22 VERMONT AGRICULTURAL, REPORT. 



these germs with the most powerful microscopes we have learned 

 to recognize in them real plants which require for their life 

 and helpful activity in the soil, tillage and drainage to remove 

 water, admit air, decaying vegetable matter, to provide food and 

 furnish uniform moisture, and finally sweetness as contrasted 

 with acidity. It is surprising to one who has not tested it what 

 a large proportion of the long cropped, old grass lands in New 

 England are somewhat sour and success upon all such soils must 

 be conditioned upon first correcting this acidity. For this pur- 

 pose a liberal dressing of lime or better ashes — which furnish 

 both potash and lime — is called for. 



