Montgomeryshire

Montgomeryshire, an inland county of North Wales, 40 miles long and 35 broad, bounded NE. and NW. by the counties of Denbigh and Merioneth, E. by Shropshire, and S. and SW. by Radnorshire and Cardiganshire. Area, 773 sq. m., or 495,089 acres, of which more than one-third is laid down in permanent pasture, and 58,277 acres are under tillage. Pop. (1801) 47,978; (1831) 65,700; (1881) 65,718; (1891) 58,003. Its surface is most barren, and in places mountainous, Plinlimmon (2469 feet), on the Cardiganshire border, the Berwyn Mountains in the NE., and the Breidden Hills—some 12 miles E. of Shrewsbury—being the principal elevations; but towards the English border its character changes, and the predominating feature is that of a series of fertile and well-wooded valleys, in which grain of all kinds, but chiefly oats, is raised, and a small area is under cultivation as fruit orchards. On the uplands the soil is poor, and principally adapted for pasturing the large flocks of sheep reared thereon. The Severn, with its tributary the Vyrnwy, and the Dovey—alike noted for their fishing—are the most important rivers, whilst Offa's Dyke (q.v.) traverses the south-east corner of the county. The mineral wealth of Montgomeryshire is not great, but lead and zinc are mined, and slates, slabs, and limestone quarried. Of manufactures, that of Welsh flannel at Newtown is the most extensive. The county comprises nine hundreds, the municipal boroughs of Llanidloes and Welshpool, and sixty-eight parishes. One representative is returned to the House of Commons for the county, as also one for the Montgomeryshire district of boroughs—viz. Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Montgomery, Newtown, and Welshpool, which too are the chief towns. The County Council consists of fifty-six members.—The county town Montgomery is 7 miles S. of Welshpool. Pop. 1194.