Arboriculture. 67 
A portion of the soil of Sheffield-Place, in Sussex, which was re- 
markable for producing flourishing oak, was analyzed by Sir Hum- 
phrey DaA-y, and found to consist of (J parts of sand, and 1 of clay and 
finely divided matter ; J 00 parts of it, contained— 
Silica, 54 parts. 
Alumina, 28 — 
Lime, 3 — 
Iron, 5 — 
Vegetable Matter, 4 — 
Moisture, 6 — 
100 
An excellent turnip soil, he found to consist of 3 parts in 5, of siliceous 
sand; the sand being laid aside, 1 00 parts of the remaining matter 
ct)nsisted of — 
Lime, 28 parts. 
Silica, 32 — 
Alumina, 29 — 
Animal and Vegetable Matter, ) 1 1 
and Water, \ 
100 
\nd an excellent soil, for every purpose, from the neighbourhood of 
aistol, the analysis of 400 grains of which, is given by Keith, in his 
V^egetable Physiology, vol. 1, page 81, contained, — 
Siliceous 240 grains. 
Water 52 — 
Alumine, 48 — 
Calcareous Earth, 30 — 
Iron, 14 — 
Vegetable Matter, 8 — 
Magnesia, 2 — 
Lost in operation of Analysis, 6 — 
400 
These examples, will convey a clearer notion of the qualities 
necessary to constitute a good soil, than any description. The sub- 
ject is one equally interesting and important, and I feel that to treat 
it thus superficially, is a very doubtful mode of rendering it properly 
understood; possibly however, this imperfect outline may incite to 
farther inquiry, in which case, I would beg to recommend, the perusal 
of Sir Humphrey Davy^'s Agricultural Chemistry; which with Keith's 
Vegetable Physiology, and Parks s Chemical Cetechism, should form 
a portion of every gardener's lending and private library. 
Vegetable Physiology as connected with Arboriculture, will form 
the subject of my next communication. 
I remain, yours, &c. 
July lOth, 1831. QUERCUS. 
