AGRICULTURE 



CHAPTER ONE 



THE SOIL 

 FORMATION OF THE SOIL 



Soil. We are now to consider the processes by which Nature 

 brings forth harvests from the soil, and the ways in which man can 

 aid and direct her work. 



What, in the first place, is the soil? 



It is the thin layer of surface earth which covers our globe. 

 It is composed of fine particles of rock, mixed with matter formed 

 by the decay of plants and animals. Its thickness is measured 

 by feet, often by inches. Below it for many miles extends the solid 

 earth-crust. 



Probably you are familiar with some place where a river or road 

 has cut its way through a hill. There you can examine the layers 

 of the earth-crust. On the top you find grass or weeds or trees. 

 Below that is the soil, which is generally dark in color ; gradually 

 this changes into the subsoil, which is harder and usually lighter 

 colored. Under that there is a layer of rock. 



Importance and Uses of Soil. Compared with the size of the 

 earth, the soil is no more than a film of dust on an orange. Yet it 

 is this film, this surface-layer, this earth-dust, which gives us the 

 fragrant beauty of the rose, the grateful shade of the oak, the whole- 

 some food of the corn. Without it, plant and animal life could not 



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