117 



The first point which characterises all these soils is their deficiency 

 in sulphates, and perhaps also in common salt, although the latter is 

 present in larger traces than the former. Sulphates are absolutely 

 essential to the growth of cereal crops, and may be supplied as a 

 manure either in the form of gypsum, of glauber salts (sulphate of 

 soda) or in guano. If gypsum can easily be obtained in your locality 

 it might be advantageously tried. 



No. I. contains in tolerable abundance all the constituents essential 

 to fertility except sulphates and common salt. You will know by 

 practical experience whether there be sufficient alumina (clay) to give 

 proper tenacity to the soil. 



No. II. is deficient in soda, which might be supplied by salt or 

 sulphate of soda, as the sulphates are deficient. The phosphoric acid 

 is present in very small quantity, and ought to be supplied copiously, 

 either in the form of stable manure, bone earth, or guano, as best 

 suits the physical condition of the soil. 



No. III. is deficient in magnesia, and also in lime. The magnesia 

 is often advantageously added by throwing a small quantity of sulphate 

 of magnesia (Epsom salts) into the stable, night-soil, or other manures 

 used. This saline manure has been used in Yorkshire under similar 

 circumstances with success. A limestone containing several per cent, 

 of magnesia would, however, be a safer addition, and attended with less 

 trouble, as both lime and magnesia are required. The soil requires good 

 working, as it contains so much organic matter as to reduce the peroxide 

 of iron (iron rust) into the protoxide of iron, which is highly poisonous to 

 plants. Good working and exposure to air is the only means of over- 

 coming this evil. 



No. IV. is not calculated at j)resent for the crops containing alkalies 

 without the copious use of manures containing these ingredients. Both 

 the potash and soda are very deficient. They may be supplied in wood 

 ashes, the nitrates of potash and soda, stable manure, guano, &c., or with 

 the addition of some of the first to the latter manures. This soil is also 

 very deficient in phosphates. 



No. V. I understand to be the upper soil, and No. VI. to be the sul)- 

 soil of the same field. The upper soil is very deficient in alumina, which 

 trenching the subsoil would supply. One precaution should, however, be 

 observed. The subsoil contains a considerable quantity of iron, which in 

 the specimen sent to me is princijjally in the favourable state for trench- 

 ploughing (as peroxide), but as this might have changed by exposure 

 to the air, I wish you would send me by post a small quantity — 



