PLANTING. 



Thebeecli, ash, and oak thrive better on a soil of the above composition, 

 than any of the resinous or fir species of trees. 



10th. Rich alluvial or marsh soil, on the estate of Lord Saye and 



Sele at Uehidere, near Erith, in Kent, situated partly below and partly 



above the level of the river Thames. Gr;iin , 



Fine sand . . . . ,98 



Aluminous grit or stones . . .68 



Carbonate of lime . . . .15 



Decomposing animal and vegetable matter . . 40 



Silica or impalpable earth of flints . .115 



Alumina or pure matter of clay . . .32 



Oxide of iron . . . .12 



Sulphate of lime or gypsum . . .3 



Soluble vegetable extract and saline matters, giving indication 



of not more, or rather less, than the usual quantity found in 



soils generally of the muriate of soda or common salt . 6 



Moisture and loss . . , .11 



400 



This soil had the character in the neighbourhood of being incapable of 

 growing any kind of tree : it was supposed to contain an excess of common 

 salt. The Hon. Twisleton Fiennes has put this interesting question to the 

 test of trial. We examined this soil chemically as above, and found that 

 common salt entered but little into its composition. The stagnant moisture 

 with which it was surcharged appeared to be the chief, if not the only defect 

 of the soil. The subsoil in part is peaty and incumbent on a clayey marl. 

 A large open drain was made so as to command the water in the space 

 set apart to be planted. The ground was properly trenched and thrown 

 up into broad ridges, as recommended at p. 22 of this Treatise, with 

 secondary drains between each ridge, communicating with the principal 

 one. The ground was planted with a numerous variety of trees for the 

 purpose of experiment. The results now obtained show that the poplar 

 {Poplusnigra}, willow (Salix alba ct Ri(sse.lliana),c\m (Ulmus moutana}, 

 sycamore (Acer pseudo-platanus}, ash (Fraximis excelsior}, alder (Alnus 

 glutiosa}, locust (Robinia pseudo- acacia}, birch (Bcfalld), oak (Qin>rci(s 

 robnr}, horse-chestnut (/7v?n/ ///.<? Itippncastaiunn), Spanish chestnut (Cas- 

 tania 7v.?rr/), hornbeam (Carpi/in* ///////.<?), lime (Tilia eiir pcca}, spruce 

 fir (Pi/urs (ibies), with dog-wood (Corjius cocciuca}, privet (Ligti&trum 

 n//zare), holly (7/rr a qui folium}, and ha/el (Cory/us arellara}, as un- 

 derwood ; these different species of trees have succeeded in the order 

 nearly as they have been enumerated, the first eight-mentioned sorts 

 having, up to this period, a decided advantage over the others. The Hon. 

 Mr. Fiennes purposes to continue and extend this interesting investigation ; 

 the results of which will decide the question, which is one of importance 

 to the owners of soils of this nature. 



Of the al>o\e varieties of soils, if we except the sandy loam No. 3, and 

 the clayey loam No. .">, there is not one which, on its natural site, could 

 be profitably cultivated under corn or green crops, but which, by skilful 

 planting, might be made to return Considerable profits to the owners, and 

 also to the public the many advantages which judicious planting always 

 confers. 



Although there may be found shades of difference in the proportions 



of the constituents of soils receiving the same designation, such, for 



the poor sandy soil, containing ten per cent, more or less of 



sand in one situation more than another, yet the actual produce of timber, 



