The following is an article written by Thomas Davis in 'The Nation'. It simnply gives some explanation of the Griffiths valuation - an explanation which I've not seen anywhere else - it should be of interest to some :-) Griffiths: Richard John Griffith, son of Richard Griffith, M.P. for Askeaton in the Irish Parliament, and grandson of Richaard and Elizabeth Griffith, the playwrights and novelists. He was professor of Geology under the Royal Dublin Society before he was appointed to the post under which he carried out the famous "Griffiths Valuatoin of Ireland". he died in 1787 at thre age of 94. Mr. Griffiths instructions were clear and full, and we strongly recommend the study of them, and an adherance to their forms and classifications, to valuators of all private and public properties, so far as they go. He appointed two classes of vlauators - Ordinary Valuators to make the first valuation all over each county, and Check Valuators to re-value patches in every district, to test the acuracy of 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 f from fifty to thirty acres, or still smaller bits, to mark the bounds of each lot on the surtvey map, and to entere 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 teh soil and the nature of the subsoil. All land was to be valued at its agricultural worth, supposeing 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 windes, patchiness of soil, bad fences, and bad roads. Additions were to be made for neighbourhood of limestone, turf, or sea or other manure, roads, good climate and shelter, nearness of towns. The following classification of soils was recommended: Arrangement of Soils: "All soils may be arrranged under four heads, each representing the characteristic ingredients, as in 1. Argilaceous or clayey 2. Silicious or sandy 3. Clacareous 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 occassion may requre: 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 spriongs) the term dry should be used. Wet: Where teh 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 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 intermixed 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, gr4ey, red, black etc. Also where applicable, the wrods steep, level, shrubby, rocky, exposed etc may be used. List of market prices were sent with the field books and then amounts then reduced to a uniform rate, which Mr. Griffith fixed at 2 shillings and 6 pennies per pound over the prices of produce mentioned in the Act.