GOOD HUSBANDRY. 79 



field ; not because the sunshine and heat do not come down upon it ; 

 no, these factors are all present, and not one of them which the field 

 possesses is wanting ; but solely because, b}' constant travel over it, it 

 has become a solid mass of earth, through which no root of plant 

 can force its way. The food is there, but it is quite beyond the power 

 of vegetation to reach it. 



When men and animals are hungry, they start out seeking for food, 

 and if they cannot obtain it they must starve. Food may be right 

 at hand, but if unavailable, it might as well be a thousand miles awa\'. 

 So with the roots of vegetation ; the^' cannot go through the solid 

 earth after nourishment, though it may be there in abundance as it is 

 in the road-bed. This plant food might as well be in the Chincha 

 Islands as in the road-bed close at hand for all the benefit it will be 

 to vegetation, and so it must starve to death right in the midst of all 

 the elements necessary for its life and growth. 



This, of course, is an extreme illustration, and its parallel would 

 not occur on our farms ; but 1 chose it because I wanted to make 

 a strong point in favor of plowing, the direct eflfect of which fs to 

 keep the ground open and porous, so that the air and rain and heat 

 mav circulate freelv through it. 



There are other reasons why plowing is necessary. Every few 

 3-ears the soil needs disintegrating and readjusting, so to speak. 

 Some of its fertilizing material has disappeared in the several crops 

 which have been taken from it, thus breaking up and disturbing ite 

 relationship. These crops have drawn more heavil}' upon some por- 

 tions than others, so that an equilibrium of elements no longer exists. 

 The readjustment is readily accomplished and the equilibrium restored 

 by plowing and cultivating. In this manner the physical condition 

 of the soil is changed ; the particles change places, are thoroughly 

 mixed up and brought into harmonious relationship, where each is in 

 condition to contribute to the necessities of growing vegetation. 

 Thus it is seen that plowing not only lightens the soil, but thor- 

 oughly mixes it, and, in the absence of manure, which is, of course, 

 indispensable, leaves it in the best possible condition for the produc- 

 tion of any crop that will grow upon it. 



Now in conclusion, I want to say just a few words for the encour- 

 agement of farmers ; for I find there are a few chronic declaimers 

 against farming, men who are constantly finding fault with it because 

 they think it is not so profitable as some other kinds of business. 

 They complain that farmers have a hard time of it, and receive but 



