100 EARTHS AND SOILS. 



crop is a sure one : you obtain it without manure. As 

 we never sow this before the middle of June, we have 

 a fine opportunity to plough in all the green growth of 

 that season ; and this is probably one reason why we 

 can raise buckwheat year after year on the same plat 

 without a diminished crop, and without exhausting the 

 soil. 



Another reason is, this plant receives more nutriment 

 from the atmosphere than any other grain we have 

 sown. Its leaves are broad, and its roots are small in 

 proportion to its top, so that ten crops in succession are 

 often taken with one ploughing a year, and without 

 manure. At the time of sowing the wheat — from the 

 15th to the 30th of June — throv/ on, also, to an acre, 

 one bushel of winter rye. It will not interfere with 

 the wheat, and will give you some feed in autumn : 

 then, at the next ploughing in June, you have a coat 

 of manure to plough under that has cost you only the 

 price of one bushel of rye, all on the ground and ready 

 spread. 



Buckwheat straw should not be burnt on the field 

 as it formerly was. It is quite valuable when cut in 

 season for young cattle and for sheep. 



[From the Farmers' Cabinet.] 



EARTHS AND SOILS. 



In the investigation of agricultural subjects, it is 

 necessary that we should as correctly as possible dis- 

 tinguish earths and soils, and their varieties. The 

 earths important to agriculture, and which form nearly 

 the whole surface of the globe, capable of producing 

 vegetation, are only four, viz. silicious, aluminous, cal- 

 careous, and magnesia. 



