SOILS. 1 1 



the formation of a proper soil, nor trust entirely to 

 the force of dungs, were they even to be had in the 

 greatest plenty ; for dungs, by too free an applica- 

 tion, have an effect on the quality of esculents not 

 altogether salutary. 



Wherefore, that our efforts may be attended with 

 success, let us bestow a moderate and prudent ex- 

 pence in the first outset, on composing or so impro- 

 ving the soil to be appropriated to this purpose, as 

 that, in our best judgment, it may fully answer the 

 intention. 



In many cases, the soil of the garden might be 

 improved, in a very considerable degree, at a small 

 expence. Thus, where the bottom is wet, and the 

 subsoil of a cankering nature, by judicious drain- 

 ing, which is certainly one of the greatest improve- 

 ments in this case ; where the soil is stubborn, by 

 the addition of small gravel, sea sand, wherein is a 

 considerable quantity of small pebbles and shells,coal- 

 ashes, lime-gravel, pounded brick-bats, brick-kiln 

 ashes, &c. and, above all, by being carefully laid up 

 in ridges in the winter months, and indeed at all 

 times when not in crop, in such a manner as to give 

 the greatest extent of surface for the weather to act 

 upon ; where the soil is a poor sand or gravel, 

 by the addition of clay, or strong clayey loam, 

 scourings of ditches which run through a clayey 

 subsoil, pond-mud in a like situation, or scrapings 

 of roads which lie in a clayey district, &c. 



Soils that abound with metallic substances, and 

 which generally make them appear of an iron colour, 

 are termed foxbent or till These substances are 



