SOILS. 17 



Clay soils are strong and durable, and retain more than any other the fertilizing ele 

 ments that may be added in the form of manures, etc., and when properly managed, are 

 among the most valuable and productive. They are admirably adapted to the production of 

 most of the grains, especially wheat, also clovers of various kinds, and beans. They are also 

 peculiarly suited to grasses, hence are often denominated grass lands, owing to their peculiar 

 fitness for mowing lands and pastures. 



Sandy Soils and their Management. Sandy soils are in almost all respects the 

 reverse of clays being warm, light, and dry. Under judicious cultivation, for most kinds 

 of crops, no soils yield more readily or bountifully, while they possess the advantage of being 

 ready for working earlier in the spring than clay soils, and are less liable to be affected by 

 frosts. Being leachy, they have but a slight hold on manures, as water soon washes out the 

 fertilizing elements, consequently it is best not to apply them until near the time of planting, 

 such as late in the winter or early in the spring, instead of the fall, as on some other soils. 



The texture and quality of sandy soils are much improved by a mixture of clay and 

 humus, or mold, while muck and vegetable matter, liberally applied, are also often very 

 beneficial. &quot;With a good supply of humus in the soil, little fear need be entertained of 

 drought. 



Allen says : &quot; As clay soils are much benefited by a mixture of sand, so likewise are sandy 

 soils greatly improved by the addition of clay, yet in a much higher degree; for though it 

 would never pay, as a general rule, to add sand to clay, yet the addition of a, few loads of the 

 stiffest clay to a light sand, would in almost every instance much more than compensate for 

 the trouble and the expense. For this purpose, the clay should be thinly spread in autumn 

 upon sward land previously plowed, and the winter s frost will effectually separate the parti 

 cles. It should then be harrowed thoroughly and deeply in the spring, and subsequently 

 plowed if necessary. Such a dressing on a light, crawling land, is more than equivalent to 

 an equal quantity of the best manure, and will be permanent in its effects. Clay and sand 

 are necessary to each other, as they both contain qualities which are essential to a good soil ; 

 and that will always be found the best, which has the proper proportion of each. 



Sandy soils are improved by the frequent use of a heavy roller: it cannot be used too 

 often. They require to be made more compact, and any treatment that secures this object 

 will be advantageous. 



Lime, by its chemical action on the constituents of soils, while it separates clay, renders 

 sand more adhesive; and when cheaply obtained, it is always a profitable dressing for sandy 

 soils, to the full amount they may require. Gypsum, in considerable quantities, has an effect 

 similar to lime, both on clay and sand; and when added in smaller portions, produces a 

 striking increase in the crops of sandy soils. Clay marls, containing either carbonate, sul 

 phate, or phosphate of lime, are of great value to sandy soils. Equally beneficial are ashes, 

 leached or unleached, peat, or vegetable manures of any kind. Some calcareous sands, con 

 taining a large proportion of lime, like those of Egypt and extensive regions in the Barbary 

 States, will produce luxuriantly, if supplied with a slight addition of manure and an abund 

 ance of water. Sandy soils can never be profitably cultivated till they have acquired 

 sufficient compactness and fertility to sustain a good growth of grass or clover; and when 

 once brought to this condition, they are among the most valuable. 



They are at all times easily plowed and worked; they require no draining; and though 

 light and dry, are quick and kindly soils, giving an immediate and full return for the labor 

 and manure bestowed upon them. When in a condition to produce grass, sheep are admira 

 bly adapted to preserve and augment their fertility, and by their incessant migrations over it, 

 their sharp hoofs pack the surface closely, producing the same effect as the roller.&quot; 



For corn or any strong-growing crop in sandy soils, it is well to give the land a large 

 supply of barn-yard manure applying it after the land is plowed, which should be a few 



