18 Soil. 



vel, Clay, Ghalk, Peat, Alluvial Soil, Marsh Land, 

 and Loam, or that species of artificial soil, into which the 

 others are generally brought, by the effects of manure, and 

 of earthy applications, in the course of long cultivation ( 48 ). 



While describing each sort, we shall briefly state the 

 modes of improving their texture; the crops for which 

 they are respectively calculated ; and the districts where 

 they are cultivated with the greatest success. 



1. Sand. A soil that consists entirely of small grains of 

 a siliceous nature, which neither cohere, nor are softened by 

 water, nor soluble in acids, though it ought not to be totally 

 abandoned ( 49 ), yet is too poor to be cropped with advantage. 

 The cultivation of such a soil would indeed be hazardous in 

 the extreme, from the risk of having it blown off the new- 

 sown grain, in the spring, by high winds ( 5 ). Sandy soils, 

 however, generally have a considerable mixture of other sub- 

 stances, by which their quality is greatly ameliorated. 



The best mode of improving the texture of such a soil, 

 deficient in retentive or adhesive properties, is, by a mixture 

 of clay, marie, warp (the sediment of navigable rivers), sea- 

 ooze, sea-shells, peat, or vegetable earth ; and it frequently 

 happens, that under the sand itself, or in its immediate 

 neighbourhood, the materials may be found which are re- 

 quisite for its improvement ( 5I ). Even light sandy soils, are 

 thus rendered retentive of moisture and manure ; and, when 

 judiciously treated, are considered to be more profitable, 

 than the wheat and bean lands in their neighbourhood ( 5z ). 



In some parts of Norfolk, the farmers have availed them- 

 selves of these auxiliaries, for improving a sandy soil, in an 

 eminent degree. They have thus entirely changed the na- 

 ture of the soil; and by the continuation of judicious ma- 

 nagement, have given a degree of fame to the husbandry of 

 that district, far surpassing that of others naturally more fer- 

 tile^ 3 ). 



The improvement of a sandy soil, is generally accom- 

 plished by fossil manures ; but vegetable substances are 

 likewise of great service. A top-dressing of peat has been 

 tried for that purpose, and the experiment was attended, not 

 only with immediate good effects, but with permanent be- 

 nefit ( 54 ). 



Though sandy soils are not naturally valuable, yet being 

 easily cultivated, and well calculated for sheep, that most 

 profitable species of stock, they are often farmed with ad- 

 vantage. Where the land is hilly, rabbits are frequently 

 kept, for that animal can easily throw down the light soil. 



