84 MARL. 



mixtures will greatly resemble the true calcareous 

 earth, and will repay the labor. 



I spoke above of spreading the marl in the spring, 

 but the proper time is in the summer, as the marl is 

 then very dry. The farmer, however, can use his 

 pleasure, and put it on the land even in winter, when 

 he has nothing else to do. 



The ground should be put in proper order before 

 the marl is spread upon it. All weeds should be ex- 

 terminated, and the ground rendered level by the use 

 of the harrow. This is necessary, because then the 

 marl may be equally spread over the soil, and have 

 an equal effect on every part of it. In the spring it 

 should be harrowed into the soil, but with great cau- 

 tion; as from its weight, it has a tendency to sink too 

 deep into the soil, and thus by falling in the furrow 

 made by improperly ploughing it in, its virtue is lost, 

 and the ignorant farmer condemns it as a valueless sub- 

 stance. The great object should be to incorporate the 

 marl thoroughly with the soil, so that it shall become 

 a part and parcel of it. In its thorough incorporation 

 with the soil lies all the benefit ; if it remain upon 

 the top, or in the furrow, the effects are but par- 

 tial. 



The quantity of marl which should be spread upon 

 land is another matter of importance. I would re- 

 commend too small a portion rather than too large, 

 as it is much more easy to add to than take from. On 

 a sandy soil a thick coat may be spread with safety, 



