No. 63.J 111 



tained for the use of plants, but if not covered, are dissipated and 

 lost to the farmer. A little attention to the question of the condi- 

 tion of the manures used, might have prevented many of those con- 

 troversies that have arisen on the point whether manures are the 

 most eifectiv€ covered or merely spread on the surface. Manure, 

 fully fermented and rotted, gives off no gases; and as the humus it 

 contains is soluble, if mixed with the earth containing the seeds, or 

 if only spread on the suiface, they are sure to receive the whole 

 benefit of its application. On the other hand, if the manure is ap- 

 plied unfermented and uncovered, a certain loss of nutritive matter 

 ensues to the farmer. The fact then seems to be, that fully rotted 

 manure may be covered or not, at the pleasure of the user; while 

 the unrotted should always be covered; but no manure deeply. 



All soils intended for seeds, should be mellow, deep and fine, be- 

 p e aration of ^°''® *^^ seeds are sown or planted. They should be 

 Soils for Seeds, mellow, that the roots of the plants, as well as the 

 young shoots, may penetrate them readily; they should be deep that 

 the roots may have ample range for pasture and for security against 

 drouth; they must be fine, as the power of absorption and conduct- 

 ing moisture is mainly depending on this circumstance. In addition 

 to these, they must be rich; that is, they must contain an abundant 

 supply of matter for the formation of the new plant. All wet soils 

 are cold and heavy. Draining will make them warm, light or fria- 

 ble, and the plow then will make them mellow and deep. It is be- 

 lieved more injury results to the farmer from an excess of water in 

 his soils, than from all other causes combined. On such, manures 

 are comparatively inert; and cultivation only renders them more dead 

 and unfertile. Draining is the first, and the great step in the pre- 

 paration of the soil for crops; this done, all the rest is simple and 

 easy. On the plow, the farmer justly relies for the preparation of 

 his soil for crops, and it can scarcely be used too efTectively, never 

 if the soil is in that condition which alone can justify the expecta- 

 tion of first rate crops. The use of the plow makes the soil mellow 

 and fine, and if well managed, will give a depth sufficient for the 

 growth of most cultivated plants. If farmers were generally sensi- 

 ble how much of their success was depending on the preparation of 

 their soils, on the plowing, cleaning, manuring, &c. there would 

 not be so many failures, and the quantity and quality of our harvests 

 •would be materially changed for the better. When the soil has been 



