CONTENTS 



CHAPTER PAGE 



1. THE NATURE OF PLANTS i 



2. THE FOOD OF PLANTS 14 



3. THE SOIL AND SOIL WATER 22 



4. SOIL FERTILITY AND ITS PRESERVATION . . .38 



5. CULTIVATION AND DRAINAGE 50 



6. THE PROPAGATION AND CARE OF PLANTS . . .62 



7. THE IMPROVEMENT OF CROP PLANTS .... 88 



8. FARM MANAGEMENT AND FARM CROPS . . . 101 



9. VEGETABLE GARDENING 123 



10. ORNAMENTAL GARDENING 142 



11. DRY FARMING AND IRRIGATION 156 



12. SUPPLYING SOIL NEEDS 170 



13. INSECT ENEMIES AND ALLIES 189 



14. THE FARMER'S FEATHERED HELPERS .... 220 



15. THE SMALLEST OF LIVING THINGS .... 236 



16. THE HERD AND THE DAIRY 251 



17. FARM ANIMALS AND THE PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING . 272 



1 8. POULTRY KEEPING 296 



INDEX 327 



vu 



