CHAP. xiir. COMPOSITION OF WARP. 889 



ment, however, only applies to those lands which are sufficiently below 

 high-water mark ; where the level is higher, a longer time often from 

 two to three, or even sometimes four years is required." l 



The effect derived from warping differs greatly from that produced 

 by irrigation ; the former being simply the deposition of mud from 

 turbid water, by means of which a new soil of alluvial origin is formed. 

 During floods, and also in winter, this business entirely ceases. Its 

 tendency is not to manure, but to create soil ; hence the nature of the 

 land is a point of little moment, almost every soil, whether peat, sand, 

 bog, or clay, but especially light land, being benefited by the process ; 

 and yet, as warped land must be kept well drained, the porous nature 

 of peat and sand renders soils of this class best adapted for undergoing 

 the amelioration, and the former even more so than the latter. An 

 analysis of warp gave the following result 



Per cent. 

 Organic matter 7 '003 



Carbonate of lime 

 Carbonate of magnesia 

 Potash and soda 

 Lime 



Magnesia . 

 Peroxide of iron 

 Oxide of manganese . 

 Alumina 



9775 

 1-520 

 0-085 

 0-905 

 2-684 

 4-465 

 traces 

 4-494 

 0-092 

 68-778 



Perphosphate of iron 



Silicic acid (silica) 



Sulphate of lime evident traces 



A remarkable instance of the beneficial effects resulting from the 

 practice of warping occurred on the farm of Mr. Webster, of Bankside, 

 which contained 212 acres, and was entirely warped. As evidence of 

 the high value of this improvement, it may be stated, that he gave 111. 

 per acre for the land, for which he afterwards refused seventy pounds 

 per acre. His total expenses for sluices, banks, cloughs, &c., did not 

 exceed 2.500L, or 12L per acre; which may, indeed, be reduced to 

 1,OOOZ., or 51. per acre, as a neighbour below him offered 51. an acre 

 for the use of his sluice and main cut, to water 300 acres. Estimating 

 it, however, at the higher sum, 12Z., to this, the purchase-money, 11Z. 

 must be added, making the whole 23L per acre ; which, if he could 

 sell at 70Z., leaves a profit of forty-seven pounds per acre, neglecting 

 interest. 



Mr. Webster warped to various depths, from eighteen inches to two 

 feet, two feet and a half, &c. He had some moor land, which, pre- 

 viously to being warped, was worth only one shilling and sixpence per 

 acre, but was afterwards as good as the best land ; some of it let at 

 51. for flax or potatoes, and the whole at 50s. an acre. 



The practice of warping commences in the month of June, and is 

 carried on throughout the summer ; in fact, that is the only season 

 in which the improvement can go on. Consequently the agri- 

 culturist should avail himself of every aid, and keep his works in 



1 Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, Part I. vol. xi. 



