CHAPTER I 
SOILS 
earth or that compound substance which furnishes 
nutriment to plants, or which is particularly 
adapted to support and nourish them. 
Soil varies in depth from a few inches to several feet. 
Clay soils were produced, in part, by the wearing down 
and decomposition of rocks containing aluminous min- 
erals, as granite. Sandy soil consists of fine particles of 
stone placed where found, by the washing of water. 
Muck soil is produced by the decay of large quantities of 
vegetation. 
Clay and sandy soils were originally improved and 
made rich by the addition for centuries of vegetable mat- 
ter such as leaves, weeds and other vegetation. 
We agree with him who said “that the condition of 
the soil is of more importance than its character.” Any 
kind of soil, whether clay, sandy or muck, can be made 
to produce large crops if put in proper condition. 
While it is true that clay or heavy soils have more of 
the elements of plant growth in them, yet sandy or muck 
soils by proper treatment will produce as much, if not 
more, than the clay or heavy soils. 
In life’s battles the “ knowing how” is the entering 
wedge that opens the way to success. So it is in the 
19 
S = is defined as being the upper stratum of the 
r LIBRA 
NEW Y 
BOTAN 
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