49 



CHAPTER IV. 



idications of Fertility (continued) The Subsoil Geological Position of Soils 

 affecting Fertility Geological Knowledge to be used with Caution 

 Geologically Recent Soils. 



HAVE endeavoured to explain the difference between the 

 nditions of fertility in soils and those indications of fertility 

 hich actually are the basis of land valuation, or, to speak 

 ore correctly, the grounds upon which the land-valuer 

 ives at his conclusions as to the quality, if not the value, 

 of land. And in comparing the conditions of fertility in soil 

 and the indications of fertility, I mentioned that the latter 

 ere evident to the senses ; that is to say, that the contour 

 f the landscape, the character of the trees and of vegetable 

 owth of all descriptions, as well as the colour, depth, and 

 ther peculiarities of the soil, all came under the head of 

 dications of fertility. But there are some indications of 

 ertility which are not recognizable by the senses, as, for 

 xample, the composition of the soil as arrived at in the 

 laboratory. The analysis of the soil I look upon as an indi- 

 cation one out of many of the comparative fertility of 

 the soil. Another indication which is only apparent to 

 the instructed mind is that which is afforded by geological 

 position. An analysis forms, when viewed intelligently, 

 one, and the geological horizon or the geological position 

 orms another indication, which ought not to be lost sight of. 

 nth these two exceptions, the remainder chiefly appeal to 

 he five senses. 



E 



