6$ 



Tab. cccxxxvl 



Moulds. 



I HE genius of our country, often so happily exerted iti 

 agricultural pursuits, has yet much to do in regard to one 

 of the first sources of vegetation; I mean the Mineral 

 Kingdom or Department, which assists vegetation, the link 

 of life, and support of the Animal Kingdom. The example 

 of old ground not requiring manuring is not common. 

 I am glad here to show one in the upper figure, which re- 

 presents Mould from Wilson field near High Wycomb, 

 Bucks, which produces regularly fine crops of wheat with- 

 out manure, and had so done for eighteen years in June 

 1801, when Mr. Allen gave me the specimen. It may be 

 remarked, that among some hundred kinds which T have 

 examined, I have not seen one exactly resembling it, and 

 therefore I presume to hope that external characters may 

 be of more importance in this subject than has hitherto 

 been suspected. It is evidently mixed with Chalk in little 

 pieces. The Silex seems to be in very small grains held 

 together by common Clay and vegetable Mould. 



The right hand figures are from Orcheston St. Mary, about 

 two miles from Salisbury, famous for producing extraor- 

 dinary crops of Long grass. Excluding the small bed of 

 loose pebbles, which is a common washed gravel found 

 beneath, I have figured the Mould as it is immediately 

 connected with the roots of the plants, an inch or two in 

 depth. Tt seems to be fine sand, held together by Clay 

 mixed with fine dirty Chalk and vegetable remains, some 

 parts full of roots, and others more detached and easily 

 separated. Its situation allows of much water occasionally, 



