Philip Buckle 137 



(ii) the survey. 



In the conduct of the survey while too much attention cannot be 

 paid to correct soil-samphng, there is entailed something more than the 

 close examination of soil-samples in the laboratory. It is essential in 

 tracing the influence of cultivation to study the survey areas under 

 every weather condition and especially both during and immediately 

 after cultural operations. 



In considering suitable locahties for the survey areas regard had to 

 be paid to the desirability of the stations selected being at such a dis- 

 tance from the industrial towns as to lessen, to some extent, the effects 

 due to atmospheric impurities; and at the same time to make sure that 

 the fields chosen should be representative of the soil-type in each 

 district. 



The survey was carried out on three types of agricultural land. 



(a) Land continuously under the plough for a number of years. 



(b) Pasture land, which had been broken up not less than three 

 years previous to the survey. This interval of time was decided upon in 

 order that the hfe-histories of most of the species present would have 

 been completed at least once, and any effects upon the fauna, which 

 cultivation might possess, would have come into full play after that space 

 of time. 



(c) Permanent pasture or meadowland providing a "control" to the 

 conditions on arable land and giving some indication as to seasonal varia- 

 tion in the environment. 



No. 1 Station, Haveley Hey, is situated If miles south-west of 

 Northenden, Cheshire. The geological formation is the Lower Keuper 

 Sandstone or Waterstones overspread by Drift, composed of sand, 

 gravel and reddish clay with boulders. 



The district has an altitude of about 175 feet, and lies comparatively 

 close to the southern bank of the River Mersey. In fact, the height of the 

 river during floods is indicated by the excessive rising of the water- 

 table in the fields, due to the inabihty of the water to flow away through 

 the drains. The neighbourhood is comparatively open country, but there 

 are a number of small woods scattered over the area. 



The Field A ("Moat Field," Haveley Hey Farm, Northenden), 

 chosen as an example of arable land, has been continuously under the 

 plough for many years and is a typical arable soil of that district. The 

 field itself is fairly level, but on the west side slopes down into a hollow 

 in which runs a small stream. 



The rotation of crops is as follows: (1) Clover, 1916; (2) second year 



10—2 



