Xlviii REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST. 



tained in them. There were, however, large deposits of greensand marl 

 adjacent to them, and its use has been of the highest benefit. This is 

 full j attested both by the agricultural and the geological reports of the 

 State. The late State Geologist, Prof. Geo. H. Cook, said of them: 



u It gives lasting fertility to the soils. I have never seen a field 

 which has once been marled that is now poor. One instance was found 

 where poor and sandy land was marled more than thirty years ago and 

 has ever since been tilled without manure, and not well managed, which 

 is still in good condition. Fruit trees and vines make a remarkable 

 growth and produce fruit of high flavor when liberally dressed with 

 this marl." 



This is testimony that can not be doubted, and although the green- 

 sand marls of East Texas are not as rich as those of New Jersey, they 

 are nevertheless rich enough to be of the same use to our lands. Nearly 

 two hundred thousand tons of greensand marls are used yearly in New 

 Jersey. 



The first requisite to the best results is that the marl should be pow- 

 dered as finely as possible before spreading it on the land. The green- 

 sand decomposes and is dissolved very slowly, and the finer it is 

 powdered the more rapid will be its action. It should also be spread 

 evenly and uniformly over the ground. It is ordinarily wet when first 

 dug, but after a certain amount of drying it can be easily pulverized, 

 or it can be dried more rapidly and rendered more friable by the mix- 

 ture of a small amount of quicklime with it It could also be improved 

 by composting it with barnyard manure or guano. Owing to the diffi- 

 culty with which the greensand is dissolved the effects are not always 

 so apparent the first year, but it is a lasting fertilizer, as is shown by 

 the quotations given above. 



The amount required will of course vary with the composition of the 

 soil and the quality of the greensand. From three to ten wagon loads 

 per acre would perhaps be the usual amount required, although some 

 soils might need even more. 



CALCAREOUS MARLS. 



Lime is already used to a large extent in agriculture, and will be 

 used more largely still. Its uses are to lighten clay soils and to make 

 sandy soils more firm, while sour soils or swamp lands are sweetened by 

 its application. In addition to this the chemical action brought about 

 by its presence in the decomposition and rendering soluble of other 



