PRACTICAL MODE OF TESTING THE SOIL. Ill 



He may not have achieved a very remarkable 

 crop, as to the aggregate number of bushels, but he 

 has accomplished a more important object. He has 

 not been aiming at a large present yield. He has 

 merely been laying the foundation for many boun- 

 tiful and remunerating crops during many years to 

 come. Still the chances of a large product are all 

 in his favor, even for the current year. 



It is not only probable, but nearly certain, that, 

 while he has been solving questions of permanent 

 importance to his farm and to his future crops, he 

 has at the same time obtained more than an aver- 

 age yield. While gathering an ample harvest of corn, 

 he has gathered along with it a still more ample har- 

 vest of valuable information. 



The trial crop here described, and the experiments 

 embraced in it, are suggested, as one out of many 

 plans, that will doubtless occur to the mind of the 

 practical farmer. Those who find the subject of suffi- 

 cient interest, will very likely be able to improve upon 

 these hints. But the one essential idea that the au- 

 thor desires to impress upon the mind of the farming 

 reader is, that the system here illustrated is capable 

 of great expansion, and of an infinite variety in its 

 application. 



Single and isolated experiments, however useful 

 in themselves, give no adequate idea of the increased 

 effect that may be produced by a series of them, 

 when ingeniously combined and accurately performed. 

 In the hands of a skilful cultivator, a true method 

 or system of experiments may become an invaluable 



