Ill SITUATION AND SOIL 49 



Some very fertile soils may be found on the lower 

 chalk or marl formation, particularly on the edge 

 of the greensand. Hitchin would be a case in 

 point, where Mr. E. B. Lindsell has for some years 

 grown the best amateur H.P.s, and where Messrs. 

 Harkness and Sons have endeavoured, if possible, 

 to better even their Yorkshire fame. 



Sand. — This may be considered in itself to be the 

 worst soil of all, but where it occurs in the green- 

 sand from sandy rocks, strong loam is probably to 

 be had within carting distance, and almost all the 

 really sandy part being taken right away to the 

 depth of two feet, good Teas at least might probably 

 be grown in well-made beds in such a place. But 

 in sands like that to be found at the seaside, or as 

 the " blowing " sands on the Norfolk and Suffolk 

 border near Thetford, where thick belts of firs have 

 to be planted to prevent one man's crop, and field 

 too, being actually blown away to his neighbour, 

 I fear the Eosarian must stifle his impulses, change 

 his object of worship, and devote himself, according 

 to the extent of his holding, to hyacinths or 

 partridges. 



