141 



2. Consistence is a valuable indication ; for upon the 

 degree in which it exists depends the capability of the soil 

 to produce particular crops, — as wheat and beans upon the 

 stronger, — turnips, barley, &c. upon the lighter soils. The 

 labour required upon a farm, the necessity of summer fallows, 

 the use of lime, &c., all in a great measure depend upon the 

 tenacity of the land. The amount of consistence at all 

 periods of the year, and under all circumstances, is not easily 

 discovered ; for some of the light Magnesian Limestone soils, 

 when trodden with sheep after Christmas, retain immediately 

 after rain whole sheets of water, and a stranger then would 

 account them tenacious. Some soils, if ploughed in a wet 

 state, appear more cohesive than they really are. Again, 

 others which a few years ago were of the strongest descrip- 

 tion, are known to be now, by drainage and cultivation, 

 growing turnips equal in quality to those of lighter soils. 

 Some of the sandy soils fall to a shapeless powder when 

 perfectly dry, yet regain a certain degree of cohesiveness 

 when in a wet state. Moreover, the consistence of the subsoil 

 is of equal importance with that of the soil ; for upon 

 its pervious or impervious nature depends the comparative 

 wetness or dryness of the soil ; and upon the former, of 

 course, the necessity of draining. A general knowledge of 

 subsoils, however, can only be derived from the relation of 

 the subsoil to the stratum from which it is derived, and the 

 local variation to which the latter is subject. 



3. The Vegetation is another valuable criterion of the qual- 

 ity of land. It may, however, lead to considerable deception ; 

 for upon the same soils and the same quality of land every 

 person must have remarked the great difference between a 

 well cultivated farm and a bad one ; and it is generally 

 supposed that the value of the land of the well cultivated 

 farm is proportionably increased. But this proposition must 

 be received with some limitation, for the question must be 



