364 SYLVA AMERICANA. 



poles, machinery, fuel, etc., planting is of great importance and 

 utility to the community. In many cases, where the soil is of 

 greater value, the planting may be confined to the angles of 

 inclosures, and to hedge rows. 



In this last case it may be necessary to observe, that the land 

 of the lowest comparative value for corn crops, and the most 

 eligible for shelter and shade where required, should be chosen 

 for planting. 



It may be useful to take a more intimate view of the nature or 

 composition of those varieties of soil which have been alluded to. 

 It is proper, however, to observe, that the following statements 

 of the nature or constituents of these soils are not intended to 

 convey the idea that they are the best sorts respectively for the 

 different kinds of forest trees, but principally to show that on 

 such soils these trees have attained to great perfection of growth. 

 The soils were selected from the spots where the trees mentioned 

 in connexion with the soils were found by a celebrated 

 forester, and the trees were, on an average, the finest of the 

 respective kinds which have come under his observation. 



The great importance of precision in the nomenclature of soils, 

 whether in the details of planting or in husbandry, must be so 

 clear and evident to every person who may be desirous to profit 

 by the results of others' experience in these subjects, that it would 

 be superfluous here to add more on the point. 



1st. Heath soil, or siliceous sandy moor soil, incumbent on 

 shale or ferrugineous stones, and frequently on siliceous sand of 

 great depth. 



400 parts consisted of, fine siliceous sand, . . 320 



Carbonate of lime, . . . . . . 2 



Carbonate of magnesia, ..... ] 



Decomposing vegetable matter, chiefly composed of 



the decaying leaves of heath, . . . 55 



Silex, or impalpable earth of flints, ... . n 



Alumina, or pure matter of clay, ... 3 



Oxide of iron, . . .. , t 4 



Soluble matter, principally common salt, or muriate of soda, 4 



400 



