234 On the Ifarling of a Light Sandy Soil. 



able to tell the difference ; but this year the barley looks much 

 stronger and stiffer in the straw and stands much more upright 

 than on the land which was not clayed, where the greater part of 

 the crop is down on the ground, and, should we have much rain, 

 will be rotted. 



The quantity per acre is generally fifty loads ; if more is put 

 on I should recommend it to be done at twice, as, in my opinion, 

 more at once would do harm. Nearly all the light soil on the 

 farm of the Duke of Bedford at this place has been clayed, and 

 a great deal of it twice, and in every instance we have found its 

 beneficial effects. The clay may be dug from the pit at any 

 time when most convenient for the farmer, and, if turned over once 

 or twice, will mix much better with the soil,, but will be attended 

 with more expense ; my plan has been generally to dig and cart 

 the clay on the field at once. 



I am. Sir, 

 Your most obedient and humble servant, 



Charles Burness. 

 Park Farm, Wohurn, 2Sth July, 1842. 



The clay employed contains a great deal of lime, and is, in fact, a stiff 

 marl. — Ph. Pusey. 



As regards the application of marl or clay to sandy land, the quantity 

 used in my neighbourhood has varied from 50 to 150 yards per acre. 

 The smaller quantity I think, upon the whole, is best, as it mixes more 

 steadily with the soil, and, though it may not be quite so durable, comes 

 sooner into operation. I have applied it to clover-leys in the summer, and 

 to the turnip fallows at different times. I think the best plan of all is to have 

 it dug in the winter, and to cart it upon the turnip-land in the spring after it 

 has had some months to dry ; the carriage is then somewhat lighter, and, 

 as the days are then longer, more is got in in a day. — F. Pym. 



XVI. — On Claying or Marling Land. By F. W. Overman. 



To Ph. Pusey, Esq. 



Sir, — Having been requested by Lord Charles Russell to write to 

 you on the application of marl and clay to land, I may state that I 

 entered upon my farm in the year 1814: it had been farmed for 

 some years by that great patron of agriculture the late Duke of 

 Bedford, and consisted of 630 acres, part gravel, part sand, part 

 moorland covered with rushes, and some strong clay-land. I found 

 that I did not grow the quantity and quality of corn v/hich the 

 land ought to do from its condition ; and having seen upon my 

 brother's (Mr. T. R. Overman, Burnham Sutton, Norfolk) the 

 good effect of claying land, I determined to clay mine ; I have 



