256 On the Agricultural Geology of the Weald. 
quantity of soluble matter to water flowing through them 
should produce a barren soil. The spring at Gosford House, 
which contains the most, is comparatively pure. The springs 
are deep-seated, the temperature of the water varying from 
50^ to 52^ Fahr., and on this account (viz., their warmth in 
winter) they would be available for irrigation ; but the quantity 
of mineral matter is small for this purpose, that at Gosford 
House would probably be of most service. The value of hard 
water from chalk springs is well known in irrigation ; that from 
the Kentish Rag is also good. The fertilizing agent here is 
probably bi-carbonate of lime, but it does not appear that success 
in irrigation alwaj s depends upon the quantity of lime contained 
in the water. The question requires further research, and few 
subjects touching alike Agriculture, Chemistry, and Geology 
give greater promise of interesting results. The investigation, 
to be complete, should include analyses of rock formations, their 
overlying soils, and water issuing therefrom, whether as springs 
from the former or by drains from the latter ; together with the 
effect of such water on soils of known composition. 
Prof. Way's experiments on "The Composition of the Waters 
of Land-Drainage and of Rain " * were in great part made upon 
water from Farnham, supplied by Mr. J. M. Paine. The fields 
were chiefly in Gault clay or on gravel over Gault. 
Weald Clay. 
This formation, though occupying a large area, presents few 
points of interest. Nearly always it forms a flat plain, through 
which the rivers wind in broad alluvial flats. From the small 
amount of fall which the rivers have in traversing it, they are 
subject to strong floods. This is especially the case with the 
Teise, an eastern tributary of the Med way. 
The soil of the Weald Clay proper is a stiff yellowish clay, 
very poor in places, but generally, like most other clays, capable of 
great improvement. In places there are lines of lighter soil caused 
by the outcropping of thin beds of sand, but they are not of great 
extent and do not affect the general character of the district, 
which is stiff land, excepting where overlain by alluvial loams 
and gravels. These sand beds, however, are important in pro- 
viding water through the district. Wells sunk to catch a sand 
bed arc often " artesian," the water rising to or near the surface. 
This is owing to the dip of the beds : if the outcrop of the water- 
* '.lournal of the Eoyal Agricultural Society,' vol. xvii., p. 123. Professor 
Way also employed Mr. Paine's soils in some of his researches upon the absorp- 
tive properties of soils. Tliey «cre taken from the (iaulr, London Clay, and 
Gravel. See vol. xv., p. 49.">. 
