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The main geological formations consist of Cornbrash and Oxford Clay. Deposits of silty and sandy loams and gravel, associated with the River Avon, cover the Oxford Clay. The central part of the farm comprising field numbers 5-8, 29-32 and 37-44 has a deep covering of these types of soil. Although drainage is not perfect due to the underlying clay, it constitutes some of the best land on the farm and is suitable for a wide range of cropping.
The Cornbrash gives rise to Elmton Series soils (fields 18-24 and 46-49), which are shallow and consist of a stony clay loam overlying brashy limestone. Soil depth is variable and, although the greater part is free draining, some have clay near the surface, which restricts growth in winter and on rapidly drying out in the spring can cause drought stress, roots being unable to penetrate the waterlogged horizon during the winter months.
The best land on the farm is represented by the Tetbury Series soils which are deep even medium textured soils with satisfactory drainage. These soils are suitable for growing a wide range of crops. They tend to arise between Elmton and Wickham (parts of 15, 17, 20, 27, 28, 29, 8, 7, 6, 5, 33 and 1) and they normally have a .7-1 metre of even textured soil.
Isle Abbots Series run through the centre of the farm and is a friable sandy loam over gravel or clay subsoil with poor subsoil drainage.
Through the centre of the farm runs Sutton Series which is a shallow sandy loam overlying gravel which is very free draining and liable to cause wilting of crops in dry weather.
Wickham, the land which lies on the north side of the main drive, numbers 9-17 and parts of 28, 29, 8 and 2-4, has a thinner covering of loam and a higher clay content. Drainage is poor in parts and much of this land faces north. It is more suitable for long leys or winter sown cereals. The remaining land on the farm; (fields 36, 45, 51-52, 1 and parts of 2-4) borders the River Avon. The soils are alluvial and are on the present flood plain of the River Avon. The risk of periodic flooding limits this land to permanent pasture.
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