FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 207 



nently to improve the soils to which they are applied. Stiff 

 loams are also in the same way assisted by sand, and sand 

 again by these ; but neither in so great a degree as in the 

 former case. Generally, it may be observed, that all light 

 dry soils are improved by being mixed with heavy earths ? 

 and 'vice "versa. 



Sand and fine gravel will greatly fertilize the soil of bog- 

 meadows, and this earth again is a very good manure for 

 all upland soils. It is peculiarly excelent for Indian corn 5 

 when applied to the hills, and is very good for flax, hemp, 

 and most other Summer-crops. Like gypsum, it is friendly 

 to the growth of white- clover. When applied to upland 

 grasses, it should be laid on as a top-dressing. Every kind 

 of black mud, from ponds and swamps, answers a somewhat- 

 similar purpose ; though, if the mud be stiff and clayey, it 

 should only be applied to a light dry soil. 



The different sorts of marie found in bogswamps are also 

 excelent manures for all upland soils. These earths are usu- 

 ally found at the depth of from one to three feet from the 

 surface, and are either of a white, gray, or brownish color. 

 The former is the most efficacious, and the latter the least 

 so; their strength being in proportion to the quantity of car- 

 bonate of lime they contain. It is best to mix these earths 

 with the mass of black earth, or bogdirt, that forms the up- 

 per stratum, in order to reduce their strength; and, when 

 thus mixed, a load of even the weakest kind is more effica- 

 cious than two of common barn-dung. 



Their operation as manures is similar to that of the No- 

 vascotia gypsum, having little or no effect when first appli- 

 ed to wheat, and rye ; but, by its afterwards covering the 

 ground with a thick growth of white-clover, it is then ren- 

 dered fit tor producing largely of these crops. The same 

 may be observed of the bogdirt. Like this, too, these 

 marles are peculiarly excelent for Indian corn, and all 

 Summer- grain, and a less quantity is sufficient. They may 

 be used as top-dressings, or otherwise. 



The upland marles are good manures for sandy, gravelly, 

 and other dry soils. They are also valuable in proportion 

 to the quantity of carbonate of lime they contain. Mr. 

 Young' mentions the tract of country lying between Holkam 

 and Houghten, in England, having been converted into 

 good farming-lands, which formerly were so light and poor 

 as to be kept only for Sheepwalks. This was effected by 

 diging up the marie, which was found to lie at some depth 

 underneath, and manuring the soil with it, at the rate of 

 about one hundred loads to the acre. 



This kind of marie is merely a clay, with sometimes a 

 mixture of fine sand ; having a greater or less proportion 

 of carbonate of lime in it ; and the more the better. It is 



