238 HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 



and Wisconsin. Yet my examinations of Ohio soils, and the 

 examination of other analysts, together with the analyses of 

 the soils of Iowa and Wisconsin, by Dr. Owen, the United 

 States government geologist, show that the quantity of lime 

 present is no greater than the average amount contained in 

 New England soils. The soils of the three western states 

 referred to, and perhaps the soils of all the west, have been de- 

 rived from the ruins of granitic and primitive rocks, swept and 

 distributed from the north by powerful aqueous agencies. 



There is one other point in which the Ohio soils examined 

 by me, differ from New England soils, and that is, in the fine- 

 ness of their constituent particles, most of them being little 

 else, when dry, than impalpable powders.- This is an impor- 

 tant element of their fertility, for with it a superior power is at 

 once given to a soil for the absorption, retention and condensa- 

 tion of moisture, carbonic acid and ammonia, with an oj)por- 

 tunity for the free permeation of atmospheric air, and a facility 

 for the rootlets of plants to extend, appropriate and receive 

 nourishment. 



The conclusion then to be drawn from this comparison of 

 the soils of the Scioto Valley and the soils of Hampden 

 county is, that the Ohio soils are only superior as regards the 

 fineness of their constituent particles, and in the amount and 

 condition of the organic matter contained in them. The 

 lesson which they may teach to the agriculturists of Hampden 

 is, the necessity for the thorough breaking and pulverizing of 

 the earthy particles, and for the preservation, preparation, and 

 proper application of organic manures, the produce of the farm 

 yard and the muck beds. These conclusions are not new ; 

 they are the results of the experience of ages, and of the 

 observations and experiments of every practical farmer. The 

 agricultural tendency of the present day is toward mineral 

 manures. I would not undervalue them, but at the same time I 

 wish that the old notions respecting thorough tillage, and the 

 value of the barnyard products — notions, the value of which 

 experience has taught and which all scientific investigations 

 are now confirming, — may not be underrated or undervalued. 



DAVID A. WELLS, 

 Chemist to the Ohio State Board of Agriculture. 



