112 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



words. But for the drought only are these serviceable, and for 

 this, even, they are not adapted to general use. Our theme, on 

 the contrary, is universal in its application, equally serviceable 

 for every vicissitude of weather and season, for all localities 

 and varieties of soil, and for every vegetable production. It 

 is a term familiar to all, if not in its qualification and details. 



It turns the drought itself to good account, and renders 

 mulching and irrigation comparatively useless, or, if used, more 

 efficacious. During a dry spell and in trenched ground, roots 

 strike deeper in search of food and moisture, become more ex- 

 tensively ramified, and sooner find the rich loam and manure 

 intermingled deeply with the soil. The leaching process, as it 

 is called, is reversed, and takes place upwards more than at 

 any other time, or, in more scientific phrase, capillary attrac- 

 tion is increased. As each particle of moisture is evaporated 

 from the surface it is succeeded by another, and the whole soil 

 is filled with the ascending moisture and gases, which are ap- 

 propriated by the numerous rootlets as they have need. 



The wet season is also a blessing to the deep cultivator. 

 The more rain, the more heat, ammonia, carbonic acid, and 

 other organic elements are left in the soil as it descends. As 

 each drop filters through, it is succeeded by another, or by air, 

 both essential to vegetation, and to dissolve, act on, or com- 

 bine with, the inorganic elements of the soil. As the water 

 drains off air is sure to follow; and this is the proper mode of 

 its circulation. Each is also generally at a higher temperature 

 than the undrained land, and the warmth of the under soil is 

 therefore relatively increased. The farmer often objects to 

 this waste of water, and would fain retain it for a dry time. 

 The trenched and porous soil holds water like a sponge, not- 

 withstanding the drainage. It retains or can command enough 

 for the wants of vegetation. But let us sec the operation on 

 the undrained land. 



The farmer often speaks of his "cold, wet land." No varie- 

 ty of soil, in any location, is, of itself, colder than another. 

 The very water which trenching, draining, &o., allow to pass 

 off after imparting its virtues to the soil, if retained on or near 

 the surface by hard, impervious subsoil, becomes itself, by its 

 changes, the source of the coldness complained of. Instead of 



