Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Black Land

BLACK LAND, in agriculture, a term used to denote a peculiar kind of clayey soil, which in rainy weather appears of a dusky or blackish colour, though, when dry, it more resembles a pale grey, than a true black. On ploughing this soil, especially in wet seasons, it is apt to adhere to the plough-shares; and assumes a darker and muddier appearance, the more it is worked. It generally abounds with small white stones, and always contains a considerable proportion of sand. A soil of this description may be improved, by manuring it with such substances as tend to pulverize the ground, and deprive it of its tenacity.—See Land and Manure.