402 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



the manure it receives. And this latter is an important 

 factor of the natural capability of a soil. 



The soil experimented on by Storer was deficient in both 

 these respects : in capacity for yielding good crops from its 

 own stores, and in power to make large returns for large sup- 

 plies of manure given to it. The reasons are very clearly 

 set forth in Storer's report. In order that plants may grow 

 well, each one of a number of conditions must be fulfilled. 

 Not only must all the essential ingredients of plant-food be 

 present in abundance, but there must be proper supplies of 

 light, heat, air, and moisture. 



"The experiments of the German chemist, Hellriegel, show 

 most clearly the enormous influence that is exerted upon the 

 quantity of a crop whenever one of these conditions is unful- 

 filled, or only partially fulfilled. By attending to all these 

 particulars, Hellriegel has succeeded in growing, year after 

 year, several grain crops, much larger, healthier, and more 

 perfect in every respect than have ever been met with in 

 field practice. He has been able, moreover, to produce at 

 will plants of determinate size and w r eight by varying the 

 conditions aforesaid, though the supply of food was un- 

 changed." In fact, within certain limits he was able to make 

 the size of his crops very nearly and regularly proportional 

 to the amount of water they received. 



Now the application of these principles to Storer's experi- 

 ments is plain. The soil is peculiarly subject to drought. 

 Without an adequate supply of moisture, crops grown upon 

 it are unable to make full use of the plant-food contained 

 therein. Hence heavy manuring of such soils is not eco- 

 nomical. 



There are many practical and theoretical farmers who ad- 

 vocate with little discrimination the doctrine of " hisjh-farm- 

 ing," and point to European practice in support of their view. 

 One limitation to this doctrine is forcibly illustrated in Sto- 

 rer's experiments. As was said above, the soil on which these 

 experiments were made was not " strong" enough to give 

 manure the support it needs in order that its fertilizing con- 

 stituents may be used with advantage. This was due to its 

 lack of depth, and above all to its lack of water. " Like 

 thousands of others in New England, their field has a certain 

 natural but limited capacity to profit by the application of 



