THE FIRST BOOK OF FARMING 



PART II 



Soil Fertility as Affected by Farm Operations 

 and Farm Practices 



CHAPTER XVI 

 A FERTILE SOIL 



WHAT is a fertile soil? 



The expression a fertile soil is often used as mean- 

 ing a soil that is rich in plant food. In its broader 

 and truer meaning a fertile soil is one in which are 

 found all the conditions necessary to the growth and 

 development of plant roots. 



These conditions, as learned in Chapter II, are as 

 follows : 



The root must have a firm yet mellow soil. 



It must be well supplied with moisture. 



It must be well supplied with air. 



It must have a certain amount of heat. 



It must be supplied with available plant food. 



In order to furnish these needs or conditions the 

 soil must possess certain characteristics or prop- 

 erties. 



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