68 



Tran^:)Osition and Admixture of Soils. 



— I have alreadys tated that the land was first drained ; in the next 

 place it was made completely level by the plough^ harrows, and 

 in some places spade, after which it was ready for the marl being 

 laid on, which was done at all times of the year. For the first 

 two years I made naked summer fallows, and laid the clay on in 

 July and August : but after getting the land into a regular course 

 of crops (viz., the four-course system), I then did the work when 

 in seeds in the same months, which I continued to do as much as 

 possible afterwards, for the following reasons : — First, To avoid 

 the great injury done to the land by such heavy carting when in 

 fallow, which was visible in some places the two or three succeed- 

 ing crops. Secondly, from the loss sustained in having a fallow 

 instead of a crop of turnips : and Thirdly, from the cartage 

 being- so much easier when in seeds than when in fallow. 



The land which was out of cultivation was pared and burnt 

 with a hope of getting a crop of turnips, but in this I was disap- 

 pointed. It was also drained and levelled before marling. 



4thly. The quantity laid on, the way in which it was done, and 

 the expense per acre. — The quantity laid on depended upon the 

 quality of the land, and varied from 100 to 200 cubic yards per 

 acre ; the average was 150 yards. Where the land was very light 

 and barren (which was mostly the case on elevated parts) a larger 

 quantity was laid on, but where it was a better soil a much less 

 quantity answered the same purpose; my object being to lay just 

 as much on as would grow wheat after seeds. To do more than 

 this would not only have been an injury to the land for eating 

 turnips upon it with sheep and for the barley crop, but also a 

 waste of money in extra expense. When sufficiently clayed to 

 grow wheat after seeds, a point requiring close attention, I always 

 found it effectually done for any other crop. 



The way in which it was done. — It was necessary in the first 

 place to fix upon the most favourable situation for the pit, keeping 

 three objects in view. 1st. The most convenient place for cart- 

 ing to the plot of land intended to be marled. 2ndly. The best 

 situation for a pond to answer for a permanent watering-place, 

 cutting if possible across a fence so as to water two fields, one 

 from each mouth of the pit. 3rdly. Where the clay could be got 

 with the least difficulty. After the place was fixed upon the 

 work was carried on by five diggers, a driver, four horses or 

 beasts, and two carts (which are of the Scotch kind, with short 

 bodies and broad wheels). The pit was dug with a gradual 

 descent, so that three horses could draw out about a ton, which 

 was shot out where wanted, the cart returning by the time the 

 other was loaded ; thus three horses were always ready for the 

 loaded cart. The clay was spread by the diggers at broken 

 times after being exposed to the action of the air; rain, after 



