124 OBSERVATIONS ON SOILS. 



of the plant, and the degree of improvement to which it has been 

 advanced from its natural condition. As an instance, the rose, 

 growing in its wild state, is often found on a thin loose soil, often 

 where there can be little organic substance near it, and the conse- 

 quence is its poor appearance ; yet is there sufficient for its few 

 flowers, with fewer petals. But plant beside it one of our most 

 improved double roses, and allow it the same amount of proper 

 nutriment, and it will soon dwindle back to its original. Extra 

 developments must be provided with extra support. 



Soil must not only be porous and nutritive, but also fresh. If 

 kept iu a confined place, not exposed to the influence of the weather, 

 it has, especially if rich, a tendency to become mouldy ; and in this 

 state it exerts a most baneful effect on the roots of plants. Frost is 

 one of the principal agents in the preparation and melioration of the 

 soil; it expels the deleterious effluvia that frequently exists in them, 

 especially when it is kept in large piles. We advise amateurs to let 

 no opportunity of exposing their soils to frost pass without taking 

 advantage of it. It gives to it an openness and freshness, which, if 

 neglected, no other agent can perform. 



From these remarks it is easy to gather, that our principal soil is 

 that of nature's own providing. Decomposed vegetation is the fit 

 and proper food of plants ; and the quantity of that to be regulated 

 by the nature and demands of the plant. 



When plants cultivated in pots or tubs become large, and are but 

 seldom shifted, they should be top-dressed with compost, containing 

 a great proportion of proper food. It may be used here much grosser 

 in its nature ; as, not coming in direct contact with the roots, its 

 virtues are washed down in moderate supplies. 



We shall close these remarks with a few words on charcoal. This 

 is a substance of immense value to plant cultivators. Independent 

 of its value in keeping the soil open and porous, and keeping up a 

 constant communication between the air and the roots, it has the 

 power of rapidly absorbing any extra supply of moisture or carbonic 

 acid that may exist in the soil ; and not only prevents those elements 

 from doing injury, but retains them until wanted by the roots. It 

 thus acts as a reservoir for the escape of extra stimulants. We advise 

 its use universally. It forms, for the above reasons, the best 

 drainage for plants ; but it should also be scattered in the body of the 

 soil. 





