OLD RED SANDSTONE SOIL. 



day, required the calcareous rock called " Dunstone " to give full 

 flavour and richness to its liquor. The Foxwhelp on the other 

 hand, yields the Cider, so remarkable for its strength, and that 

 peculiar flavour, for which it is so highly esteemed, from deep clay 

 Sandstone loam, and if the trees are grown on light or too sandy a 

 soil, its Cider is then thin and inferior in flavour. The same may 

 be said of several other varieties. 



It is a curious fact, and certainly more than a coincidence, that 

 the practical experience of so many generations of men should 

 show that the two counties which have chiefly given its high 

 character to English Cider are Herefordshire and Devonshire ; and 

 these two counties are remarkable for the same character of soil, 

 that is for the deep clay loam of that ancient geological formation, 

 the Old Red Sandstone. This experience is fully borne out in our 

 own times, and it may be added that even in these favoured counties, 

 the districts especially noted for this character of soil, are those 

 most remarkable for Cider of the highest flavour and quality. The 

 light soils will not now give a superior Cider, and he who would 

 plant a successful Orchard must choose a deep, stiff". Sandstone 

 loam for his trees, if he has the opportunity of doing so. 



The following analysis of Herefordshire soil was made by Mr. 

 G. H. With, F.R.A.S., and F.C.S., in 1877 :— 



Analysis of the Credenhill Marl, or Cornsj 



Organic matter and combined water 



Silica, and insoluble Silicates ... 



Tricalise Phosphate 



Lime Carbonate 



Magnesia Carbonate 



Peroxide of Iron 



Alumina 



Chloride of Potassium 



Chloride of Sodium 



Peroxide of Manganese, Sulphuric Acid, and loss 



