ABSTRACT
The way of life of Ashworthy is based on the land. It follows therefore that natural conditions—the climate, relief, soils, etc.—are of direct and continuous importance in their influence on the lives of the country people. Nature has not been kind to the parish. The surface of the land is broken up into small irregular ridges and winding narrow valleys. Sharp changes of slope are very common. Geologically, the area is composed of slatey shales and hard sandstones, from which are derived cold, heavy soils, deficient in lime and phosphates. The shales give rise to a thick clay subsoil, lying often within a few inches of the surface and producing very difficult drainage conditions. The climate is relatively unfavourable. The rainfall exceeds forty inches a year (more than twice that of much of south-eastern England) and its seasonal distribution makes corn harvesting and hay-making difficult and very uncertain. Winds are strong, often just before the harvest, while the combination of a high rainfall and cold, ‘late’ soils makes for a relatively short grazing season. The quality of the land varies abruptly from place to place, even within a single small field. Rushes, rank grasses and sedge are common. Flat valley-bottom land is very limited and often subject to flooding.
