j4 SOILS. 



constitution, when they may be divided, for all necessary pur- 

 poses, into two classes the stiff or strong, denominated clays: 

 the light or free, subdivided into the sandy, gravelly and 

 peaty: and all three again may be distinguished, 1. according 

 to their power of production, when they are termed rich or 

 poor; and 2. according to their habitual relation with respect 

 to moisture, when they are termed wet or dry. The fer- 

 tility will also, in a great measure, depend upon the relative 

 proportion of the primitive earths, as they must be in combi- 

 nation to ensure a good soil. 



Soils that abound with, or partake of clay, marl, mud, or 

 sand, which are high or low, dry or humid, strong or light, of 

 which the staple has more or less depth, are all capable of 

 useful production, but they demand a different cultivation the 

 one from the other, in order to gain the products which each 

 species will, or is able to yield. The tillage, manure, seeds, 

 and the seasons proper for the different operations they re- 

 quire, are among tl'e ol-jccls which the cultivator ought to un- 

 derstand/" It is- only by experiments made upon the spot itself, 

 and without regarding the ancient methods, too generally fol- 

 lowed in every country, that he will be able to discover the 

 truth. In that design he will succeed well, and even beyond 

 his expectation if he multiplies his essays in every kind of 

 culture, by adopting and following only that which he finds 

 the best from his own experience. 



The fertility of soils is indicated by the greater or smaller 

 proportion of mould which enters into their composition. 

 When soils are thus naturally fertile, or are rendered per- 

 manently so by art, they are frequently termed loams: thus, 

 there are clayey loams and sandy loams; and peat itself may, 

 by the application of labour and art, be converted into loam. 



The parts of plants which grow upon the surface, and are 

 mixed with the mineral matter of the soil, may decompose and 

 become mould. Under certain circumstances, however, the 

 plants which have grown upon the surface do not decompose, 

 but undergo a peculiar change, which fits them to resist decom- 

 position. They are converted into peat, and the soils formed 

 of this substance are termed peaty. The peaty soils are distin- 

 guished from all others by their great diversity, as well as by 

 their peculiar characters. 



SUB-SOILS are distinguished from soils, properly so termed, 

 by the absence of mould. Plants when growing may extend 

 their roots into the sub-soil, and decomposing there be mixed 

 with it. But this is in small quantity, and for the most part 



* Arthur Young, Esq. 



