chemists; together with some practical knowledge of chemical experiments; I was led to expect much useful information, concerning the manures of that county. I am not altogether disappointed.

Various species are enumerated, as "being employed to a greater or less degree, in Cheshire:"-namely, marl, lime, dung, sand, peat moss, ashes and soot, bone dust, rape dust, &c. : also refuse salt and marsh mold; which are separately treated of.

Marl.-In reviewing the Report of Lancashire (see NORTH. DEPART.) I paid particular attention to the nature and management of its marls; and intimated a hope that, in the Report of Cheshire, I might find a more intelligible and explicit account of the specific qualities, and component parts, of the marls of this quarter of the kingdom. But, in the original Report, I found no notice, whatever, concerning these particulars; and I was not, at the time I reviewed it, aware of any other account of the Natural Economy and practice of Cheshire being intended to be published. My hopes were of course renewed, and much heightened, when I understood that a scientific and chemical Reporter had been engaged to draw up a second Report of the county.

The popular descriptions, or rather provincial names, of "marls," in LANCASHIRE, are "shell marl;" "blue or reddish slate marl;"-" strong clay marl."-Of those found, and employed as manure, in CHESHIRE, Mr. Wedge enumerates," clay marl;" "blue slate marl;" "red slate marl;" ""stone marl.”

The following is Mr. Holland's description of the marls of Cheshire.-P. 221. "This is unquestionably one of the most important of the Cheshire manures, whether we consider the extent to which it is applied, or the great utility connected with its application. It is found in almost every part of the county, but in greatest abundance, where the prevailing soil is a clay, or clayey loam. Under sandy, or mixed soils, it is very frequently met with; but usually at a more considerable depth. In a few instances, it has been discovered between two strata of sand stone: this is the case in some parts of the hills, on the western boun, dary of Delamere forest; where the marl, obtained is of a very superior quality. In the hundred of Wirrall, where there is a very considerable predominance of clay, it is inet with in abundance; and is used to a greater extent there, than in any other part of the county.

“The term marl is employed in Cheshire in a most

comprehensive sense, including a variety of substances, very different in external appearance, and varying greatly if not in the nature of their constituent parts, at least in the proportions in which these are arranged in the mass. The most common varieties in the county are distinguished by the appellations of clay marl, slate marl, and stone marl; the first of these kinds is met with in the greatest abundance, and is perhaps the most generally beneficial. In some instances however the farmer mistakes a brown, shining clay for this description of marl; by putting which on his clay land, he throws away his labour, and rather injures thau benefits the soil."—It thus appears that the Lancashire, and the Cheshire marls are very similar.

Mr. H. next points out the criteria whereby the qualities of the marls of Cheshire are to be ascertained.-P. 221. "The criteria of the excellence of mari must, of course, have a reference to the different kinds employed, Generally speaking that may be esteemed good, which is of a dark brown colour, intersected with veins of either a blue, or light yellow shade; it should be greasy to the touch, when moist; and friable, when dry. Marl of this description, when put into water, will fall to pieces, allowing a considerable portion of sand to sink to the bottom of the vessels; from the application of which simple test the farmer might, in many instances, derive much advantage. There is an excellent kind of marl sometimes met with, which is vulgarly called dove dung, from its resembling in appearance the dung of pigeons.'

Thus, instead of a chemical analysis of the various sorts, we merely find the popular notions of the good people of Cheshire; and, indeed, of every other part of the kingdom, where "marls" are in use. This, I freely confess, was a serious disappointment. For Mr. H. immediately proceeds to speak of the quantity to be used, and the method of using it, in Cheshire:-Particulars which I could have more readily excused, in the work of an unpractised Reporter.

Mr. Holland, however, afterward treats of the operation of marls; and, in doing this, touches on their properties : -moreover, in a note, we are told that several specimens were sent to Mr. Davy, an "ingenious and accurate chemist," for examination. Those strictures not being of very great length, and it being on topics like that which is now under notice, (as has been before intimated) that

we

we can expect to reap useful information, from the Report under consideration, I will here insert them, entire.

P. 223. "That marl is actually productive of the greatest benefit to the lands on which it is used, is a fact which can admit of no doubt. Much variety of opinion however exists, as to the mode of operation by which this benefit is effected. Several intelligent persons, with whom I have spoken on the subject, consider the calcareous matter which it contains, as the principal, if not the sole agent, in the improvement of the land. Others have stated it as their opinion, that the principal advantage derived from marl, is the addition of bulk or quantity which it makes to the soil; while others again regard its action as of a mechanical nature; considering the improvement of the land, on which it is applied, as the consequence of an alteration which it makes in the texture or disposition of the soil*. Upon an attentive consideration of the subject, it appears to me in the highest degree probable, that marl may derive a certain portion of its utility as a manure, from each of the three causes which have been assigned. From analysis of the substance, it is found to be an intimate mixture of the aluminous and siliceous earths, usually combined with a certain portion of carbonate of lime, and not unfrequently deriving a tinge from the presence of an oxide of iron. The latter substance, however, from the smallness of its quantity, cannot be supposed to produce effects, either beneficial or the reverse. With respect to the calcareous earth contained in the marl, it must undoubtedly have, to a certain extent, the same action that would be produced by the direct application of lime as a manure; but as it is rendered clear, by actual experiment, that some descriptions of mark which are used with advantage, do not contain any portion whatever of carbonate of lime, we cannot certainly attribute the efficiency of marl to this cause alone. It must have

some

«The best marl, is that which contains the largest proportion of lime. Its application is undoubtedly the most beneficial on light soils A Correspondent.

The great advantage of marl seems to arise from its adding bulk to the soil. On light sandy land, it stiffens the soil, and prevents the rain water from passing through too rapidly. Cheshire Farmer.

Marl appears to be principally of advantage from the increase which it gives to the quantity of soil.-A Correspondent."

Out of twelve specimens of marl, which Mr. Wilbraham, of Delamere Lodge, sent to Mr. Davy for examination, eleven were found

some additional operation upon the land, from which a certain portion of its value, as a manure, is derived. This operation may consist either in the increase of soil obtained by its application, or in the change which it produces in the texture and quality of the land on which it is laid. Marl may itself be considered as a soil, capable of affording nutriment to every description of vegetable substance: when therefore it is ploughed into the ground, a positive addition of bulk is obtained, and, of consequence, a more abundant source of nutriment for succeeding crops procured. In the hundred of Wirrall, where the stratum of soil is, generally speaking, thin and poor, much advantage is derived from the application of marl, simply as an increase of quantity to the soil. On light sandy land, an additional advantage is connected with its use; the marl, from the large proportion of clay which it usually contains, having a tendency to stiffen the soil, and to bring it to that medium, or neutralized state, (if I may so express myself) which appears the most decidedly favourable to the purposes of vegetation. If this statement be accurate, (and I have every reason from enquiry and observation, to believe it to be so) the utility of marl is derived from thrce several sources; viz. from the calcareous earth, which it contains; from the increase of soil obtained by its application; and from the change which it effects in the disposition of the parts composing the soil. The last of these modes of operation, it is obvious, will be greatly varied by the nature of the soil to which the marl is applied. On stiff clay land its effect in altering the texture of the soil is less considerable than on any other."

Altho we find nothing new in those remarks, every idea contained in them being either before the public, or are clearly understood by professional men, in marling districts, yet the manner in which the different modes of operation are made out, does Mr. Holland much credit, as a writer.

In the Appendix to the volume, now before me, is a

paper

found, by that ingenious and accurate chemist, to contain calcareous earth in various proportions. As the result of trials made upon a number of specimens procured from different parts of the county, I have found that, though the greater number contained a certain proportion of carbonate of lime, there are several kinds which do not effervesce in the slightest degree upon the addition of the dilute sulphuric acid, and consequently do not contain any portion of calcareous matter. Still, however, they are called marls by the farmer, and are found to produce an ameliorating effect upon the land."

paper "on the nature and origin of marls,"-by J. T. Stanley, Esquire, F. R. and A. S. &c.

This paper, in as much as it throws a few fresh rays of light on the nature of the marls found in Cheshire, is valuable. But what is said in it, regarding the operation of marls, appears to be ill founded. And the conjectures hazarded, respecting their origin, relate to fossils in general, rather than to marls in particular. I transcribe what concerns the marls of Cheshire.

P. 348. "Marl is a substance found in many parts of England, but in peculiar abundance in Cheshire, where it has been long used with great advantage for the improvement of the soil. It consists of clay, sand, and lime very intimately, but unequally mixed; and has the appearance of a clay of a dark brown colour, intersected with light blue veins; though, when freshly broken, it has rather a granular surface: on pressing it between the fingers, however, it has a softer feel than clay. It is seldom found as a stratum, or layer of any length; but generally a few feet below the surface, in detached masses of twenty or thirty roods in extent, and eight or ten yards in depth; covered with clay, and resting on a bed of sand or gravel. It has been spread over land in Cheshire for many centuries; and leases granted in the reigns of Edward I. and II. contain clauses obliging the tenants to make use of it.

"That marl is most esteemed which contains the most lime; but good effects are produced by such as contains scarcely a sufficient proportion to be perceptible. The farmers say, it strengthens the soil, enables the growing crops to maintain their vegetation during a dry season, and that it fills the kernels of corn. It does most good on light land; but even stiff lands derive a benefit from it. A field is said to be well marled when 128 solid yards are spread over a statute acre *. Marl falls into pieces, after having been exposed for a few months to the weather, and is then ploughed in.. Its greatest effect is apparent when the field is brought into a second course of tillage; and after six or eight crops have been procured from it, it ceases to operate."

The quantity, used.-P. 222. "The quantity of marl used in this county, varies according to its quality, and the nature of the soils on which it is used. On a light or sandy soil, two cubic roods of marl, each rood containing

* But see below.

64 solid