LECT. ii THE SOIL 39 



cated by arrows), that is so urgently needed by trees, 

 plants, and crops in dry weather. This is a matter 

 of so much importance that it will be referred to 

 again ; in the meantime it is hoped that information 

 has been imparted that will be of service to many in 

 the management of their gardens or allotments. 



4. What does Soil do for the Tiller? This 

 may be answered in a sentence. It depends on what 

 the tiller does for the soil. He must regard it as a 

 larder for containing food for crops. It must be 

 sweet by the action of air and it must be clean. If 

 the larder is bare the soil poor crops languish ; if 

 the land is foul with weeds, when useful crops are 

 growing, they steal the food which should support 

 those crops. Waste (loss) is the penalty of soil 

 exhaustion ; an abundant yield (profit) the reward 

 of high cultivation. 



QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 



Q. Can you give an idea as to how we may know whether 

 land needs draining or not ? 



A. Certain weeds afford guidance ; for instance, if rushes 

 grow freely drainage is undoubtedly required and will do great 

 good. 



Q. But if there are no rushes how are we to know whether 

 there is too much, water in the land or not ? 



A. Dig a hole or pit here and there three feet deep in the 

 autumn, pile the soil round it and lay a board across to keep 

 rain or surface water out ; then if water collect and stand for 

 any length of time drainage is needed. 



Q. What depth of water should we take to guide us in th 

 matter and how deep should drains be laid ? 



A. If the water does not rise to within two feet of the sur- 

 face, most kinds of vegetables may be grown very well ; but foi 

 fruit culture it should not stand within three feet of the surface, 

 and pipe drains should be laid, very firmly and evenly, three and 

 a half feet deep to prevent its doing so, When pipes are 



