What a wonderfully active and retentive mind that gifted child must have!
He had a most retentive memory and a very keen power of observation.
An uneven subsoil, especially if retentive, is most undesirable, as water is apt to collect in the hollows, and thus affect the upper soil.
Speaking generally, clay soils retentive of moisture produce heavy-cropping tobaccos which cure to a dark brown or red colour.
I used to be anally retentive, then I lost my ass, Cheers, Gerry.