368 



paratively rich in potash, and which the present means of 

 subsoiling would enable you to bring to the surface. If this 

 was done I have little doubt that a great deal of the forest 

 land of this character would be reduced from a comparative 

 state of barrenness to one of great fertility. In cases where 

 the subsoiling, from the great depth of the gravel, or from 

 other causes, was found to be impracticable, there are few 

 places where this permanent improvement may not be effected 

 by carting. Sand pits might be made, generally, in the very 

 field where it was required, and a larger quantity applied at 

 a trifling cost. There are even many places where a red clay 

 abounds, much richer in potash than the sand, and which 

 could be carted on in a similar manner. Where sand is used, 

 I have before recommended that you should have some regard 

 to the quantity of that shining mineral, mica^ which it contains. 

 There are many places where it abounds to such an extent, 

 that each ton of sand contains 37 lbs. of pure potash, a 

 quantity which, if liberated, would be sufficient for an acre 

 of clover ; nothing, consequently, could be better calculated 

 to prevent the failure of the clover crop, or confer a more 

 permanent benefit on these soils, than a good application of 

 this. Where such was applied simply with a view to preserve 

 the clover, the potash might be partly converted into a soluble 

 state by previously mixing it with lime. Compost heaps might 

 be made of two parts of this sand and one of lime, ten or 

 twelve months before required ; they might then be applied 

 as a top dressing in winter or spring, with, I think, perfect 



success. 



P.S. There i^ one fact connected with the cultivation of 

 clover which I would beg to ofi'er a few remarks upon pre- 

 vious to concluding. It has been stated to me, on numerous 

 occasions, by the most experienced farmers, that the crop of 

 wheat is always better after Trtown clover .than aftjer pastured. 

 They even state that if the clover is mown two or three times, 



