The Problem of Impoverished Lands. 115 



Most soils, even tliougli unproductive, contain plant-food in large 

 quantities, but it is in such condition or chemical form that plants 

 cannot get it. 



18. Is it true that your soil is capable of being made an active 

 labor ato7'y in vjhlch changes will take place and some of this 

 unavailable plant food be madeusahlef 



It is onlv when the soil is in such condition that certain changes 

 can take place, that the unavailable plant-food becomes available to 

 the plant. 



19. Are you aware that lohen the texture of your soil is poor, or 

 in other words, your laboratory is out of order, the best commercial 

 fertilizers or stable manures will not give the best results f 



The texture or ph3'sical condition of the soil is of first importance. 

 A stone contains plant-food, but it will not grow crops because of 

 its physical and chemical condition. 



20. Do you knovj that heat and air are important agencies in 

 the changes going on in the soil, as they also are in the changes in 

 a barrel of cider or in yeast in a pan of dough f 



Chemical changes in the soil cannot take place to the best advan- 

 tage when the air is excluded, or when certain definite temperature 

 cannot be maintained. 



21. Does standing water on soil have a detrimental or beneficial 

 effect on the heat and air f Why f 



Detrimental, because it keeps the temperature too low and excludes 

 the air; and soil texture is impaired. 



22. Hovj can you make the soil laboratory do the best work f 

 By making and preserving the best physical condition possible. 



NO. 2. TILLAGE AND UNDER-DRAINAGE I REASONS WHY. 



1. What proportion of fai^mers in your neighborhood farm it 

 like Mr. Black? 



Apply the test to yourself, and see if you are using good, economi- 

 cal business methods in carrying on your farm. 



2. IIoio is farming to be made to pay, — by getting higher prices 

 07' by cheapening cost of production f 



Prices are largely beyond our control ; the cost of production very 

 largely rests with us. At least, this is true within certain limits. 



