75 



with it; when bought by measure hair and other light 

 substances which prevent it settling heavily are added. 

 The only safe ground on which to purchase is by 

 analysis, and the amount of nitrogen present regulates 

 its value. Good soot exercises a beneficial mechanical 

 influence on the soil, and this is felt for some years 

 after its application. The, high regard in which soot 

 is held by market gardeners is largely due to the 

 mechanical property it possesses of making the land 

 work more kindly and of retaining moisture. From 

 40 to 100 bushels of soot are commonly applied to land 

 cropped with potatoes. 



Lime is necessary for the crop, . and if it is not 

 present must be applied. Insect attacks are not so 

 common on land well supplied with lime as on that 

 where it is deficient. It should be applied in autumn 

 or winter, when the land lies fallow. 



Manurial Requirements of the Soil. 



Land which has been farmed under ordinary con- 

 ditions generally contains a considerable amount of 

 vegetable matter or humus, consequently artificial 

 manures have a striking effect on it ; but if the land is 

 subjected to a system of cropping which exhausts this, 

 the effect is less marked. The beneficial effect of dung 

 is also less marked on land rich in humus. To make a 

 definite statement, giving a mixture which is suitable 

 alike to all soils, is out of the question. The matter 

 must be treated broadly, and each case considered on 

 its own merits. The solubility of the dung has been 



