CULTIVATION. 187 



CHAPTER III. 



ADVANTAGES OF UNDEE-DKAINING. 



The advantages of niKler-draining are many and im- 

 portant. 



1. It greatly lessens the injurious effects of dronglit. 



2. It admits an increased supply of atmospheric 

 fertilizers, 



3. It warms the lower portions of the soil. 



4. It hastens the decomposition of roots and other 

 organic matter. 



5. It accelerates the disintegration of the minerals 

 in the soil. 



6. It causes a more even distribution of nutritioue 

 matters among those parts of soil traversed by roots. 



7. It improves the mechanical texture of the soil. 



8. It tends to prevent grasses from "running out." 



9. It enables us to deepen the surface soil. 

 By removing excess of water — 



10. It renders soils earlier in the spring. 



11. It greatly lessens the throwing ont of grain in 

 winter. 



12. It allows us to work sooner after rains, 



13. It keeps off" the effects of cold weather longer 

 in the fall. 



14. It prevents the formation of acetic and other 

 organic acids, which induce the growth of sorrel and 

 similar weeds. 



15. It hastens the decay of vegetable matter, and 



