152 ON MANURES, AND THEIR 



where one formation lies north or south of another on 

 the map, we may conchitie that the detritus of the 

 most northerly one has been swept southerly, or south- 

 easterly, for several miles beyond the boundaries of the 

 rock ; and in few cases does the dividing line between 

 two formations so exactly coincide with the direction 

 of the diluvial current, that there is no overlapping and 

 intermingling of the soil. Where the formations are 

 limited and irregular, the soil of whole townships is of 

 so mixed and uncertain a character, that it is hardly 

 possible to refer it to any of the above divisions ; as, for 

 example, in Amherst, Ludlow, and several of the towns 

 in Plymouth county. In such cases, it might perhaps 

 be convenient to call the soil diluvial ; but I have not 

 thought it important to introduce such a variety, since 

 it can have no constant characters, and since this diffi- 

 culty is of so limited a nature. In all such cases it is 

 better to regard the soil as a compound of detritds, from 

 the rocks lying in the vicinity to the northward. 



ON MANURES, AND THEIR APPLICATION TO THE SOIL. 



There is much difference of opinion among our 

 farmers as to the best mode of applying their manures, 

 and this arises in some degree from the difference in 

 their soil, and the difference in seasons. 



In wet seasons we lose but little by placing them 

 near the surface and covering them with the harrow : 

 in dry seasons we wish them buried deeper ; but, as we 

 cannot possibly tell what the season will be, we must 

 use our best skill and judgment. 



A writer in a late paper commends the practice of 

 placing manures on the surface in all cases. Another 

 writer, last week, strenuously insisted on ploughing 

 them in at least one foot deep. He says, make one 

 acre rich first, then take another, until you go through 

 the whole. 



