IMPROVEMENT OF SOILS. 8 1 



first it may seem doubtful if there is any immediate 

 effect on a sod-land by turning the sod over and expos- 

 ing a part of the soil to the air. We can prove that 

 there is an improvement in the course of a few hours, 

 by means of a simple experiment. Find a plant in a 

 greenhouse or the window, say a small verbena, or 

 other quick-growing plant, that has been neglected 

 for some time. A green mould has grown over the 

 top of the soil in the pot ; and with a small stick we 

 dig this up, stirring and breaking up the soil for an 

 inch or two deep. Keep the plant in the same place 

 as before, and give it no more light or warmth, and 

 it will show in a single day a decided change. It will 

 be greener and brighter, and be materially improved 

 in appearance. If not too much injured by neglect, 

 it will begin to grow rapidly within twenty-four hours. 

 Observe, we give no more water than usual : in fact, 

 the plant will need less water. We give it no more 

 heat or sunshine ; and yet it looks better, and soon 

 begins to grow afresh. We are obliged to think that 

 the breaking-up of the mat of moss on the top of the 

 soil, and the exposure of the soil to the air, does in 

 some way improve the plant. The plant itself may be 

 untouched, and yet it plainly shows that the work upon 

 the soil, or" the tillage, has affected its life and health. 

 One effect is to remove the crust or mat of moss on 

 top of the soil, and to expose the surface to the air. 

 Another effect is, that, the soil being loosened, the 

 air can penetrate the soil through countless little 

 cracks and holes. The water also easily finds its way 



