PRACTICAL FARMING 



CHAPTER I 



THE SOIL 



y4 GRICULTURE, or farming, is an art that in- 

 IJ\ eludes the character and formation of the soil as 

 X JL well as its proper tillage to make it prpductive 

 in the crops needed by mankind. When we look around 

 us and see the great variety of conditions as to soils and 

 climates, and the composition and origin of the cultivated 

 soil, as well as the conformation of the surface and the 

 great variety of plant growth which arises under these 

 varied conditions, we realize that the art of farming is a 

 very complex one. 



Its complexity is such that we have to call in the aid of 

 a number of sciences to assist us in understanding agri- 

 cultural conditions. Geology tells us something of the 

 origin, formation anci conformation of soils; chemistry 

 tells us of the elements that enter into their composition; 

 ■ botan;^ teaches us the nature of the plants that make up 

 our crops, and meteorology helps us to understand the 

 conditions of weather and cHmate, and their influences 

 in modifying land surfaces and in the promotion of plant 

 growth. 



