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9
Soil.—The soil consists of a thin stratum of loam overlaying
the London clay. The clay extends to a depth known to vary
from 70 ft. to 260 ft. Along the course of the River Brent, which
forms the north-western limb of the triangle, there is a strip of
gravel extending in places to a considerable distance from the
present bed of the river. On the farm lands of Dollis Hill there is
a capping of Bagshot sand, similar to that occurring on Hampstead
Heath. Over the rest of the district the clay holds undisputed
possession. An unfortunate topographical feature is the ridge
running athwart the district from S.W. to N.E., which divides the
watershed of the Brent from that of the metropolis. By creating
two drainage areas it has raised a sewage problem in the Brent
district which, while a vital concern to the whole of Willesden, is
but part of a problem of wider significance since the interests of
London in matters so deeply concerning health are inseparable
from those of its immediate neighbours.
METEOROLOGY.
The following meteorological table has been computed upon
data of observations made at the Council's stations.
A comparison with the table in last year's report shows that
the year was warmer, dryer and more equable than 1903, the
rainfall being little more than half of that recorded during that
year.