658 
Report  on  Wheat-Mildew. 
No.  3 is  a mixed  soil  on  the  lower  part  of  the  farm,  where  the 
tidal  deposit  on  the  top  of  the  peat  is  thinner.  As  you  pass 
from  the  sea  inland  you  traverse  first  the  marsh-land,  which 
may  be  of  the  character  of  No.  1 or  No.  2,  and  next  the  fen  land. 
On  the  border-line  of  these  two  distinct  soils  you  find  a mixed 
soil  which  is  known  locally  as  “ skirty  ” or  “ skirt  ” land,  and 
the  sample  No.  3 represents  this  description  of  soil. 
No.  4 is  a more  exceptional  soil.  It  is  taken  from  the  bed  of 
one  of  the  old  water-courses  which  traverse  my  farm  and  the 
district.  These  runs  are  called  “ dilands.”  The  corn  growing  on 
them  presents  a very  marked  and  distinct  appearance  in  the 
spring,  when  ribands  of  dark  green  hue  contrast  themselves 
with  the  lighter  green  of  a healthy  crop.  In  cold  and  dry 
seasons  the  corn  on  these  “ dilands  ” will  often  stand  six  inches 
higher  than  that  on  the  remainder  of  the  field.  Later  on  in  the 
summer  the  crop  on  them  is  almost  sure  to  lodge,  and  if  there  is 
any  mildew  about,  these  are  the  spots  where  it  will  certainly 
appear. 
It  will  be  seen,  then,  that  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  represent  considerable 
tracts,  while  No.  4 is  a peculiar  soil  limited  in  its  area.  The 
cropping  and  manuring  of  the  fields  from  whence  these  samples 
were  taken  are  shown  on  page  657. 
“ Royal  Agricultural  Society  of  England, 
“ Laboratory,  12.  Hanover  Square,  London,  TV., 
“July  26th,  1883. 
“ My  dear  Sib, 
“ I have  now  the  pleasure  of  reporting  to  you  the  results  which  I 
obtained  by  careful  and  complete  analysis  of  the  four  Cambridgeshire  soils 
which  you  sent  me  some  time  ago,  and  upon  which  I understand  you  to  say 
mildew  more  or  less  prevails. 
“ The  soils  were  labelled  as  follows : — 
“ No.  1.  Medium  strong  soil  of  the  district. 
“ No.  2.  Lighter  soil  (called  locally,  silt). 
“ No.  3.  Mixed  soil  skirting  the  fen  (called  locally,  skirty). 
“ No.  4.  Soil  from  the  channel  of  an  old  water-course.  These  runs  (‘  di- 
lands ’ locally)  you  inform  me  are  very  common  in  your  district,  which  consist 
of  alluvial  tidal  deposits  on  the  top  of  peat. 
“ Fair  average  samples  of  the  soils  were  prepared  from  slices  taken  down  to 
a depth  of  twelve  inches  from  the  surface,  and,  after  complete  drying  at 
212°  F.,  fully  analysed  in  a perfectly  dry  state,  when  the  results  shown 
in  the  Table  (p.  659)  w'ere  obtained. 
“ No.  1 is  a dark-brown  coloured  alluvial  clay-soil,  rather  stiff,  showing 
streaks  or  veins  of  oxide  of  iron,  and  thin  layers  of  fine  sand  or  silt. 
“ No.  2 is  a lighter  soil,  containing  more  fine  sand  than  No.  1 ; colour  dark 
brown.  On  the  whole  it  resembles  much  No.  1 in  general  appearance,  and 
also  in  composition. 
“ No.  3.  The  mixed  soil  skirting  the  fen  (skirty)  is  a dark-coloured  (almost 
black)  alluvial  clay  deposit,  rather  stiff,  showing  patches  of  blue  clay  here 
and  there,  especially  in  the  subsoil,  and  streaks  of  oxide  of  iron. 
“ No.  4.  Is  a dark  chocolate-brown  coloured  soil,  rather  lighter  than  No.  3, 
and  containing  more  organic  matter  (peaty  matter)  than  No.  3. 
