SOILS IN LA SOLOGNE. 73 



(asperula cynanchica), and sheep's bit (jasione montana). After a 

 repose of several years, a green compact moss follows, which is con- 

 sidered an indication that it will now bear one or two crops of barley 

 without manure. Isolated plantations of chestnuts also succeed when 

 the ground is deep and damp enough, also the oak and birch, but 

 the maritime pine is most suitable. All the sapinieres, or fir planta- 

 tions, established in Sologne for the last twenty-five years have been 

 planted in such ground. 



" Clay Soil. — In Sologne sandy silicious soil covers the greatest 

 extent ; then comes clay, which is very diff"erent. When dry it 

 contracts, cracks, and is difiicult to work. When wet it is 

 impermeable, and forms an oily tough paste or clay, suitable for the 

 manufacture of tiles and bricks. These should not be made either 

 in very dry or very wet weather, but only at times of a certain degree 

 of dampness. Such soil is less easy to work than is sand ; it 

 requires stronger ploughs and more perfect implements. These 

 considerations made old fashioned farmers exclude it from the list of 

 arable soils. It is covered with oak woods and ponds, or is kept 

 as pasture for sheep. 



" The white oak easily becomes fit for exploitation, either as coppice 

 or as timber trees. If the clay is pure and compact the chhie rouvre, 

 or red oak, the variety chiefly grown in France, is to be preferred. 



" Clay soil produces a stronger and richer vegetation. The smaller 

 heaths being overtopped by the erica scoparia, vulgarly called 

 hremaille, which obtains the height of 1*50 metres. The dwarf whin 

 is also found (ulex nanus), some junipers and some grasses (molima 

 coerulea, agrostis vulgaris, and danthonia decumhens). Clay soils, al- 

 though more difficult to work, are more profitable than are sandy 

 ones ; when drained, limed, and well manured, they are neither too 

 hot nor too dry; the compost is not wasted, and it gives a good return. 



" At the same time where argilo-silicious soils, which are better for 

 cultivation, are to be had, clay soils should be wooded. The mari- 

 time pine will not thrive on it, the oak and pine should be chosen. 



"Soils Composed of Sand and Clay. — This class comprehends all 

 soils composed of mixtures of sand and clay, but such are rare in 

 Sologne, and this is unfortunate for its agricultural future. 



*' If in place of elementary soils, pure sand and pure clay, the soil 

 in Sologne were like the average ground in France, the farmer would 

 be more frequently successful. 



" The soils in Sologne are infinitely modified in composition ; and 

 then also modified through their connection with subterranean 



