ENGLISH AGRICULTURE. 35 



in solution to the lower strata of the soil, or is discharged by 

 drain- water. 



Vegetable matter is a proximate constituent of all fertile 

 soils. Looking at it broadly, it is of vast importance, but it is 

 of all the constituents of soils the least absolutely important. 

 It is the least indispensable of the proximate constituents of 

 soils. It is the only one, in fact, which could be actually 

 done without. Vegetable matter could not have existed 

 primarily in the soil, because it is the decayed remnants of 

 the produce of the soil. It is evidently therefore imported. 

 Lava soils are very fertile, although newly formed ; it may 

 have been only ejected from the volcano a few years pre- 

 viously in a molten state, and bereft of all organic matter. 

 It is therefore clear that organic matter scarcely can be 

 regarded as so indispensable as the other materials which 

 have been mentioned. 



Vegetable matter is sometimes spoken of as an indication 

 rather than a cause of fertility. But it is a cause of fertility 

 as well as an indication. It may be regarded rather as an 

 indication of fertility than as a cause, but it is a cause of 

 fertility notwithstanding. It is an indication of fertility 

 because a soil abounding in vegetable matter has proved 

 itself capable of supporting a vigorous vegetation. A soil 

 which grows a large amount of leaf and of stem must grow a 

 large amount of root. There is also the fall of the leaf and 



e restoration of the haulm and stubble, which all help to 

 ive vegetable matter to the soil. Such store of vegetable 

 matter argues capacity for growth. It shows that the soil 

 is capable. But vegetable matter is a cause of fertility 

 as well as a mere indication, because it contains nitrogen. 

 All organic matter, all remnants of animal or vegetable 

 matter, contain nitrogen. Therefore the organic matter in 

 the soil is a guarantee that it contains nitrogen. It is the 

 cause of the great richness of pasture grounds. Such 



D 2 



