56 
improve their texture ; there might, however, be found 
some portions of this bed containing more alumina 
than others, and of course better adapted to the 
improvement of those soils. Some fields, which were 
drained, were producing large crops of turnips, and 
I am told that it is very dry land when once that 
operation is performed. In fact, any soil with 76 per 
cent, of sand must be dry, if water is not retained 
by its subsoil. 
The next stratum Northward composes the excellent 
lands of Arksey, Bentley, Almholme, Shaftholme, an 
alluvial deposit, I believe, of the river Don ; at one 
time, I did think it to be the uppermost bed in the true 
New Red Sandstone series, but it is impossible to trace 
this soil under the diluvial beds on the South of 
Doncaster. The proof of its alluvial origin is cor- 
roborated by the fact that the greatest portion of it is 
now frequently covered by inundations from the River 
Don. It bassets out by thinning away suddenly to the 
North, in an East and West line, which extends from 
the Doncaster bar on the great North road, by Hall 
Ville Toll Bar, Shaftholme, towards Fenwick, and then 
follows the course of the river. This land produces 
excellent crops of all descriptions, as well as feeding 
pastures for cattle. This analysis'^ is from a field which 
• Analysis of 400 Grains, by J. W. Wilson, Esq. of Whitby. 
Grains. Per cent. 
Water of absorption 50 12.4 
Fine Sand 92 23 
Carb. Lime llf 3 
Carb. Magnesia I8f 4.6 
Vegetable matter destructible by heat.. 31 8 
Silica 154 38.5 
Alumina 25 6.2 
Oxide of Iron 17? 4.3 
Loss \ 0 
(Ulmic Acid 7 per cent) 400 100 
