62 



breathless silence and my readers may imagine my disap- 

 pointment when I was informed that although different 

 combinations were present still all that was apparent was 

 a slight diminution in the amount of Phosphoric Acid, Sul~ 

 puric Acid and of Lime. I was anxious for further advice 

 so I ventured to press the subject of the vacancy difficulty 

 somewhat lengthily for explanation, and was met with the 

 stereotyped reply that in practice, the condition, and not 

 the amount, of certain constituents of the soil, influence its 

 fertility. We then proceeded to examine the result of the 

 Mechanical analysis and this showed very marked differ- 

 ences between the two samples. The soluble matter in the 

 virgin soil was of course greatly in excess and after 

 incineration, the residuum was infinitely less than that 

 of the soil which had been frequently cropped, In this 

 I was informed I might recognize, one at least, of the 

 most telling reasons of failure, and since in practice I 

 have found such to t^e true. Although undoubtedly, I do 

 not for an instant think that the mere presence of an excess 

 of organic matter would constitute fertility, yet I am 

 decidedly of opinion that for many reasons such is a 

 requisite essential of any soil otherwise suited for the 

 cultivation of coffee. Humus is not only the most hygro- 

 metric soil constituent, but it tends to reduce any 

 cohesive tendency that may exist it is the great 

 reserve fund for the production of Carbonic Acid, the 

 active agent for preparing plant food; and by its dark color 

 secures for a soil the full benefit of the sun's rays. The de- 

 composition of Humus however must be continuous, yet 

 gradual, and hence, the absolute necessity of clearly appre- 

 ciating the wide difference between a soil that holds mois- 

 ture merely in diffused suspension, aud one that rapidly be- 

 comes saturated and persistently retains it in bulk like a 

 sponge. The soil in a virgin forest is granular and sweet, 

 it roadily absorbs water, and has the power of retaining a 

 sufficient amount of moisture without preventing the per- 

 meation of air. A soil out of condition readily takes up 

 water also, but once saturated it remains so until such is ac- 



