HOW TO PLANT. 87 



fore, that any food should enter these mouths 

 except in a fluid state, either liquid or gaseous. 



The soil ministers to the life of the tree 

 planted in it, only as the plant-food contained 

 in the soil is dissolved, so that it can be ab- 

 sorbed by the minute mouths of the roots. 

 Hence the need of having the soil reduced to 

 a fine condition, having it " pulverized," as we 

 say that is, reduced to a state of powder. In 

 proportion as the soil is thus made fine, more 

 particles of plant-food are exposed to the action 

 of the water and gases, which are ready to dis- 

 solve them, and in proportion to its fineness 

 are the dissolving particles brought into con- 

 tact with the little mouths ready to take the 

 food thus prepared for them. In other words, 

 the tree needs to have its food prepared for it 

 in soluble form; and to this end the soil in 

 which it is to stand and make its growth must 

 have among its constituents appropriate plant- 

 food, and must be put into such a mechanical 

 condition as will enable the tree to appropriate 

 the food that is offered it. 



The farmer or gardener does not expect to 

 have a crop of corn or wheat unless he prop- 



