AMELIORATION OF LAND 73 



in a curiously erect position on lawns, and 

 if examination be made it will be found that 

 these plant-remains have been partially 

 dragged into the burrows of worms, and so 

 have attained to their erect position. Worms 

 also pass large quantities of soil through 

 their bodies, and, in the process, a certain 

 amount of insoluble mineral matter, such as 

 potash, is rendered more or less soluble, and 

 therefore better fitted to serve as the food of 

 plants. While, however, worms may con- 

 tribute something to the fertility of soil, it 

 is not to be overlooked that they also do 

 a certain amount of harm, and especially 

 is this the case with young seedlings, which 

 they seize during the night, and either devour 

 directly, or uproot and drag into their 

 burrows. 



CHAPTER IV 



AMELIORATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF LAND 



HAVING gained some idea of the origin 

 and properties of soil, we are now in a position 

 to consider processes by which land may be 

 ameliorated or improved. 



One of the oldest processes, and one which 



