KINDS Ol'' SOILS. }t): 



Clay w impaltmble matters. Sand. 



Satul " 0—10 90—100 



The percent:vge composition above given applies to 

 the dri/ soil, and must be received with great allowance, 

 since the transition from fine sand to impalj^able matter 

 not physically distinguishable from clay, is an iinporcep- 

 tible one, and therefore not well admitting of nice discrim- 

 ination. 



It is furthermore not to be doubted that the difference 

 between a clayey soil and a loamy soil depends more on 

 the form and intimacy of admixture of the ingredients, 

 than upon their relative proportions, so that a loam may 

 exist Avliicli contains less sand than some clayey soils. 



Calcareous or Lime Soils are those in which carbonate 

 of lime is a predominating or characteristic ingredient. 

 They are recognizable by effervescing vigorously when 

 drenched with an acid. Strong vinegar answers for test- 

 ing them. They are not uncommon in Europe, but in this 

 country are comparatively rare. In the Northern and 

 Middle States, calcareous soils scarcely occur to an extent 

 worthy uf mention. 



While lime soils exist containing 75° |„ and more of car- 

 bonate of limo, this ingredient is in general subordinate 

 to sand and clay, and we have therefore calcareous sands^ 

 calcareous clays, or calcareous loams. 



!>Iarls are mixtures of clay or clayey matters, with finely- 

 divided carbonate of lime, in something like equal propor- 

 tions.* 



Peat or Swamp Muck is humus resulting from decayed 



* In Nuw .Tursey, green sand marl, or marl gimply, 13 tlie name applied to the 

 green sand emi)l<)yed as a fertilizer. Shell marl is a uame desijjnatiug nearly 

 pure carbonate of lime found in swamps. 



