CULTIVATION. 



rail, or an old brush-heap, he removed in sprin- lr.. m 

 soil where grass is growing, the gr :: ,. :ir ,| 



grows in those places much larger and Letter than 

 in other parts of the field. 



This improvement arises from various eana 



1. The evaporation of water from the -<>il ' 

 vented during drought by the shade ail'orded by tin- 

 mulch; and it is therefore kept in Letter condition, 

 as to moisture and temperature, than when evapora- 

 tion goes on more freely. This condition is well cal- 

 culated to advance the chemical ch. 



prepare the matters both organic and mineral in 

 the soil for the use of plants. 



2. A heavy mulch breaks the force of rail, 

 prevents them from compacting the M>il, a> would he 

 the result were no such precaution taken. 



3. Mulching protects the surface-soil from 

 ing as readily as when exposed, and thus ke-; 

 longer open for the admission of air and nioistmv. 

 "When unprotected, the soil early becomes fro/.en ; 

 and all water falling, instead of entering, as it should 

 do, passes off over the surface. 



5. The throwing out of winter grain is often pre- 

 vented, because this is due to the frequent free/ing 

 and thawing of the surface-soil. 



6. When the wet surface-soil freezes, it is raised up. 

 and the young plants growing in it are rai-ed with 

 it; when the frost is thawed out. the soil falls hack 

 to its original position, while parts of the crow: 

 roots of the crop remain raised. The next IV 

 takes hold of them lower down, and lifts them again ; 



