Means of Protection against Drought and Frost. — 167 



to supply the conditions which favor a free movement of the soil 

 water up and down, and especially capillary action between 

 surface soil and subsoil, namely, perfect drainage, and subsoiling 

 wherever this action is stopped by an impervious character of the 

 subsoil. 



Having once secured these conditions as a foundation, the 

 task before us is rendered comparatively easy, and we can now 

 pay attention to the mechanical structure of the surface layer. 

 Some soils absorb more moisture, and part with it more reluc- 

 tantly, than others. The following table will make this plain : 



Each 100 lbs. of clear Sand is able to absorb and retain 25 lbs. of water. 



Limestone and Sand " " " 29 " " 



Sandy Loam " " " 40 " " 



Clay and Limestone Soil " " " 45 '' " 



Clay Loam Soil " " " 50 " " 



Clear Clay Soil " " " 70 " " 



Rich Garden Soil " " " 85 " " 



Peat Soil " " " 175 " " 



Soils, therefore, suffer most from dry weather in the order 

 given. Peat never suffers from an ordinary drought, but gorging 

 itself with moisture, which fills all its pores, is much more liable 

 to suffer for want of air. The addition of sand, limestone soil, 

 and even clay, will correct it in this direction. The absorptive 

 and retentive character of sand can be improved by the addition 

 of clay, peat, or more naturally, as in the legitimate way of crop 

 feeding, by the incorporation of coarse manure, or plowing under 

 of green crops. The beneficial agent in the latter cases is vege- 

 table mold. Soils filled with humus absorb and hold water well ; 

 a rich soil consequently stands drought better than a poor one. 

 Judicious selection of soil, or improvement of its composition by 

 the addition of clay, manure, peat, etc., are among the most 

 effective precautionary measures against drought. 



Applications of wood ashes, (carbonates of potash and lime) 

 also serve to make soils more retentive, and to counteract the evil 

 consequences of a prolonged drought. Some of our best garden- 

 ers use them very largely, at the rate of lOO bushels or more per 

 acre, as much w'th this object in view, as fox their fertilizing 

 qualities. I believe that nitrate of soda, and the potash salts also, 

 serve to attract moisture, and to retain it for the use of the crops. 

 Suppose we have paid proper attention to all the points before 

 mentioned. We then find ourselves in first-class shape at the 

 beginning of the season. The subterranean reservoir is well 

 filled, and all we will have to do, to defy even a protracted 

 drought, is to use the supply economically, and prevent its undue 

 waste. 



Our aim now is, and should be. to retard evaporation from the 

 surface, and reduce it to the smallest possible amount. This 

 might be done by a mulch of hay, straw or other litter; but the 



