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Arts can be taught and studied ; and not this alone, but ought not this same 

 element of regular agricultural instruction, to be most profoundly incorporated 

 into our Common School System ? If a single reasonable objection can be urged 

 to these propositions, the writer is not aware of it. 



Speaking of soils generally, it is evident that the first thing to be considered 

 in regard to them is their mechanical composition ; whether too light or heavy, 

 too wet or too dry; we then, by investigating the natural productions, or by cul- 

 tivation, ascertain what crops they are ada])ted to, and what ones they are not. 

 With these points ascertained, we are prepared to cultivate, alter, or improve 

 understandingly. If too loose, we must add clay to stiffen it, or make use of 

 barn manures, ashes, lime, or plaster, as shall prove best ; but always striving, as 

 we understand it, to procure good, compact grass-swards, or clover lays to 

 work from ; the great idea being to compact and enrich the surface soil. Stock 

 are, therefore, most valuable aids in the management of sandy soils, both in pas- 

 turing and manuring. Manures, if used while fresh, should be ploughed-in in 

 the fall ; but for very sandy lands are best to be well rotted. But in a small 

 way, as for gardens and the like, clay should by all means be employed — to be 

 carted on in the fall, and exposed to the frosts of winter before ploughing in. Of 

 course the utmost benefit will only be derived by perfectly mixing the sand and 

 clay together — sufficient clay being used to bring the soil to a ]M-oper consistence. 

 Mulching on such soils Avould, doubtless, be of the greatest service, especially in 

 the case of fruit trees. 



Heavy clay soils should be tempered by the addition of sand, the ploughing 

 in of green crops, long manures, ckc. ; clover lays and grass swards, are of great 

 utility in supplying lively vegetable matter. In planting trees on such soils, 

 great care must be taken not to get them too deep, or in hollows, as the cold, 

 clammy soil packs about the roots, strangling and starving them. In the case of 

 some plants, it may be necessary in planting them on very heavy soils, to put in 

 the bottom of the holes a thorough drainage of small stones, brick-bats, or the 

 like, to relieve the roots from the surplus moisture. If there is any inclination 

 to springiness, or stagnant moisture, the land must be thoroughly drained for fruit 

 trees. On lands inclining to clay, especially with a gravelly subsoil near the 

 surface — and there is not a little such in the West — we would again beg to 

 recommend mulching; for which any kind of straw, or hay, or refuse litter, may 

 be used. Kew manure, of course, makes the strongest. 



In regard to the use of manure in the cultivation of trees, there are but few of 

 our lands so rich as not to be benefitted by manure, whether planted to nurseries 

 or orchards; and with nnich of our soil it is quite indispensable to success, 

 with at least the apple. The pear, plum, quince, and common red cherry, are 

 also greatly benefitted on most of our soils by a greater or less quantity, as the 



