Transposition and Admixture of Soils, 



69 



either frosty or droughty weather, would cause it to fall to pieces 

 sufficiently for harrowing and ploughing in. The expense I paid 

 for digging, filling the carts, and spreading, was from 4d. to bd. 

 per cubic yard (full 1 ton), varying according to the quantity of 

 stones imbedded in the clay as before noticed. 



The total expense upon an acre having 150 yards laid upon it 

 was as follows : — 



' £ s. d. 



Digging and spreading 150 yards, at 4jc/. per yard . . 2 16 3 

 Four horses four days, at 2^. 6c/. each, lOj'. per day . .200 

 Driver four days, at 2s, 6d. per day . . . . 0 10 0 

 Other expenses (wear and tear) . . . ♦ .030 



Total expenses in marling one acre • . . .593 



In this way I marled 80 acres, but afterwards hit upon another 

 plan in which I found a great saving to my horses, as in the wet 

 season of the year it was heavy work for them to draw the carts 

 out of the pits. I got a windlass made on the same principle 

 as the one used for the draining-plough, which I fixed upon a 

 platform 10 yards from the centre of the mouth of the pit ; the 

 platform was formed of the sand taken from above the marl, and 

 was elevated 2 feet above the surface of the ground. 



The expense per acre when the windlass was used was— - 



£. s. d. 



Digging and spreading 150 yards, at 4jc/. per yard . . 2 16 3 

 *Three Horses 4 days, at 2^. Qd, each, ^s. 6d. per day . 1 10 0 

 Lad to drive horse in windlass, 4 days, at Ij'. , , ,040 



Driver for Carts, 4 days, at 2^. 6d 0 10 0 



Wear and tear .... . . . .020 



Total expense per acre when windlass was used . .523 

 Total expense per acre when common carts are used . . 5 9 3 



Saving ... 0 7 0 

 The advantage is not pecuniary alone, but the heavy drag and 

 difficulty in getting out of the pit is also avoided ; and one-third 

 less land is taken up by the pit, as it can be dug much steeper, 

 and to any depth, whilst no difficulty arises in getting out with 

 the loads, even with an inferior horse. The same number of 

 diggers are required. 



5thly. The result. — I have already described the land as being 

 light, and of a very inferior kind ; this the crops went to prove, 

 which were generally overgrown with the greatest variety of 

 annual weeds, the growth of wdiich apparently no culture could 



* One horse was used for the windlass, and the other two for taking 

 away the loaded carts. 



