92 TALKS ABOUT THE SOIL. 



times, see if this gain at the usual market-rates will 

 cover or exceed the cost of the extra tillage, and how 

 much. 



5. Procure two bean-poles, and set them up in the 

 ground about six feet apart. Plant at the foot of each 

 a few seeds of convolvulus minor tricolor. When the 

 plants appear, number one pole No. i, and the other 

 No. 2 ; and rake or hoe the soil lightly for a space 

 of three feet round No. i. Leave No. 2 untouched. 

 After that, rake the soil about No. i twice every week, 

 on pleasant days, and leave No. 2 untouched except to 

 pull up the larger weeds. Measure the height of each 

 vine once a week, for eight weeks from the day the 

 seeds are planted. Record these measurements, and 

 compare the results. 



In these experiments, the effect is more striking 

 if the soil is untouched since the previous season. 

 Plough or spade up for lot No. i, but only scratch the 

 surface with the hoe sufficiently to get the seeds into 

 the ground. These experiments are easy, and the 

 results interesting. It is quite possible they will not 

 always show any difference between the cultivated 

 plants and those that are neglected, but in the majority 

 of instances there will be a difference in favor of the 

 plants that are tilled. In some experiments, the dif- 

 ference will be very small ; still, it is advisable to try 

 the work, because it will be pretty sure to teach some- 

 thing. Whichever experiment you perform, take the 

 utmost pains with every thing. See that the two lots 

 are as nearly alike as possible at the beginning. If a 



