Oi - SOILS. 



cattle, nor fed clo^e by any creature in the s]1rin^. A 

 clay soil receives but little benefit from the grass, an J 

 when once suiTered to decline it is difficult to restore it. 



Fruit trees in general do n; t flourish well in a clay* 

 soil. Roots of various kinds will not be so good. The 

 soil does not suffer the roots to expand in quest of nour- 

 'ishment. 



All clay soils are unpleasant to cultivate with the hoe, 

 though such a crop will mix the sand sooner and cheap- 

 er than any other methods ; and those which are culti- 

 vated solely ivith the plough, require more skill, and 

 perhaps double the expense that are necef^sary on a 

 light, sandy sell. But when their natural toughness is 

 subdued they produce abundantly of such crops as are 

 suited to them, and by their durability will repay the 

 kiboui' bestowed. 



I.OAMY SOIL. 



Loam is a combination of clay and sand, some are de- 

 nonJnated clayey, from the excess of that matter, oth- 

 ers open and light, from the preponderance of sand. In 

 fiicA^ these tvvo original ingredients seem capable of be- 

 irig ccmpounded in such an infinite variety of ways, as 

 io give occa-ion to that diversified texture of soils met 

 with in all countries end situations ; and are contrived 

 to counteract each other''s qualities, that by their union, 

 they might furnish the basis of that beautiful and splen- 

 did creation of (lov/ers and plants, of shrubs and trees, 

 which decorate the face of nature, an<l charm us by a 

 sweet assemblage of all that is gay and soft in colouring, 

 with all that is elegant and attractive in design. 



Loams being a medium between ligiit and stiiT soils, 

 are the most desirable of all others to cultivate. They 

 uro ploughed with greater facility than clay; they are 

 peculiarly well adapted for the convertible husbandry; 

 forthey can be altered, not only without injury, but gen- 

 erally with benelit, from grass to tillage, and frcm tillage 

 to grass. 



A mellow, rich, crumbling sandy loam, such as will 

 admit tillage soon afier rain; adhesive enough to fear 

 no draught, and friable enough to strain off superfluous 

 moisture, and to admit the librous roots of plants ; if in- 

 cumbent on a sand subsoil, is the most profitable of all 



