AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 209 



in the latter season, there are fev/ opportunities of perform- 

 ing other labors of the field. 



' Previously to marling, the land ought to be diligently 

 cleared from all weeds, and rendered level, both with the 

 brake and the common harrow, so that the marl may be 

 equally spread on the surface, where it should be suffered to 

 lie during the winter. In the month of February, [March, 

 or April,] and in dry weather, it will be proper to draw a 

 bush-harrow, well weighted, over the land, that the marl 

 may be uniformly distributed; but, as this manure is very 

 ponderous, and sinks to the bottom of the furrow, if injudi- 

 ciously ploughed in, it has been suggested to turn it into an 

 ebb-furroiD for the first crop : during the growth of the latter, 

 the marl will incorporate with and become a part of the 

 soil, from which it does not readily separate. So perma- 

 nent, indeed, are its fertilizing properties, that if land be pro- 

 perly marled, it will continue arable for the space of twelve 

 or fourteen years ; and, for pasture, during a much longer 

 period. 



' A good artificial marl may be prepared by mixing equal 

 quantities of pure clay and lime, in alternate layers, so as to 

 form a heap, which should be exposed to the winter frost : 

 this compound is well calculated for light lands ; but if the 

 soil be strong and heavy, it will be necessary to substitute 

 loam and sand for the clay. Such compositions may be 

 usefully employed where marl is not easily procured; as 

 they will amply repay the labor bestowed on mixing them, 

 being little inferior to the genuine calcareous earth.' — Domes- 

 tic Encyclopedia. 



An English writer on agriculture observes that 'whoever 

 finds marl finds a mine of great value. It is one of the best 

 and most general manures in nature ; proper for all soils, 

 and particularly so for clay.' It is usually found under 

 moss or peat, in low sunken lands, and especially nigh the 

 sea or large rivers. It has been sometimes discovered by 

 ant-hills, as those insects bring up small pieces of shells from 

 their holes. 



Peat is a well known substance, used both for manure and 

 for fuel. In its natural state peat is of but little or no ser- 

 vice as manure, but by exposing it to the effects of fermenta- 

 tion it becomes very useful as food for plants. In its unfer- 

 mented state it contains a considerable quantity of tannin, 

 which is a powerful astringent, resisting all approaches to 

 putrefaction ; and is impregnated with acids injurious to 

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