Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/189

MAR fiiersed in water, it readily cmm- bles to pieces ; but does not form a viscid mass. 2. Argillaceous marie is of a grey, brown, or reddisii-brovvn colour ; being harder, and more unctuous, than the former species, and adher- ing to tlie tongue. It effervesces with aqua fortis, or spirit of salt, but not with vinegar: in water, it dissolves more slowly; and, if it be exposed either to air or moisture, it does not moulder so quickly as the calcareous kind. 3. Siliceous or sandy Marie, con- tains a greater proportion of sand, than of chc.lk or clay. This species is of abrownihh-greyorlead colour; it is, in general, friable and flaky, but sometimes forms very hard lumps. It effervesces with acids, but neither dissolves in water, nor moulders so speedily as either of the tvv'o former kinds. — Marie affords an excellent manure for sandy, dry, gravelly, or light lands of any kind ; it likewise produces very beneficial effefts on mossy and clayey soils: provided a due pro- portion be applied, and afterwards perfectly dissolved. The quantity necessary to be used, varies acconling to the na- ture of the soil ; but the utmost caution is requisite ; because, if too large a portion be scattered on the land, it cannot be easily re- moved ; and, if too little be em- ployed, the deficieiicy may be rea- dily supplied. On sandy, gravelly, or light soils, it will be advisable to spread as- much as will form a tliick coat, in order to bind and stitfen th> ground. But, of what- ever nature the land may be, the most judicious cultivators recom- mend such a portion to be laid on it, as will form a iliia coat over the "Wlioje surface, MAR [169 The proper season for viarling, is the summer ; as this kind of manure is then perfectly dry, and not only lighter, but also more. easily reducible to powder. Marie, however, may be advantageously spread during the winter-frosts j as, hi the latter season, there are i'ew opportunities of performing, other labours of the field. Previously to marling, the land ought to be diligently cleared from all weeds, and rendered level, both wiih the brake and the common harrow, so that the marie may be equally spread on the surface ; where it should be suffered to lie during the winter. In the month of February, and in dry weather, it will be proper to draw a bush- harrow, well weighted, over the land, that the marie may be uni- formly distributed ; but, as this manure is very ponderous, and sinks to the bottom of the furrow, if injudiciously ploughed in, it has been suggested to turn it into an ebh-funuiu for the first crop : dur- ing the growth of the latter, the marie will incorporate with, and be- come a part of the soil, from which it does not readily separate. So permanenr, indeed, are its fertiliz- ing properties, that, if land be pro^ perly marled, it will continue ara- ble ibr (he space of 12 or 1-4 years; and, for pasture, dmung a much longer period. As marie affords so valuable a manure, it will be useful to point out a few charaderistics, by which it may be distinguished from dif- ferer.t substances that re-^emble it. For this purpose, a small mass or lump should be exposed to the air: if genuine, it will, in a short time, by the action of the dews, nitre, &c. crumble into small pieces ; and there will jike^'ise appear a hoaty or