76 CORDON TRAINING. 



Then the subject of soils is quite endless. It, however, 

 deserves a volume to itself, it is so important. 



For example, in sandy districts which are so very soon 

 heated, the sand seldom dries deeper than ten or twelve 

 inches, while sea-salt becomes damp at night. On the other 

 hand, clay heats very slowly, besides being too compact for 

 the spongioles to penetrate, and retaining water. It has, 

 therefore, every bad quality. Sand, however, dries up too 

 rapidly to be suitable by itself. A mean between these ex- 

 treme cases is, therefore, of general use, with the addition of 

 peat. These exercise separate and counteracting influences. 

 The loam consolidates ; the sand lightens ; and the peat 

 unites. This is, therefore, a perfect mixture. • 



Nevertheless, that loam which has the most calcareous 

 matter is far the best, for calcareous earth enters largely into 

 the organization of plants. It also, according to Davy, de- 

 pends on the action of the lime and vegetable matter together. 

 Manures act, either by stimulating, by absorbing the moisture, 

 or by supplying food, i. e., carbon and nitrogen. Carbonic 

 acid, at least, forms an essential part of the substances of 

 plants. It is, however, proper to apply manure when the 

 plants are rapidly growing, and to those parts which can 

 absorb it, and not, as a great many do, at the stems of the 

 trees. 



The fall of rain furnishes the observer with many most 

 interesting phenomena for remark, and thus horticulture 

 leads the inquirer into many paths he would otherwise never 

 have trod. Less rain will certainly fall on the top of the 

 house than falls on the surface of the ground. The average 

 of downpour of a day and night is one inch of water ; but 

 in the west of England it is one third more, and in the lake 

 districts double the quantity. It is also remarkable how a 

 high temperature with a southwest wind will absorb the 

 vapors, and cause a delicious temperature, most healthy for 

 men as well as for plants. But the climate of England is 

 certainly very moist, and every precaution must be taken to 

 carry away the superfluous waters from the borders. 



