after the introduction of the cotton manufacture, 13,500 people were directly employed in it; and including all manner of persons occupied in it in various ways, the number was 27,000, within a circuit of 10 miles; comprehending, however, the towns of Belfast, and Lisburn. The cotton yam is chiefly brought from Scotland.

The linen manufacture, notwithstanding, is still the staple manufacture of Antrim. It is a peculiarity of this manufacture, as it is established in Ireland, that it does not remove the peasant from the comforts and healthiness of rural life. In Antrim, the weaver and the labourer of the soil are united in the same person. Many weavers have small farms, and only employ themselves in weaving during the intervals of their farming occupations; and almost all who pursue this trade, possess gardens, and ground for potatoes. Many of the houses have three looms, which cost from four to five guineas each: Children are hired to attend a loom at from 13s. to 17s. the half year, with diet, washing, and lodging: they bring a weaver eight guineas per annum. A good weaver will gain 10s. per web, and if he worked every day, he could weave a web in a week. A loom will employ four spinners, who are all females, and will spin five hanks in a week, the price of which is 2s. 8½d.

The consumption of food per week, by a manufacturing family, consisting of six persons, in this County, is 3½ bushels of potatoes; 14 herrings; 9 quarts of butter milk; and one pound of salt: the cost of which may be estimated at five shillings. The expence of a family, consisting of the same number of persons, the head of which works at agricultural labours, will be 7s. 6d. per week, as he occasionally uses meat, milk, and pork.

There is a considerable salmon-fishing on the coast of Antrim, at a place called Carrick-a-rede. This place is separated from the mainland by a chasm 60 feet in width, over which, every year, at the commencement of the fishery, a bridge formed of two strong cables, and a number of boards, is thrown.

The antiquities of this County consist of cairns, cromlechs, mounts, forts, ecclesiastical and military remains, round towers, &c. There are three round towers, viz. one near the town of Antrim; one at Ardmoy; and one in Ram Island, in Lough Neagh. A few years ago, a double patera of gold, weighing 19 ounces, 10 dwts. was found in this County.

The number of houses in the County of Antrim, in the year 1777, was 22,184; of which 20,519 paid for one hearth; 3667 for two or more; 1066 were newly inhabited; and 3002 belonged to paupers. In the year 1788 the number of houses was 28,254, and the population was estimated at 160,000. At this rate there were about 13 acres to a house, and about 48 persons on the square mile. In the year 1791, the number of houses was 30,314, of which 22,353 paid for one hearth, and 3746 were inhabited by paupers. The number of men returned, in the year 1810, between the ages of 16 and 45, fit to serve in the militia, was 24,425. Mr Dubourdieu, in his Statistical Survey of Antrim, estimates the present population at 240,000.

Antrim is supposed to contain a greater proportion of Protestants than any other County in Ireland; and of the Protestants a very great majority is Presbyterian; being connected with the General Synod of Ulster, or with the Burghers and Antiburghers of the Church of Scotland. This arises from the Scotch