294 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



I. The Chalk Plain of SALiSBrRY. 



A project of multiple interests linking up different subjects of study. 



Forces of nature and man are reflected in every part of Salisbury Plain. The 

 fact that Salisbury Plain is of a chalk formation has influenced the resultant of these 

 forces to a very large degree. 



The study of the essential properties of the Chalk Plain — through the medium 

 of geology and soil study — will explain how the chalk formation has influenced 

 History and Literature, Economics, Agriculture and other features of the Plain. 



Geology of Salisbury Plain. 



Some special features emphasised in class and field work :— 



1 . Chalk — -three divisions : 



Upper, chalk with many flints. 



Middle, chalk with few flints (pervious). 



Lower, chalk marl, i.e. chalk and clay (impervious). 



2. Scenic features — chalk escarpment caused by change from Middle to Lower 

 chalk : 



Springs at the junction (Upper, Middle, Lower). 



Characteristic rolling surface — dry valleys — thin soil, because chalk almost all 

 calcium carbonate, therefore few trees and fine grasses, and characteristic chalk- 

 loving plants and animal life. 



Where Upper chalk is covered by a deeper soil (remains of tertiary deposits) 

 heavier vegetation, including beech trees, characteristic. (William Cobbett's ' Rural 

 Rides ' bring these and other points into prominence in a most interesting fashion. ) 



3. Origin of chalk from marine deposits. 



4. Presence of flints^their connexion with the Stone Age and their value in 

 the draining properties of the soil. 



5. Origin of springs and their relation to position of farmsteads, and position of 

 hamlets, etc. 



Chemistry and Physics,- and Biology of the Chalk Soil, and of Chalk. 



Some features emphasised in class and field work : — 



1. Elementary properties of chalk soil (chemical, physical, and biological). 



This provides excellent material for work in laboratory and in the field, and at the 

 same time demonstrates very clearly the principles underlying the system of farming 

 as practised on the Plain. 



2. Pure chemistry of calcium carbonate, oxide, hydroxide, and bi-carbonate leads 

 to hardness of water, difficulty of maintaining water cultures of certain protozoa, 

 and other micro-organisms where alkalinity is harmful, etc. 



The study involved under (1) Geology, (2) Chemistry, Physics, and Biology of 

 chalk soil has an important bearing on the History, and Literature, Agriculture, 

 Economics, and Natural History, because the study brings at least two fundamental 

 facts, viz. : — 



(«) The Plain has long been suitable for human habitations. 

 (6) The soil is fertile when well cultivated. 



In order to illustrate the connexion a portion of the outline of each syllabus is 

 given in the case of History and Agriculture. 



History. 



Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age — Celts and Romans, British on the Plain. 



Avebury, Stonehenge, Woodhenge, Battlebury, Scratchbury, Bratton, etc. 



Romans at strategic points, Saxons along the river banks. 



Succession of peoples at Old Sarum — -Danes at Edington (Bratton). 



Normans at Old Sarum, Devizes, etc. 



Sheep and corn gave prosperity, therefore churches and rise of towns, e.g. 

 Trowbridge. 



History of powerful families and of buildings — place names, etc. 



Literature : ' Rural Rides,' William Cobbett (Everyman's Series — most illumi- 

 nating) ; ' The Georgics,' Pepys, ' Coaching Days,' and many local histories. 



