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and suited to the growth of difterent products. The substratum under the sur- 

 face and subsoils, as is (nidenced in digging wells, changes in some localities 

 from a pure sand to a stitl' clay, requiring in the one case a strong curbing, in 

 the other none at all, and within short distances of each other. The knowledare' 

 of the character of the soil is necessary to cultivate it aright, and to insure 

 a certain return crop. The failure in production is more owing to the misappli- 

 cation of seed to its appropriate soil than is generally imagined. Potatoes have 

 grown well the last season in a sandy soil, when they have failed and rotted in a 

 stiff clay. The Agricultural Societies of this State are organized to present the 

 essays made by the agriculturist in every kind of culture, to make known the 

 best mode of tillage, of making and applying manures, and the most improved 

 mode of husbandry in its largest extent. Every farmer ought to lend his aid to 

 these Societies which are formed in all agi'icultural districts, and which, through 

 the medium of agricultural papers, ai'e cheaply disseminating that knowledge 

 which all culti^atoi's of land require. 



Writers on agriculture mention four kinds of earths which enter into the com- 

 position of soil. These earths they term primitive, because there are only four 

 kinds, viz. — clay, sand, hme, and magnesia. The latter ingredient is seldom 

 found, but the former three are every where abundant. The coat, or outer cover- 

 ing of the earth, denominated soil, is found to consist of a mixture of these 

 earths, forming a stratum or layer varying from a few inches to several feet in 

 depth, and takes its color from the admixture with it of the decomposed animal 

 and vegetable substance upon its surface. This decomposition of vegetable and 

 animal matter is termed mould, and the fertility of the soil is indicated by the 

 greater or smaller proportion of mould which enters into their composition. 

 Beneath this upper stratum of soil, in which plants are produced, is a mass of 

 earth to which the term subsoil is applied, and is distinguished by the absence 

 of mould, or vegetable and animal matter in a state of decomposition ; and on 

 the nature of this subsoil depends much of the value of the surface soil. These 

 primitive earths although when combined form a fertile soil, yet in their simple 

 and pure state individually are entirely barren. A plant '^1 not grow in clay, 

 sand, or lime, in their pure or original state ; but when these earths are combined 

 in proper proportions with each other, they constitute the most productive soils. 

 It is important, therefore, to the farmer to ascertain the relati\'e combinations of 

 the various earths in the farm he is to till, so as to be able to cure any defects in 

 his soil. There is no mode of improving the fertility of a soil so permanently effi- 

 cacious as that of adding to the land a proportion of the earthy ingredient of which 

 it is natui'ally deficient. If the soil is clayey and too adhesive when soaked with 

 rain, it then dries and bakes, it may be improved by the application of lime, sand, 

 or animal manures. If the soil is too saudy or silicious, and too porous to retain 



