FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 85 



less the growth of the moss be destroyed by scarifying and. 

 top-dressings. We have known gypsum to answer an ex- 

 celent purpose, in extirpating the growth of moss in a dry 

 loamy soil. This manure was merely scattered over the 

 mossy ground in the Spring; when the moss soon gavfe 

 way to a growth of white-clover. 



Loamy lands are generally too cold, and often too wet, 

 for bearing good crops of Indian corn ; unless the ground 

 be well warmed and mellowed, by suitable manurings, &c. 

 Some of the dry, redish, and dark-colored kinds, however, 

 answer well for this grain, as well as for almost every 

 other growth. In general, loams are a good wheat-soil, 

 unless where they are too wet; and even their wetness 

 may be remedied by hollow-draining. 

 See that article. 



A loamy soil will pay, as well as any other, for what 

 manure is given it, if it be of the right kind. 

 See MANURES. 



It is also much easier prepared for crops, than that of 

 which we shall next speak ; and, although loams are, very 

 various in quality, and in fertility, in general it may be said, 

 that tracts of this soil will usually be found to contain much 

 good farming-lands. 



The clayey soil, is the most compact and retentive of 

 any, and, on account of its alumine, has the singular qual- 

 ity of contracting when dried, and expanding again when 

 moistened, as we have before mentioned. Probably the 

 presence of this primitive earth, in this soil, is principally 

 what serves to distinguish it from the more adhesive and 

 compact loams. 



Clay is an unpleasant soil to cultivate, for any hoed crops ; 

 and for those which are cultivated, solely with the plough, 

 more skill, as well as more labor, is requisite in preparing 

 this ground for the reception of seed. 

 See FALLOWING, &c. 



To prepare a soil of this description for bearing a crop 

 requires, on an average, at least double the expense that 

 is necessary for light sandy soils. Clays are, however, 

 strong and durable soils, and, when well cultivated, produce 

 largely of such crops as are most suitable to them. These 

 are, principally, wheat, where the soil is not too wet, 

 barley, oats, beans, peas, vetches, flax, &c. beside several 

 sorts of natural and artificial grasses. 



Rye is not so natural to clay. Indian corn, and the 

 various kinds of root-crops, do not flourish in this soil, 

 unless they are powerfully assisted by suitable manures. 



Clay, however, by long cultivation, and frequent manur- 

 ings, in a great measure loses its original character 5 that 



