55 
carbonates dissolve it, and acids throw it down from 
these solutions.) For if this were known, we could at 
once decide upon the inspection of an analysis whether 
a soil were permanently fertile or not. Nevertheless 
some information may be gained by a comparison of 
analyses, particularly if the foregoing considerations 
are kept in mind, as I hope to be able to shew. 
The soil of a field near the house at Cantley, on the 
diluvium, and reckoned to be worth 40s. per acre, gives 
sand (two-thirds coarse) 86J per cent. ; of lime, clay, and 
other impalpable matter, only 13.5. Now, by comparing 
this with any of the soils in the table, for we cannot 
compare it with any superior to it on the same stratum, 
it will be at once seen that it contains more sand than 
any, except Sinclair's " Poor Silicious : and that it is 
defective in cohesion, is proved by the treading of sheep 
being so useful to increase its compactness; and Mr. 
Childers, of Cantley, has applied earthy matter from 
the bed of yellow clay and boulders to about twenty 
acres in his park, which he says is considerably 
improved. This soil is better than its analysis would 
indicate, owing to one-ihird of its sand being in a 
minutely divided state. 
The soil formed by the bed of yellow clay and 
boulders has been stated to form a considerable tract of 
land running from Armthorp South towards Brampton. 
Now this soil, notwithstanding its wetness, contains 
76 per cent, of fine sand. It is however much wetter 
than the analysis would seem to indicate, being too 
retentive of moisture to produce turnips, and dangerous for 
the pasture of sheep : which must, therefore, be attributed 
to the consolidated subsoil, and the fine sand increasing 
the capability of the 24 per cent, of clay and lime to 
absorb and retain moisture. It, however, plainly contains 
too much silica to be ap[)lied to the diluvial beds to 
