Agricultural Capabilities of the New Foi'est. 
257 
tons of marl to supply the same quantity of lime. If the land is 
light, and will be improved by clay as well as chalk, nothing can 
be better than to apply some 40 tons of marl. Should it, how- 
ever, be likely to become too adhesive from this quantity, the 
application may, with much advantage, be divided between marl 
and chalk, applying some 25 tons of the former and 7 or 8 of 
the hatter. On the other hand, where tliere is a clay subsoil and 
the surface is somewhat stiff, it will be found, in most instances, 
that chalk alone will be the most beneficial application, and 
particularly in the vicinity of the railway. 
The marl-pits, although 24 in number, are mostly situated in 
the southern part of the Forest, and there are but few on the 
north side of the railway. This is rather to be regretted, as 
there is a large portion of thin poor land belonging to the 
Ba<rshot sands in the neighbourhood of Picked Post that would 
no doubt derive much benefit from the application. There are 
two pits at Boldrewood that might be available, but their use 
would involve a cartage of several miles to a large portion of the 
land in question. This land, however, being so poor, is not likely 
to be broken up for tillage for many years, and therefore will not 
require the marl ; but the belt of Bracklesham beds still further 
north is likely to be more responsive, and there chalk or marl 
would be very beneficial according to whether the sand or the 
loam predominates. When, however, the surface is sandy, and 
the subsoil also sandy, the prospect of successful tillage is- 
altogether remote. 
It may not be without use to quote some recorded experi- 
ments instituted to show the power of soils to abstract and retain 
moisture. It has been found that from 100 lbs. of the following 
soils, perfectly dry, water will begin to drop : — 
lbs. 
Quartz sand, when it lias absorbed 25 
Calcareous sand, ,, ,, 29 
Loamy soil, „ „ 40 
English chalk, „ „ 45 
Clay loam, „ ,, 50 
Pure clay, ,, ,, 70 
The latter soils, which absorb most, also retain it with the 
greatest pertinacity. 
The high royalty of (3c?. per ton charged on all marl dug in 
the Forest has no doubt assisted to bring its demand to a 
minimum, in common with the fact that the private lands around 
are pretty well saturated with this fertiliser. A considerable 
reduction would not only stimulate the extensive employment of 
it in the Forest itself when broken up, but might stimulate a 
considerable demand beyond the Forest. 
VOL. VII. — S. S. S 
