Land Valuing. 
3 
Considering' how rich in fossils are tlie lias formation, and 
also the shalv limestone- beds of the inferior oolite, I cannot but 
regard this difference as due to the presence of phosphate of lime. 
Some soils resting on the greensand may also be instanced as 
especially fertile from this cause. 
Again, the Weald clays are less fertile, and the London clays 
rather more so, than their appearance would indicate. 
Dark-coloured soils (unless very weak and porous) have an 
advantage, inasmuch as they absorb more of the sun's heat, in 
addition to which the dark colour generally indicates the presence 
of organic matter. But some dark-coloured dry sandy soils are 
injuriously affected from the same cause, because from excessive 
evaporation they more quickly lose the moisture which they 
especially need. 
Then the climate, aspect, elevation above the sea-level, and 
especially the wetness or dryness of the soil, and, if it be wet, the 
facilities for drainage, will be most important considerations ; 
and any liability to flood should be carefully ascertained and taken 
into account. 
Still it is well to bear in mind, as a general rule, however 
subject to modification, that the intrinsic or natural quality of a 
soil mainly depends on its depth and mechanical composition. 
Now, it happens that these qualities may readily be ascertained 
by examining the soil and subsoil with a spade or strong walking- 
stick, the mechanical texture of the soil being as readily judged 
of, by a man of experience, as a sample of any other commodity 
and there can be no doubt that the surest method of judging of 
the quality of the land is by an examination of the soil itself, 
rather than of anything that grows upon it. 
In valuing grass land, indeed, an examination of the herbage 
forms a valuable criterion ; and I can but again refer to Mr. 
Bravender's excellent paper, which I have found most useful in 
examining the different grasses which make up the sward of a 
meadow or pasture, and the weeds which characterise particular 
soils. 
But it is also well to observe the growth of the same grasses 
on different land : thus on dry burning land the ordinary grasses 
grow thin and wiry. 
The sward of the best grazing land will be found to consist 
almost wholly of true grasses, and these chiefly the best meadow 
grasses : Alopccurus pratensis (meadow fox-tail grass), Dactylis 
glomerata (rough cock's-foot grass), Festuca pratensis (meadow 
fescue grass), Phleum pratense (common cat's-tail grass), Cyno- 
sums cristatus (Crested dog's-tail grass), Anthoxantlium odo- 
ratum (Sweet-scented vernal grass), which gives its odour to hay, 
and a few others. Leafy plants, if there be no other objection to 
B 2 
