GRAIN'S. 157 



plants will be lifted out of the grouucl by free^iing and tbawioo-- 

 after tlie surface soil has been renovated with clover and kept 

 ia an excellent state of fertility, by a judicious system of rota- 

 tion of crops for several successive seasons ; after the ground has 

 been plowed, replowed, and plowed again, and again, and again, 

 and tlien harrowed, scarified, teased witli the cultivator, and 

 fretted with the roller, and vexed with the clod crusher ; and 

 after every noxious weed has been exterminated, root and 

 branch, and their leaves, stems, and radicles nave been changed 

 into a fertile mould, the hopes of the ambitious husbandman 

 will not be realized in beholding a bountiful crop of the full 

 wheat in the ear, unless he has fattened the soil. In this lies the 

 grand secret of raising wheat. Yet very few, even of our best 

 farmers, understand that this is the chief requirement of the 

 soil, after every thing else, to appearance, has been done which 

 is really essential." 



How to fatten the soil, then, is a question of greatest import- 

 ance. It is by the applWation of wheat-producing material to 

 the soil in the previous rotation of crops. The base of clay 

 soils is alumina^ the great requisite for large heads and ful 

 kernels of wheat. The j)hosphatic materials contained in lime, 

 plaster, gypsum, bones, ashe.s, etc., are essential to the produc- 

 tion of the milk of which the kernel is formed. Silicia must 

 also be present to assist in making a healthy, bright, stiff straw, 

 that will maintain an erect position until the grain is harvested. 

 And all these elements must be in such a state that the roots 

 can appropriate them at once. The food must be prepared for 

 them. This can only be accomplished by applying them to 

 previous crops ; and no crop so well prepares food for wheat as 

 clover. Clover, then, cither plowed under or fed to fattening 

 stock, and the manure returned to the soil, is a prerequisite of 

 successful wheat culture. Lime or plaster sliould be sown with 



