SOILS. 21 



sive regions in the Barbary States, will produce luxuriantly, 

 if supplied with a slight addition of manure and an abun- 

 dance of water. Sandy soils can never be profitably culti- 

 vated, till they have acquired sufficient compactness and fer- 

 tility, to sustain a good growth of grass or clover ; and 

 when once brought to this condition, they are among the 

 most valuable for tillage, especially for such crops as require 

 early maturity. 



They are, at all times, easily plowed and worked ; they re- 

 quire 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 admirably 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/ 



GRAVELLY SOILS are in some respects similar to sand, but 

 much less desirable, being appropriately termed hungry. 

 Like the latter, they are peculiarly leachy, but in an increased 

 degree, permitting the rapid escape of manures, both by 

 evaporation and drainage. ,Such as are calcareous or com- 

 posed of limestone pebbles, are in a great measure not sub- 

 ject to these objections; as the disposing affinities of the 

 lime, (of which enough will be found to exist in the soil in 

 a finely comminuted or divided state, and in this condition 

 is enabled to act efficiently,) have a tendency to retain the 

 vegetable matters, thus compacting the soil, and holding 

 whatever food of plants may from time to time be given to 

 it, for the wants of future crops. Unless of this latter de- 

 scription, gravelly soils should not be subjected to tillage, 

 but appropriated to pasturage, when sheep will keep them 

 in the best and most profitable condition of which they are 

 capable. 



LOAMY SOILS being intermediate between clay and sand, 

 possess characteristics, and require a treatment approximating 

 to one or the other, according to the predominance of either 

 quality. They are among the most desirable soils for the 

 various purposes of agriculture. 



MARLY AND CALCAREOUS SOILS have always a full supply 

 of lime, and like the loams, they frequently incline towards a 

 clay or sand, requiring a management corresponding to their 

 character. Putrescent and vegetable manures increase their 

 fertility, and these are held with great tenacity till exhausted 

 by crops. In durability or lastingness, they cannot be ex- 



