ADMIXTURE OF SOILS. 21 



decomposition, to their manure heaps, or to take pains to cure it. 

 and use it as feed for their stock, for which, when saved in a 

 proper condition, it is as good as the stubble or stover of Indian 

 corn, (zea mays.} The farmers of Long Island, New York, 

 have for years been in the habit of sending to the towns on the 

 sea-shore in New England, for the purchase of the spent or waste 

 ashes from the soap-boilers and others, and for which they pay 

 what is deemed a high price. They apply it to their wheat 

 lands, sown broadcast upon the young wheat, and say that, with 

 out it, they are not sure of a crop. The farmers in New Eng 

 land err in allowing it to be taken from them at any price, unless 

 they can find a substitute in guano, or some other manure as 

 portable. I speak of these facts, however, as showing the uni 

 versally admitted value of ashes as a manure, a subject to which 

 I shall refer again, when the important subject of manures is 

 treated, as designed. 



XCII. ADMIXTURE OF SOILS. 



One of the most common and obvious suggestions, in the im 

 provement of the soil, is that of rendering, as far as practicable, 

 plastic and adhesive soils free and permeable ; and, on the other 

 hand, that of making those soils, which are loose and light, close 

 and compact. In the former case, in order to effect the desired 

 object, draining has been applied with great success, and must 

 be regarded as the basis of such improvements. Without drain 

 ing, indeed, arid a complete riddance of the superfluous wetness 

 and moisture, little is ever to be hoped for in any case. In order 

 to effect the latter object, rolling with heavy rollers, and es 

 pecially treading with sheep, have been resorted to ; and several 

 farmers, with whom I have had the pleasure of forming an ac 

 quaintance, abandon all expectation of a crop, unless the ground, 

 after being sown, is thoroughly trodden by sheep, which tread 

 ing, for the purpose specified, may be considered even as more 

 effectual than the application of the roller. 



But an improvement of a more substantial and permanent 

 character is attempted by what may be termed an &quot;admixture of 



