CHAPTER V 



Why Soils Must Be Handled 

 Differently 



THE soil is the farmer's working capital. It is neces- 

 sary that this capital be used in the wisest possible 

 manner to earn the profit which justly belongs to him. 

 Carelessly handling the soil results in a loss just exactly 

 in the same manner as the mishandling of working 

 capital results in loss to a manufacturer. The broad 

 business principle underlying manufacturing and farm- 

 ing is identical but the tools and working capital of the 

 two are widely separate and hence must be handled in a 

 manner peculiar to each before either can achieve 

 success. 



Soil is a combination of disintegrated rocks, dead vege- 

 tation and many living forms, such as bacteria and 

 fungi. Broadly speaking, soil may be regarded as 

 matter in which a planted seed can grow to maturity. 

 The difference between soil and earth or ground, from a 

 practical standpoint is so slight that the terms are 

 almost synonymous. 



When comparing the mode of life of the plant with 

 that of a human being, the soil around the plant may be 

 regarded as the dining room in which the plant eats, the 

 kitchen in which its food is prepared, the storehouse 

 where the food elements are kept in reserve, a reservoir 

 for the water and a ventilating system. When one 

 reflects upon the numerous results this working capital 

 is supppsed to produce, the more concerned one becomes 

 as to how it should be treated. 



