Soil. 31 



nured, will yield great crops ( I03 ). It is found well adapted 

 for the dairy in Cheshire ( l04 ). 



4. Calcareous loams have chalk for their basis, and are 

 admirably calculated for the production of sainfoin. 



5. Peat, in some of its varieties, may likewise be converted 

 by culture, into a species of black soft loam, and in that 

 state, it becomes highly fertile and productive. 



6. A hazel loam, is a mixture of various soils, which as- 

 sumes a brownish colour, and is reckoned uncommonly fer- 

 tile. 



Rich loams, besides the other crops usually cultivated in 

 this country, will produce hemp and flax in the greatest per- 

 fection and abundance ; and in such loams, where the sub- 

 soil is both dry and open, lucerne might be more generally 

 grown than it is, in preference to other grasses, and would 

 prove greatly superior in produce, to what are called per- 

 manent pastures ( IOS ). 



General Remarks on Soils. 



Before the subject of soil is dismissed, there are some 

 miscellaneous particulars which merit attention ; as, 1. The 

 means of ascertaining the composition of soils ; 2. The nature 

 of mould, so essential for their fertility ; 3. Their colour ; 

 4. The importance of cultivating good soils; 5. The necessity 

 of keeping them in a fertile state; 6. The advantages of a deep 

 soil; and,, 7. The general principles on which their improve- 

 ment may be effected. 



1. That the most efficient methods for improving soils 

 may be adopted, it is necessary that their composition should 

 be known. A distinguished philosopher has suggested u 

 plan for that purpose, which can easily be carried into effect, 

 by any person at all conversant in chemical researches ( Io6 ). 

 The generality of farmers, however, have not the means of 

 entering into such researches ; yet they are able, by observa- 

 tion and experience, to discover the most important deficien- 

 cies of the soil they cultivate. This may be effected, by com- 

 paring their own soils with each other, and with the most 

 fertile in their immediate neighbourhood. The great object 

 they ought to keep in view is, to render a soil capable of re- 

 ceiving, and retaining such a due quantity of moisture, as 

 may be sufficient to nourish the vegetables that grow in it, 

 and, by proper drainage, to procure the means of throwing 

 off any superfluous water that might prove injurious ( I0? ). 



2. Mould principally arises, from the decomposition of 

 the roots and leaves of vegetables, on grass land, and the 



