41 



CHAPTER 5, 



SOIL, 



Although it would be impossible to lay down any fixed 

 rule to euable a person to judge definitely as to the suita- 

 bility of a given soil without subjecting the same to both 

 Chemical and Mechanical analysis still for ordinary purposed 

 a fair estimate of any soil may be made by attention to cer- 

 tain observations as to condition > texture and appearance at 

 the same time being careful to ascertain its origin; depth, 

 and foundation. Technically speaking, however the hygro- 

 metric properties of soils, materially influence their fertility 

 in practical cultivation, and such properties may again be 

 modified or intensified by Aspect, Elevation^ degree of Solar 

 exposure and Mechanical operations ; facts which as materi- 

 ally affecting the welfare of the enterprise should always 

 command the most careful attention. 



The coffee-planter's beau -ideal of a good soil is a deep, 

 moderately firm admixture of loam and Silicious particles of 

 disintegrated rocks containing the chemical elements of 

 plant food necessary for maintaining the Coffee plant iu 

 health and vigor. The principal elements necessary are 

 Lime, Potash, Soda and Phosphoric Acid, but it is vain to 

 hope for success by merely ascertaining the presence of 

 these necessaries as the fertility of a soil alone depends on 

 the peculiar state or condition in which they are present. 

 Quantity must be to a certain extent sacrificed for quality 

 in judging of the value of the various constituents contained 

 in a given soil and primary attention must be given to the 

 state of combination in which they are found. The greatest 

 difference exists between soils formed by the decomposition 

 or disentegration of various rocks and thus we are greatly 

 assisted by knowing that the soils resulting from Limestone . 

 are physically poor and ill- bodied ; those from Sand fstone 



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