The sand-hills are not inherently infertile; the soil never bakes, is always receptive of moisture, absorbing water like a sponge and holding it well.
In a dry state it becomes hard and bakes to a brick.
The vegetarians in our group were well looked after too with some tasty quiches and vegetable bakes.
Great care is necessary to prevent the heaps from becoming too hot, in which case the clay becomes baked into hard lumps of brick-like material which cannot be broken up. With careful management, however, the clay dries and bakes, becoming slowly converted into lumps which readily crumble into a fine powder, in which state it is spread over and worked into the land at the rate of 40 loads per acre.
Artichoke hearts also add a wonderful flavor to salads, pasta dishes, vegetable bakes and pizzas.