59 
From a comparison of the chemical contents of these 
soils at various places, it is evident that the infertility of 
this large tract of wet land is not altogether owing to 
the adhesive properties of its soil. For although the 
Owston soils are very retentive, yet they do not contain 
near the clay in Von Thaer's first class of soils ; 
and the analysis of the Womersley soils* very nearly 
corresponds with Thaer's 3rd soil, which he denominates 
1st class of strong wheat soils. I shall speak upon the 
causes of this ^vetness, &;c. when the agriculture of the 
country is described. 
The Bed of Sand Soil — emerges from beneath the 
clay soils described, in a narrow East and West line of 
about a quarter of a mile in breadth : it runs through 
the Womersley farms of Wood Hall and Fulham, and 
down to the North road from Doncaster to Selby ; it then 
veers to the South into Balne. Some lands situated 
upon it are adapted to the alternate husbandry, and 
produce good crops of turnips, but the depth of soil on 
the Southern edge of it becomes thin. The juncus 
glomeratus may be seen growing in sand. The Wood 
Hall Farm, at Womersley, formerly grew excellent 
perennial grass, and fed beasts. The worst field in 
Womersley, which is situated upon it, gives 215 grains 
out of 400 of sand. The proportion of sand in this soilf 
would make it equal to Thaer's 'No. 12, " good barley.'* 
• Analysis of Womersley soil. Old Turf. 
Water of absorption. . . .60. 
Grains. Per cent. 
Calcareous sand 123 31 
Clay 167 41 
Carbonate of lime 50 12^ 
Magnesia ^ 
Destructible by heat 63 , 15 
404 100 
f Analysis, 400 grains 
Sand 215 54 per cent. 
