40 Soft-Makers 



to others where their good qualities can be turned to 

 the best account. 



The richest soil in the world is of little use on a lofty 

 mountain-top, for none but lowly plants can stand the 

 cold and exposure, and anything to be called luxuriant 

 vegetation is impossible. Take even the case of the 

 Cheviot Hills. They cannot be called lofty, but their 

 more elevated parts are too exposed, too bleak, for 

 successful cultivation, in spite of the rich soil, which 

 would be invaluable for farming purposes if it could be: 

 transported to a more genial climate. To yield its full 

 value, this soil must be brought down to a lower level, 

 and for that we must wait nature's time. 



But in numberless other instances this is what has 

 been done. Soil has been brought down from the 

 mountains, where it must have been comparatively 

 unproductive ; it has been mixed and prepared, and 

 finally spread out in extensive fields ready made to the 

 farmer's hand, in situations where his crops can have 

 the warmth and moisture which are essential to them. 



It certainly does appear perverse, therefore, that 

 men should persist in trying to grow crops where they 

 seem plainly meant to feed their sheep ; and that they 

 should want to plough up moors and deer-forests which 

 could never make productive fields, when by long and 

 most elaborate preparation thousands and millions of 

 acres have been provided which would yield abundant 

 harvests with less than half the labour. 



