ARBORICULTURE. 323 



land which contains less than one sixth of impalpable earthy- 

 matter, not without considerably effervescing with acids ; the 

 word loam should be limited to soils, containing at least one third 

 of impalpable earthy matter, copiously effervescing with acids. 

 A soil to be considered as peaty, ought to contain at least 

 one half of vegetable matter. Jn cases where the earthy part of 

 a soil evidently consists of the decomposed matter of one 

 particular rock, a name derived from the rock may with propriety 

 be applied to it. Thus, if a fine red earth be found immediately 

 above decomposing basalt, it may be denominated basaltic soil. 

 If fragments of quartz and mica be found abundant in the 

 materials of the soil, which is often the case, it may be 

 denominated granitic soil ; and the same principles may be 

 applied to other like instances. In general, the soils, the 

 materials of which are the most various and heterogeneous, are 

 those called alluvial, or which have been formed from the 

 depositions of rivers ; and these deposits may be designated as 

 siliceous, calcareous, or argillaceous ; and in some cases the term 

 saline may be added as a specific distinction, applicable, for 

 example, at the mouth of rivers, where their alluvial remains are 

 overflown by the sea. 



The following table enumerates the more common genera, 

 species and varieties of soil. The application ol the terms will 

 be understood by r every cultivator, though to attempt to describe 

 the soils either chemically or empirically, (as by sight, smell or 

 touch), would be a useless waste of time. From a very little 

 experience in the field or garden, more may be gained in the 

 study of soils, than from a volume of such descriptions. This 

 table corresponds with the nomenclature adopted in the agricultural 

 establishments of Fellenberg at Hofwyl in Switzerland, of 

 Professor Timer at Moegelin in Prussia, of Professor Thouin in 

 his lectures at Paris, and in general with that of all the European 

 professors. It is therefore very desirable that it should become 

 as generally adopted as that of the Linnaean system in botany. 

 The principle of the table may be extended so as to contain any 

 other soil whatever. 



