Natural Laws. 459 



profitable crop. The tobacco may have robbed our soil of 

 constituents much more valuable for the growth of future 

 crops than the value of the extra amount received for the 

 crop itself. 



We must know and appreciate the fact that the farmer's 

 wealth is based upon tlie plant food deposited in his soil. If 

 we ignorantly or purposely draw upon tliat deposit until it 

 is exhausted, we, as farmers, must become bankrupt. Nat- 

 ural laws, indeed, aid us in the restoration, but by too slow 

 a process to answer our purpose. We must, like the banker, 

 husband our deposits, and learn to make the most of them; 

 to raise such varieties of crops as will bring the best pecuni- 

 ary returns after deducting the cost of seed and labor, and 

 also replacing the draft upon our deposits. 



PREPARATION OF SOILS. 



It is ours to understand what mechanical condition of our 

 soils will promote the most rapid growth, and best protect 

 ■our crops from extremes of both drought and moisture, and 

 how to prepare them in such a manner that the rootlets of 

 our plants may readily penetrate them in search of food and 

 moisture. It is practicable to so prepare them that they will 

 support a luxuriant growth of vegetation, when other fields 

 present by drought a parched and withered appearance, or, 

 from excessive moisture, a dwarfed and sickly herbage ; to 

 provide against any unnecessary delay in sowing our seeds 

 in spring, and thereby cause so early maturity as not to 

 endanger our crops by frost. 



LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



Our dwellings, whether expensive and elegant, or cheap 



