HUJft; f&amp;gt; i f PREPARATION OF LANDS. 



\ I &amp;lt; I F( ) f / v j CHAPTER XIV. 



PREPARATION OF LANDS. 



415. A texture or mechanical condition of the soil 

 favorable to plant growth is especially necessary. The 

 mechanical condition of the soil is its condition in respect 

 to looseness or compactness, hardness or mellowness, 

 coarseness or fineness, without reference to the chemical 

 substances contained in it. 



416. Few soils are naturally in the mechanical condition 

 best suited for cultivation, though different soils vary very 

 much in this respect. Hence it is as necessary to use the 

 right means to put the soil into the proper mechanical 

 condition, as to apply manure to improve the land in the 

 other modes above referred to. 



417. The soil must be mellow, so that the roots of 

 plants can penetrate freely and the air can circulate 

 through it, but still firm enough to hold the roots in their 

 position. It must admit the heat of the sun, and yet 

 hold moisture enough for the wants of the plant. 



418. Most soils require to be well pulverized before 

 they allow the roots of plants to penetrate and grow 

 freely, or permit the circulation of the atmospheric air, 

 and if they arc not so pulverized and mellow, they do 

 not readily take up and carry off the water which falls in 

 ruin or comes from other sources. This water often 

 washes away the surface of the soil, or remains stagnant, 

 causing much injury to vegetation. 



419. The manner in which land must be prepared for 

 cultivation, differs very much in different cases, varying 



