IMPROVEMENT OP THE SOIL. 107 



below it ; facilitates the spreading of the roots, mixes the 

 dung with the earth, and renders its action more equal ; it 

 destroys weeds, and causes them to serve as manure ; and it 

 frees the soil from vermin, which would otherwise multiply 

 in it to the destruction of the harvests. 



This operation is performed upon all soils of what kind 

 soever ; it forms the very basis of agriculture ; without it 

 there can be no harvest. The tillage by the hoe is much 

 more perfect than that by the plough, but the spade is a still 

 more efficacious implement. The plough divides and turns 

 the soil with less 'exactness than either of the others ; and 

 notwithstanding the crossed and multiplied furrows, there 

 will be some portions of the intervals and intersections, 

 where the soil will remain untouched ; but as tillage by the 

 plough is the least costly, and the most expeditious, it has 

 generally received the preference. 



I know a little village in Touraine, between the Cher and 

 the Loire, where all the lands are cultivated by the spade, 

 and their produce is always double that of any in the 

 neighbourhood ; the inhabitants have become rich, and the 

 soil has doubled in value. In Bremont, between Loches 

 and Chinon, they employ no other means of cultivating a 

 very fertile soil ; but this method can be used only on small 

 estates, or in a country where labor is very abundant and to 

 be procured at a low price : I do not doubt, however, that 

 there are some localities where it could be conducted with 

 profit, if it should be employed from time to time to 

 ameliorate successive portions of land, especially those 

 that have been used for the cultivation of such plants as 

 have long roots. 



In the alluvial soils formed by the deposits of the Loire, 

 between Tours and Blois, the farmer reaps from his land a 

 harvest of corn, and afterwards lets it to persons, who turn 

 it to the depth of a foot, with spades, and raise upon it legu- 

 minous plants. 



From the effects produced by this kind of tillage, we may 

 perceive, that it cannot be employed equally in all soils, or 

 indifferently at all seasons, nor be always carried to the 

 same depth. A light, porous, calcareous, or sandy soil 

 requires less tilling than that which is compact and argilla- 

 ceous ; and this last requires to be stirred more deeply 

 than the first, because otherwise the roots cannot penetrate 

 it and fasten themselves in it ; neither can the air gain 

 access to deposit upon them its kindly moisture. 



