71 



days. The .General's land is of great note, 

 being what is termed limestone land, and 

 more productive than any other in that 

 country. 



In America, limestone is usually reckon- 

 ed the best soil. As this was quite contra- 

 ry to my former ideas, I wished much to 

 inform myself of the nature of the lime- 

 stone land there. I thought it might in all 

 probability grow saintfoin ; and it would 

 be of great value, should that prove the 

 case : but on examining the different strata, 

 I found them very irregular ; so much so, 

 that to one square yard that would grow 

 saintfoin, there were great distances that 

 would not. I apprehend, from the different 

 trials that have been made, it will not grow 

 for any length of time, if it would at all : 

 as I know in England saintfoin land must 

 be regular, and no great distance from the 

 rock ; for this herb in general takes its 

 nutriment from the stone, and not from the 

 surface or top soil, and the young plant 

 will die before it reaches the stone if at 



