180 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



locally to interfere with the growth of a given crop, as the prevalence- 

 of insects, or some other equally deleterious temporary influence. 

 These special cases, however, are not those we have in view, and 

 hence will not aflfect the truth of our proposition, that the particular 

 adaptations of certain bells of country require farther investigation 

 than they have hitherto received. 



The condition and composition of a soil are important points of 

 inquiry; inasmuch as upon tiiese, and a few oiher modifying causes, 

 depends the peculiar adaptation in any given instance, and the ca- 

 pability of being fitted for any given product in its highest state of 

 perfection. It is proper, however, to proceed with greater particu- 

 larity, and enumerate the most important circumstances wdiich mo- 

 dify, or in fact create conditions, that adapt soils for certain kinds 

 of crops. It is proper to say that causes operate in very different 

 degrees, or they are not by any means of equal power ; and it will 

 probably be found that some, which have heretofore been but little 

 thought of, act with greater effect than has been suspected. Of the 

 circumstances which modify the adaptations of soil, it is considered 

 that the presence of sand, clay, and of many of the earths, are 

 among the chief. In addition to these, the character of the subsoil, 

 and of the surface rock, are quite important. Then, again, climate 

 is not to be left out of the list of modifying causes. Only a shght 

 variation in this particular may in many instances forbid the culti- 

 vation of crops, which, at a little distance only, are profitable. But 

 in considering the crops adapted to a particular region, it is un- 

 doubtedly proper to make the following distinction, namely : those 

 which will grow tolerably well, and really ripen their seeds or fruit;? 

 and those which reach a high state of perfection (the quality of the 

 first class being inferior to that of the second). Now here is a case 

 which requires a nice judgment, and the question of profit comes 

 up ; and it is on the question ot profit alone that the farmer is to 

 decide whether he will grow this particular crop, or some other. 

 It is not whether it will grow and make something ; for it is some- 

 times the case that the whole question of profit turns upon the 

 difference of value between a good article and a middling one, and 

 it may be supposed that the difference of expense in cultivation will 

 be in favor of the good article. Tiiis will appear to be true, when 

 we consider that where nature has done her work well, there is less 

 left for man to do : he is saved much labor and expense in pre- 



