244 
Agricultural Capabilities of the New Forest. 
the beauty of the Avoodland scenery and the flourishing state of 
its trees, will, it is hoped, rescue it from the plough, and pre- 
serve it as an ornament to some neighbouring town, and thus 
convey to future generations a most favourable impression and 
reminiscence of the ancient Forest. 
The railway pursues a very devious course from its entrance, 
just spoken of, to its exit on approaching Ringwood, justifying 
its sobriquet of the Corkscrew line. Leaving Lyndhurst some 
miles on the right, it proceeds at first in a southerly and then 
in a westerly direction towards the coast, leaning towards Beau- 
lieu in its course, and touches the sea by means of its branch 
from Brockenhurst to Lymington. The main line takes a 
Avesterly course by Holmsley station, after which it turns towards 
the north, in order to reach Ringwood. During this circuitous 
journey it passes many spots well deserving of cultivation, and 
of soil, and the subsoil is clay, but not of a very retentive character. The sample 
analysed was about two inches from the surface. Altogether, from its external 
aspect, we should consider it as a favourable specimen of forest-land. It will be 
seen that it has a fair amount of phosphoric acid : — 
Moisture I'lO 
Orf;anic matter, &c 5"42 
Oxide of iron and alumina I -41 
Lime 
Magnesia "33 
Sulphuric acid 
Phosphoric acid '31 
Carbonic acid 
Insoluble siliceous matters (sand clay) .. .. 90'.oO 
Alkaline salts 93 
100-00 
Albert Spoon er. Bee. 9, 1870. 
The next analj'sis is from the Upper Bagshot sands. The sample was taken 
with the heath growing on it attached, the roots of which could not be altogether 
separated, which accounts for more organic matter being found than might be 
expected. The soil was very thin, and the subsoil was sand ; indeed, it was very 
near a large sand-])it, from which thousands of tons of sand had been shipped for 
the manuficture of coarse glass. The bottom of the old pit had been planted 
with firs, which were growing admirably. 
A particular feature in this and the preceding analysis is the absence of lime. 
We are rather disposed to draw a favourable augury from this than otherwise, as 
the remedy is readily obtainable in the form of marl and chalk. 
Moisture I'SO 
Organic matter 11 • 92 
Oxide of iron and alumina 4' 15 
Lime 
Magnesia "28 
Sulphuric acid 
Phosphoric acid trace 
Carbonic acid 
Insoluble siliceous matter 80'8G 
Alkaline salts "99 
100-00 
Albert Spooner, Jan. 13, 1871. 
