28 



Farming of Derbysliire. 



soils to give them a more open and friable nature, and furnish 

 those elements that make other soils fruitful. In the cultivation 

 of these soils, the maxim of Arthur Young is in full force and 

 influence : — " Plough deep to find the gold^^ said that distinguished 

 farmer. Never were words spoken more truthful, and conveying 

 more useful information to the cultivator of cold and heavy land. 

 The subjoined analysis of soil from the coal series is l)y Mr. 

 Haywood, of Sheffield, and taken from a field near Chester- 

 field :— 



100 parts contain, chemical and mechanical analysis — ■ 



Stones and gravel not analysed . ..... 5*250 



Organic matter, consisting principally of humus, with roots 



and fibres decaying . 8 • 660 



Water 7 '790 



Silicates, containing -640 of potash and '280 of soda] . 70*400 



Alumina, oxide of iron, and manganese .... 6*840 



Carbonate of lime and magnesia '970 



Phosphoric acid (combined) '012 



Sulphuric acid ditto '008 



Chlorine ditto . . . . . . -018 



Soluble potash and soda . '037 



Soluble silica -003 



Loss -012 



100-000 



Note hy Mr. Haywood. — " This soil has most likely been treated with 

 lime and salt recently. The excess of soluble potash is owing to the soil 

 being taken in a very dry state. The proper manures for these soils will be 

 ammonia and phospliates." 



The Gritstone soil of the coal series does not differ m.aterially 

 in its chemical composition from the clay ; as a general rule, 

 however, it contains less potash and soda, though these valuable 

 ingredients are always furnished by the mica contained in it in 

 sufficient quantity for all ordinary crops. The soil is of an 

 open and friable nature, and well adapted for the growth of 

 root crops, affording an excellent layer for sheep consuming 

 them on the ground. It is of limited area, and mixed in the 

 same district with the clay, and very often in the same field. 

 The course of cropping on these soils is similar to the magnesian 

 limestone, but the turnips are not consumed on the land with 

 the same regularity. The following is a common practice : — 



1st Year. Fallow, turnips and cabbages. 

 2nd do. Barley. 



Srd do. Clover seeds, mixed with Italian and common rye 



grass, mown or pastured. 

 4th do. Wheat. 

 5th do. Beans, peas, or tares. 

 6th do. Oats. 



Fallow. 



