From
Ireland Home Page
>>Irish Genealogical Research index page>>Griffiths
Primary Valuation explanation>>Terms used in the Griffiths Primary
Valuation of Ireland
written
by Thomas Osborne Davis (1814-1845)
Mr.
Griffith's instructions were clear and full, and we strongly recommend
the study of them, and an adherence to their forms and classifications,
to valuators of all private and public properties, so far as they go.
He
appointed two classes of valuators - Ordinary Valuators to make the
first valuation all over each county, and Cheek Valuators to re-value
patches in every district, to test the accuracy of the ordinary valuators.
The
ordinary valuator was to have two copies of the Townland (or 6-inch)
Survey. Taking a sheet with him into the district represented on it,
he was to examine the quality of the soil in lots of from fifty to thirty
acres, or still smaller bits, to mark the bounds of each lot on the
survey map, and to enter in his field book the value thereof, with all
the special circumstances specially stated. The examination was to include
digging to ascertain the depth of the soil and the nature of the subsoil.
All land was to be valued at its agricultural worth, supposing it liberally
set, leaving out the value of timber, turf, etc. Reductions were to
be made for elevation above the sea, steepness, exposure to bad winds,
patchiness of soil, bad fences, and bad roads. Additions were to be
made for neighbourhood of limestone, turf, sea, or other manure, roads,
good climate and shelter, nearness to towns.
The
following classification of soils was recommended :-
"Arrangement of Soils"
All
soils may be arranged under four heads, each representing the characteristic
ingredients, as:
1. Argillaceous, or clayey
2.
Silicious, or sandy
3.
Calcareous, or limy
4.
Peaty.
For
practical purposes it will be desirable to subdivide each of these classes
-
Thus argillaceous soils may be divided into three varieties, viz.:Clay,
clay loam, and argillaceous alluvial.
Of silicious soils there are four varieties, viz: Sandy, gravelly, slaty,
and rocky.
Of calcareous soils we have three varieties, viz.: Limestone, limestone
gravel, and marl.
Of peat soils two varieties, viz.: Moor, and peat, or bog.
In
describing in the field book the different qualities of soils, the following
explanatory words may be used as occasion may require.-
Stiff -Where a soil contains a large proportion, say one-half,
or even more, of tenacious clay, it is called stiff. In dry weather
this kind of soil cracks and opens, and has a tendency to form into
large and hard lumps, particularly if ploughed in wet weather.
Friable -Where the soil is loose and open, as is generally the
case in sandy, gravelly, and moory lands.
Strong -Where a soil contains a considerable portion of clay,
and has some tendency to form into clods or lumps, it may be called
strong.
Deep -Where the soil exceeds ten inches in depth, the term deep
may be applied.
Shallow.-Where the depth of the soil is less than eight inches.
Dry -Where the soil is friable, and the subsoil porous (if there
be no springs), the term dry should be used.
Wet -Where the soil, or subsoil, is very tenacious, or where
springs are numerous.
Sharp.-Where there is a moderate proportion of gravel, or small stones.
Fine or Soft -Where the soil contains no gravel, but is chiefly
composed of very fine sand, or soft, light earth without gravel.
Cold -Where the soil rests on a tenacious clay subsoil, and has
a tendency when in pasture to produce rushes and other aquatic plants.
Sandy or gravelly -Where there is a large proportion of sand
or gravel through the soil.
Slaty.-Where the slaty substratum is much inter- mixed with the soil.
Worn.-Where the soil has been a long time under cultivation, without
rest or manure.
Poor -Where the land is naturally of bad quality.
Hungry.-Where the soil contains a considerable portion of gravel, or
coarse sand, resting on a gravelly subsoil; on such land manure does
not produce the usual effect.
The
colours of soils may also be introduced, as brown, yellow, blue, grey,
red, black, etc.
Also,
where applicable, the words steep, level, shrubby, rocky, exposed, etc.,
may be used.
Lists
of market prices were sent with the field books, and the amounts then
reduced to a uniform rate, which Mr. Griffith fixed at 2s. 6d. per pound
over the prices of produce mentioned in the Act.
Note:
Richard John Griffith, son of Richard Griffith, M.P. for Askeaton in
the Irish Parliament and grandson of Richard and Elizabeth Griffith,
th eplaywrights and novelists. He was Professor of Geology under the
Royal Dublin Society and he died in 1878
