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IX. — An account of the Transposition a7id Admixture of Soils, as 

 in the application of a Clay dressing to a light Sand, stating 

 the result of actual Experiments. By William Linton. 



PRIZE-ESSAY. 



Having had several years' experience in marling, or the admixture 

 of clay with sand, I venture to give a practical account and a 

 detail of my method, in doing which I shall notice, — 



First. The description of the land clayed over. 

 Secondly. The kind of clay or marl used. 

 Thirdly. State of the land and season of the year when done. 

 Fourthly. Quantity laid on, the way of doing it, and the ex- 

 pense per acre. 



Fifthly. The result. 



1st. The description of land clayed over was a very light 

 barren sand^ so barren that it never had been cultivated to profit, 

 but had proved a losing concern to all that had engaged in it;, 

 both landlord and tenant. About one-fifth part was entirely out 

 of cultivation and grown over with ling, gorse, &c. The sub- 

 stratum is a white sand^ varying in depth from 1 to 4 feet. The 

 surface was of the same texture but darker in its colour, through 

 the decomposition of vegetable matter upon it. Beneath the bed 

 of sand lay a yellowish kind of clay, about 1 foot thick, under 

 it a rich marl about 18 feet deep. The land generally being 

 very wet, my first object was to underdrain it thoroughly with 

 tiles ; unless this is first done where necessary, marling is a waste 

 of capital. I cut my drains about 24 inches deep and 9 yards 

 apart. 



2ndly. The kind of clay used. — This being plentiful in nearly 

 all parts of the farm, but varying in depth from the surface, was 

 more or less difficult to get. The first 12 inches under the sand 

 was an inferior yellowish clay, under it a bed about 18 feet, as 

 already stated of rich dark-coloured marly clay, having in it a 

 soft stone which had the appearance of lime, and also a quantity 

 of cobble-stones. This clay and soft stone when dissolved in 

 vinegar and water, effervesced nearly as tartaric acid and car- 

 bonate of soda do when mixed together in water : this was my 

 test that it contained a quantity of alkali which rendered it fit 

 for my purpose and worthy the name of marl. The top or 

 yellow clay dissolved without effervescing. I consider that on the 

 proper testing and selection of the clay or marl chiefly depends 

 the success of marling operations. All clay will do good there is 

 no doubt, but on the quality used must rest the amount of benefit 

 obtained. 



3rdly. The state of the land and season of the year when done. 



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