344 Correspondence — Mr. W. C. Lucy, 



which tend to neutralize the waste of land now going on from sub- 

 aerial causes. 



1st, The formation of vegetable soil, often difficult to account for, 

 the depth in some cases being much greater than in others, and ap- 

 parently without an assignable cause. ^ 



I have often observed on the grass table-land of the Cotswold 

 range, where valleys intervene so as to prevent soil being washed 

 from a higher elevation, that there is a tendency to an increased 

 depth of soil rather than to a diminution, and I think the same is 

 the case with all pasture -land. I have lately seen an instance of 

 how quickly grass will spring up and form turf in an occupation 

 road, which was made about six years since, on a common in the In- 

 ferior Oolite, left perfectly bare, and covered with broken stone, 

 which is now grassed over. Of course there is no carriage traffic 

 upon it. 



In woods there is often a considerable thickness of soil, arising 

 from the decomposition of leaves ; and, I believe, the decay of grass- 

 roots, the manure from the cattle which graze upon the grass, fully 

 if not more than neutralizes the soil which is carried away on per- 

 manent pasture ground, by rain. We know also that the surface of 

 the soil is increased by the enormous deposits of coprolites and guano. 



2nd. The quantity of different matter returned to the soil mainly 

 in the form of manure is very considerable. In 1867 there were in 

 the United Kingdom 11,431,940 acres of land planted Math grain, 

 and I estimate the produce to have been 10,087,931 tons, and in 

 addition 14,217,941 tons of straAv. There were also 1,493,762 acres 

 under potatoes, 2,805,775 under turnips, mangolds, carrots, beet, etc., 

 and 630,878 rape and colza. Of clover and other grasses the 

 acreage was 5,648,425 acres, and permanent pasture 22,128,391 

 acres. At present I have not sufficient information to allow of my 

 calculating the produce of the green crops. From the Government 

 returns I find that there were imported in 1867, not including lin- 

 seed oil-cake, and cotton seed, which are not given, of wheat, flour, 

 barley, oats, maize, rye, buckwheat, peas, and beans, 3,117,140 tons. 



I am fully aware that these figures do not accurately represent the 

 addition to the soil, that the imports of 3,117,140 tons are taken 

 away from other countries, and it is necessary to consider what 

 amount the grain, grass, roots, "etc., would produce in feeding the 

 upwards of 46,770,000 cattle, sheep, and pigs in the United King- 

 dom, and which again must be converted to form part of the food of 

 our people before it is returned to the land. Some allowance would 

 have to be made for the amount subtracted from the soil in growing 

 the grain, grass, and roots. 



These figures may, however, enable an approximate estimate to 

 be formed, and my object in writing has been to supply information 

 of rather a special nature, which those who have studied denudation 

 more attentively than I have, can appropriate for the benefit of aU. 

 Claremont House, Gloucester, "\Y'. Q. Lucy. 



1 Mr. Jukes, in his Manual, remarks that vegetable soil has not received the 

 attention it merits. 



