124 AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



Organic matter rendered soluble by ammonia, % 3140 



&quot; - 4P 1.030 



&quot; remaining with insoluble residue, - 1.720 



Insoluble silicates, - 1 - . 83.010 



100 parts of the insoluble residue gave 59 parts silicioue, and 41 parts 



clayey matter. 



Water, hygroscopic and combined, ... 3.500 



Resinous and waxy matter, ----- .03G 

 The most striking fact in connection with these soils is the exceeding 



fineness of their particles, 



A deep rich mellow soil, in which the roots can freely extend 

 a great distance in depth and laterally ; and where, owing to tho 

 fineness of the soil, they will not be injured by drought, nor hid 

 den from the heat of the sun, and from atmospheric influence, 

 is what the corn grower should provide for this crop. A com 

 pact clay which excludes alike air, water, and rapid growth of 

 roots, forbidding all chemical changes, is not the soil for corn. 

 As it grows rapidly it requires a constant supply of food, and 

 this can only be attained where there is water enough to act as a 

 solvent to the solids. As will have been observed in the inor 

 ganic analyses, the per centage of ash in corn is comparatively 

 small, organic matter and water forming the great mass of the 

 tissue. 



292. A great variety of manures are applied to this crop ac 

 cording to the requirements of the soil. Organic manures, 

 barn-yard dung and such like are those which will most gen 

 erally prove serviceable ; and next to these, decayed vegetable 

 matter. In consequence, corn is found to succeed well on grass 

 or clover sod. Of the inorganic manures, dissolved bones, un- 

 leached wood ashes, salt, and plaster, promise to do good, if the 

 soil is deficient in these elements. 



293. When corn is planted on sod, (a,) spread manure on 

 the grass; (bj plow deep, laying the furrow flat; (c,) roll, and 

 (d,) harrow with a long sharp toothed harrow, or a cultivator, 

 till the surface is rendered friable two or three inches or more, 



