[17] 



On the JSew Jersey Marls. By Paul Cooper, Woodbury, 

 Gloucester, JV. J. March 27, 1815. 



We find, that some of our marls produce almost in- 

 credible effects, and often on such soils as gypsum would 

 be entirely useless, on such as low, cold and wet, as well 

 as dry, light, sandy soils, where nothing grows but Indian 

 grass, and trash that will by no means pay for maintaining 

 a fence. It is surprising to see one part of an old field 

 that looks as if a rabbit would almost starve on it, and 

 the other part where from six to ten two horse wagon 

 loads of marl had been spread last spring, which yielded 

 the summer following two tons an acre of beautiful white 

 and red clover, and will this season likewise ; and if 

 next fall wheat should be sown, and the next season 

 prove favourable, will no doubt produce an excellent crop 

 of that grain. 



The beneficial effects of our marl are seen on all soils 

 that will naturally produce wheat and clover, as well as 

 on such soils as are worthless. Mr. Kirwan tells us the 

 best manure for clayey soils is marl, and that all the books 

 of agriculture are unanimous in this. It has been proved 

 beyond all controversy, that it is a most excellent ma- 

 nure for dry light soils, as well as such as are low, wet, 

 and very poor. Mossy land has been greatly improved 

 by it : indeed I have not heard of any kind of soil that 

 our best marl has not improved where it has been tried. 

 The chocolate coloured, the grey and the gunpowder 

 marls from the branches of Timber creek, have been 

 found excellent. That on Mantua creek, is useful, but 

 not equal to the former. 



/)/% Mease. 



