54 TALKS ABOUT THE SOIL. 



time, and money, on work in caring for plants, and is 

 a commercial or business advantage. 



If you carry out the experiment with seeds planted 

 on sand, you will observe that the roots of the young 

 plants easily find their way into the sand in search of 

 food and water. This shows us that a soil containing 

 sand is favorable to the growth of plants, because in it 

 their roots easily spread in every direction. 



Procure a small lump of pure clay from some clay- 

 bank or brick-yard, or purchase a piece of moulding- 

 clay from the dealer in art-materials. Place it in a 

 warm place to dry, and in a day or two it becomes 

 like a soft, impalpable powder. Pinch a little of it 

 between the fingers, and it appears to stick together 

 slightly. Place some in a bottle of water, cork it tight, 

 and shake the bottle. The gray powder floats in the 

 water in clouds, till the water appears completely filled 

 with it. Let the bottle stand, and it will be many 

 hours before it settles and the water becomes clear. 

 Wet some of the dry clay, and it forms a sticky, pasty 

 mass, that has a soft, greasy feeling in the fingers. 

 Spread some of the soft, paste-like mass over a sieve, 

 and pour water upon it, and the water will hardly pass 

 through the sieve at all. Spread some of the wet clay 

 over a rough board, and pour water over it, and the 

 clay will cling to the board for a long time before it is 

 swept away. Place a lump of the wet clay in the sun, 

 and it will be many hours before it dries. Spread 

 some of the wet clay on a dish, and place it in the 

 sun, and when it slowly dries it will be found full of 



