speak of the preparation ueceL^^ary to tit it tor the 

 priHirietion ot ealinary vegetables. Here let us add. 

 too much impoi'tance cannot be attached to having a 

 rich, deep, fria];)h3 ioani, resting upon a warm subsoil^ 

 as upon this in a great measiu'e, depends the future 

 success of the gardener. Skill in cultivation cannot 

 overcome all the injurious effects arising from a poor 

 or cold soil. Having' a suitable soil, the, next thing of 

 .importance is io stir it deeply. Without mellowness 

 fioots are not able to penetrate it. Mr. Trull proved 

 that the roots of the common turnip e;ii:tended six 

 feet, although he couk| not trace them to that extent 

 with his naked eve. Mr, Downino- remarks, *'^I have 

 seen the roots of strawberries extend five feet down 

 in a rich soil; and those plants bore a crop of fruit 

 five times as large and tw^ice as handsome and good, 

 as the common product of a soil only one foot deep." 

 Another benefit of deep stirring is, it exposes the soil 

 to the action of the atmosphere. This, It is known, 

 contains some of the principal elements of vegetable 

 growth which it readily yields to a light and porous 

 soih "Such a soil permits the immediate escape of 

 water after heavy rains, and yet, by its capillary at- 

 traction furnishes a supply of moisture during a pro- 

 tracted drought. Pyy its friability, it is more capable 

 of absorbing heat during sunshine, and, " thereto i^, 

 more sensible of the early approaches of spring; and 

 jet, it radiates heat so rapidly, that the deposit of dew- 

 in the summer nights is greatly facilitated. These 

 latter two properties are very important, because the 

 warmth of the sun is necessary for the roots, and be- 

 cause the free deposit of dew protects them from the 

 fatal consequences of continued dry weather." 



SiihsoU Plowinc/, — This is undoubtedly the best meth- 

 od to pursue when the ground is wanted for immedi- 

 ate use. It loosens very thoroughly the subsoil, and 

 yet leaves the ti ue soil on top. The objection to it, 

 is, that it does not enrich the soil to the depth re.O[uir« 

 ^d to produce good vegetnblos. 



