THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOILS. 41 



CHAPTER IV. 

 The Improvement of Soils. 



THE improvement of soils may be regarded as of two 

 kinds, first physical, and second chemical ; though this 

 classification is not always well defined. Frequently an 

 improvement in the physical character of soils is also 

 accompanied by important chemical changes. The im- 

 provement of soils due to natural causes, while consider- 

 able in the aggregate, is insignificant, in point of time, 

 compared with that which may be secured by the farmer 

 through artificial means. The true aim of the farmer 

 should be to bring the soil into a condition to produce 

 crops which are well adapted to his location, and which 

 are as large as the average conditions of climate and 

 season will permit. 



The first point to determine is whether the land is 

 worth improving ; the kind of crops that can be raised, and 

 their probable market value, must guide in this respect. 



Physical Imperfection. One of the chief imperfec- 

 tions in natural soils, aside from their chemical character, 

 is in respect to water ; they contain too much or too 

 little. If too much, the imperfections may be in many 

 cases corrected by proper drainage ; if too little, by 

 adding water or such materials as may increase the 

 absorbing and retaining power of soil for water. 



