“+; 1305.17 On Clay and Mart.

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a dose* of day or marl(forty-four horse-loads per acre) re peated in a twenty-one years Jease*" 1 inform bim, thatwith a tepetition of half the quantity, in about forty or fifty years from the first application, its eflects are Sutliciently evident for a century. This fact once established, will without further argument, I think, Suflicientiy prove the great Superiority of clay above lime, both in point of efficacy and cheapness, whether the mere binding light friable Soils be the QUJPE,* Or Supplying the defect of calcareous matter, which according to Mr. Kirwan's hypothesis, is exhausted by repetition of cul- ture. But as a manure, doubtless, lime has the advantage, Since according to F. S. it is alone a suflicient dressing for turnips, and even better ſor wheat than ſor turnips, without any addition of dung, on certain Soils.

I wish I could bave repaid the favor I have received from BES. Yeturning a more explicit auswer to his inquiries re- Specting our clays and marls. I much regret my ignorance of chewmistry, as I am persuaded, that no man can be zstiled a farmer, who is not atthe ame time conversant in the ſirst principles of chemistry.also. Without certain data to proceed upon, almost every operation of the field must be mere ehance- work: and in fact, how often has it happened, that the very manure which has been applied in ſull conlidence of SUCCCSS, has been not only not beneficial, but even injurious to 1he 501] lor years aſter.

At present therefore, being unable to give a more Salisfactory: analysis of the clay and marl commonly tound in this county, 1 must content myself wiib Sending him the following notes, from which he will form his opinion of them. Clay is found by digging, at various deptus below the Soil, in different Parishes: in 5ome al the depth of Six feet, in others not more than 5ix inches. W'hen fresh from its bed(which appears on a Secton, to be in Strata nearly horizontal, frequently divided by Sand and gravel) it is of a yellowish colour, mixed with a dull white, and studded with an infinite number of Smalt chalk stones. It feels greasy or Soapy between the fingers. On exposzure to tbe alternate operations of wet and fro;t; each lump or clod flies and crumbles into winute pieces, which ualess parted by barrowing or a Shovel, run together again into vDe Mass, by the first. Shower of rain. It it be thoroughly dried and immerced in vibegar, an almost imme- d.ate Strung efierverscence takes place.

Sand also makes one of its Compovent parts, as the touch d:ScCovers, lien it is dissolved in water--It is 80 retentive of

* 1. S. has written Clay-marl, as if they were onefand the zame ehiog, the following part of my letter will prove the CONLTary»