Soil-Makers 31 



The soil of the chalk downs is hke that of the granite 

 table-lands in one respect, that it is derived chiefly from 

 the rock beneath, and has had little advantage of inter- 

 mixture with others; but — and this makes a vast differ- 

 ence — the underlying chalk absorbs water readily, like a 

 sponge, so that bogs have no chance of forming. The 

 downs grow excellent pasture, and are especially adapted 

 for sheep-farming; but if people will plow up the soft fine 

 herbage of nature's providing and try to grow corn and 

 turnips instead, they must not be surprised if they get 

 poor crops in return for much labor. 



Most of the richest soils of the world have been mixed, 

 either by the work of rivers, or by that of other laborers 

 to be considered by and by. And besides being mixed, 

 they have in many cases been transported from situations 

 where they were comparatively useless, to others where 

 their good qualities can be turned to the best account. 



The richest soil in the world is of little use on a lofty 

 mountaintop, for none but lowly plants can stand the cold 

 and exposure, and anything to be called luxuriant vege- 

 tation is impossible. 



But in numberless instances soil has been brought 

 down from the mountains, where it must have been com- 

 paratively unproductive; it has been mixed and prepared, 

 and finally spread out in extensive fields ready made to the 

 farmer's hand, in situations where his crops can have the 

 warmth and moisture which are essential to them. 



It certainly does appear perverse, therefore, that men 

 should persist in trying to grow crops where they seem 

 plainly meant to feed their sheep; and that they should 

 want to plow up moors and deer-forests which could never 

 make productive fields, when by long and most elaborate 



