16 VEGECULTURE 



it is placed ; secondly, it has a mechanical effect upon the soil 

 a heavy medium is disintegrated and lightened, a light soil 

 is rendered more compact and moisture-retaining, by its applica- 

 tion. But so far as vegetation is concerned, crude manure is 

 absolutely poisonous; its powerful chemical gases, burning 

 acids, and reactionary activities are fatal to the roots of plants 

 wherever contact occurs, so that manure, in its fresh, undecayed 

 state, is useful only in a mechanical way, or for providing heat. 

 Yet, this same manure, after a while, becomes toned down into 

 a mellow, black, soft, friable soil, extremely rich in food com- 

 pounds and sustaining elements, receiving, filtering, retaining, 

 and giving moisture by means of its well-balanced and organized 

 moist-air cells and perfect composition ; in fact, the manure 

 has been transformed into humus. 



Where lasting benefit is desired, therefore, from manurial 

 applications, every facility should be given for the thorough 

 decay of all crude substances committed to the soil. The 

 mechanical action of such matters as lime, soot, ashes, burnt 

 refuse, slops, soap-suds, salt, all helping to bring this desirable 

 state of affairs to satisfactory completion. 



The term " rotation of crops " is an incomplete one, it fails 

 to describe or indicate its meaning. The rotation of crops a 

 system whereby no land shall be made to bear the 

 Rotation same or a similar crop two consecutive seasons- 

 o! Crops does not meet the actual needs of the soil. There 

 is many a piece of land which has borne a crop of 

 the same kind of vegetables for many years without a break. 

 I personally know of a plot upon which Potatoes are planted 

 every year with good results, too ; and of another that has 

 carried Runner Beans for several years planted in almost 

 precisely the same spot every time also with fine results. 

 These instances show that mere rotation of crops does not 

 bring about perfection of produce. The secret of the success 

 that rewards these old-fashioned gardeners of unscientific 

 habit is the fact that each year a sufficiency of the right quality 

 manure is put into the soil, thus giving back what has been 

 extracted by the crop, that the succeeding crops shall not 

 suffer. 



Now, if we look at the rotation of crops from the manurial 

 standpoint, we have in a moment found the true meaning of 

 the term. A system of manuring and a system of cropping 

 should always be applied in company ; neither must be applied 

 alone. I fail to see the use of arranging for Potatoes to follow 



