144 HORTICULTURE LECT. x 



in those who have experienced its benefits and good 

 influences. Our desire is that this interest which 

 becomes active, shall impel to steady and continuous 

 endeavour in aiding the earth to yield its full 

 increase ; and when the art is fully acquired and 

 generally exercised, this native land of ours ought, 

 and we believe will, become one of the most fertile 

 spots on earth, and win the proud title of the garden 

 of the world. 



Even now with ordinary methods of working, the 

 average return per acre of our useful crops of grain 

 and roots is greater than in any other kingdom in 

 Europe or State in America. That is a significant 

 fact and distinctly encouraging. 



Our ideal, then, high as it is, is attainable. Our 

 natural advantages are great, and artificial obstacles 

 will steadily vanish, seeing there is now such a great 

 desire among the different sections of the community 

 for the development of the resources of the country 

 for the good of all. In this work, and with that 

 object, the Surrey County Council has taken a noble 

 lead, and it is earnestly to be hoped results will 

 eventually be produced that will justify their action. 



Let us now recapitulate in the form of a brief 

 summary some of the chief points in these lectures. 



The advantages of deepening the soil have been ex- 

 plained. The food store is then increased, and right 

 and wrong methods of increasing it were described, 

 in smashing up the subsoil, but not bringing much to 

 the surface at once. 



It should not be forgotten that the importance of 

 keeping a loose surface by hoeing in spring and 

 summer was strongly enforced in spring, for ad- 

 mitting warmth from the sun ; in summer, for pre- 

 venting the escape of moisture by evaporation. It is 

 impossible to attach too much importance to the use 



