CALCAREOUS MANURES— APPENDIX. (93 



" It was once askoil ol (lie editor by a very good practical Norfolk fanner, ' whether land 

 whirh hfd li'-eii once marled and worn out woui'l receive the same benefit from a second 

 marling?' it wa^ answered, that an experiment made on one field, or on one acre, 

 would decide the point, but conjecture led to nut/dng conclusive. It has o(ten been ob- 

 served that loose land, after having been marled and out cropped, deposited its marl in 

 the subsoil, v.'hich therefore became more retentive [of water;] and it has been sug- 

 gested, that deep ploughing ought to be tried, to bring this marl again I0 the top. We 

 hope that the point here in question has before now been settled by [)ractice in both 

 ways; though at the above period, (about 1S06,) such iacts had not reached the gentle- 

 man alluded to, although a very intelligent man.'" 



The singular fact stated above, of marl, and also of lime, sinking and 

 forming a layer below the soil, is stated by other British writers. No such 

 result has been found in this country, so far as I am informed. Nor do 1 

 believe that it can occur, except when the calcareous matter is too abun- 

 dant to form a chemical combination with the soil, or with the matters in 

 the soil. According to my views of the manner in wrhich calcareous earth 

 acts, it must form such combination in the soil, to be useful— and if so 

 coinbined, it cannot be separated, and sink through the soil by the force of 

 gravity, or any other cause. 



32. The next article is probably one of the latest publications on marl, 

 yet contains as little of truth, and for its length, as much that is false and 

 absurd, as if it had been written a century ago. It appeared (in English) 

 in the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, (for Dec. 1834,) and is there 

 quoted from the Magazine of Gardening and Botany, and as written by 

 Count Gyllenbotg. As no contradictory remarks are appended by either 

 of the editors of these highly respectable journals, it may be considered 

 as in some measure giving their countenance to the opinions here pre- 

 sented. 



Though the writer speaks of " acid in the land," yet the succeeding part 

 of the sentence, which speaks of "imbibing it from stagnating water," shows 

 that no correct or definite idea was attached to the term "acid." The 

 entire piece is copied. 



" How far marl contrihites to the fertility of soils, 1st. Not materially, for it is devoid 

 of every unctuous and saline matter. 2d. But instruraentally it promotes vegetation, 

 by attracting the moisture, acids or oils in the atmosphere, which enrich the land. As 

 this quality becomes stronger by burning, how wisely would the farmers act in using it 

 after being calcined. It promotes vegetation, by destroying the acid actually in the 

 land, or removing that which it might be in danger of imbibing from stagnating water, 

 and hence, also, it may perhaps help to prevent a too acid disposition in the seeds. By 

 dissolving every unctuous substance in the land, whence arises a saponaceous mixture 

 soluble in water, and fitted to enter into the pores of vegetables. By destroying the 

 toughness of strong soils, for, by its quickly crumbling in the air, the cohesion of a 

 clayey soil is diminished, it is rendered easier to cultivate, and more fit to carry on the 

 growth of plants. It gives greater solidity and firmness to loose or sandy soils ; and, as 

 before observed, it contributes to their fertility, by attracting into this dry soil the nutri- 

 tive contents of the air. There are some who think tliat marl should not be laid on 

 sandy soils ; but experience has taught us to conclude otiierwise, having observed that 

 the most beneficial effects are produced from it on very light and sandy soils. Marl 

 may hurt land by too long and a too plentiful use of it; for, from its calcareous quality, 

 it much resembles lime. It soon dissolves and consumes the fat of the land — and it 

 loosens a clayey soil, so that it becomes less retentive of moisture. Marl is, however, 

 very different, according to its being more or less calcareous or clayey ; and therefore 

 judgment is more or less necessary to adapt it to the nature of the soil. Some have re- 

 commended it chiefly for wet and cold soils, and many farmers have observed that it is 

 most useful when mixed with rich manures. Neither of these observations, however, 

 seems to be correct ; but a due care should be taken that this manure be adai)ted to the 

 soil on which it is laid." 



