AND AGRICULTURE. 41 



i 



turn to the farmer a sufficient compensation. 

 But these lands could be made lighter, more 

 easily cultivated, and yield very productive crops, 

 if they were drained, subsoil ploughed, and lime 

 or marl added as required. When thus improved, 

 their yield of grain will be increased by, some- 

 times, scores of bushels to the acre; and the 

 cost of draining and improving is usually paid 

 back to the farmer in three or four years, from 

 the largely increased yield and more profitable 

 nature of the crops. 



THE INORGANIC FOOD OF PLANTS. 



The inorganic, or earthy part of soil, answers 

 a double purpose : first, it keeps the plants in a 

 firm and upright position, because their roots are 

 securely held therein : and second, it furnishes 

 the plant with that food which it requires for the 

 perfection and growth of its inorganic parts. 



In addition to the sand, clay and lime, of 

 which the inorganic part of soils mainly consists, 

 they also contain small amounts of potash, soda. 



Questions. How could clay land be made more profitable '-. 

 Do draining and other improvements pay the farmer for 

 their cost ? Of what use is the inorganic part of the soil ? 

 What substances does the soil contain besides sand, clay, and 

 lime ? 



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