occurring in Lancashire. 27# 



into the mass, as happens wiih respect to the blue rock; 

 The summits of the hisher Hmi-stone rocks are mostly de* 

 stitute ot soil, and exhibit a desolate prospect. Fragments 

 of the hniestone rocks cover the ground to a greac depth 

 below the abrupt faces of these mountains; and the valleys 

 are filled up bv a calcareous sammel, forming a very com- 

 pact body similar to that forn^erly mentioned, (p. 271,) or 

 by the Iniiestone fragments rounded by attrition into the 

 form of pebbles, and mixed with others of whinstoncj gra- 

 nite, and gritstone. 



The interstices of these pebbles are frequently filled to a 

 considerable depth with a fine mould; so that although the 

 ground may at first sight appear so stony that little vegeta- 

 tion could be expected; yet, under proper management, 

 excellent crops are produced*. 



The soil is in general a brown or hazel mould, rather 

 light, but capable of being made productive of the finest 

 grass bv the addition of the usual manures. All the poas 

 and white clover are its natural tenants. Rushes, except 

 on the mosses, are rarely seen in this district. A small ad- 

 dition of clay, or argillaceous matter, appears capable of 

 giving it that kind of tenacilv which would enable it better 

 to retain any manure which might be spread upon or in- 

 corporated with it. 



Jl'Iarl, but especially shell marl, is found in sufficient 

 quantity in Low Furncss, and has been used with success 

 as a manure in particular instances. It has not, however, 

 become a general practice, although it promises to be of 

 the highest utility. A proportion of clay has lately been 

 discovered in some of the beds of sammel, which of course 

 constitutes marl ; and its effecis on the adjoining lands will 

 probably be soon put to the trial. 



The west of Ulverstone (which is called Low Furncss) is 

 a fine champaign country, with little wood, and forms a 

 perfect contrast with the mountainous district to the north- 

 west of it, and is extremely fertile both in arable and pas- 

 lure ground. From the comparative lowness of the land, 

 the clouds frequently pass over it without depositing their 

 contents, until they are attracted and stopped by the lofty 



• In cutting the various canals in this country, a very accurate discovery 

 cf the nature and quality of the soil has been made, frequently to a consi- 

 ifrMe depth; and it appears surprisinfj how thin a stratum of mould on 

 tlie surface is frequcmlv adequate not only tu the mere purposes of vigeta- 

 tion, but to the production ot <jood crops both of grans and corn. In many 

 inalances a few inches in thickness of mould are incumbent on immense bed* 

 cf the most sterile flinty gravel, in a part of the country where this land let* 

 for 51. per acre, (customary measure.; 



Vol. 38. No. 162. Oc^ 1811. S hill*. 



