CHAKACTEK, OF SOILS SUITABLE. 283 



these two extremes we have a wide range of soils, possess- 

 ing, in necessarily varying proportions, the two desired con- 

 ditions. To assign to these their proper relative values in 

 the cultivation of the crop would be impossible, without 

 a knowledge of the climatal conditions of the district in 

 which it was to be earned on ; as in a locality where either 

 the rainfall was great, or the humidity of the air constant 

 as on some portions of the western coast, for instance the 

 mechanical texture of the soil would be of higher relative 

 importance than its chemical constituents ; whereas, in a 

 naturally dry district (the midland or eastern counties) 

 a far larger proportion of clay would, from its powers of 

 absorbing and retaining moisture, improve the texture 

 and capabilities of the turnip soils. There is no doubt 

 that within the last few years the range of turnip soils 

 has been largely increased in this country, by the aid of 

 thorough draining, and the improved mechanical contriv- 

 ances which our skilful and enterprising agricultural 

 engineers and implement makers have placed at our 

 command. Those, however, possessing in themselves the 

 natural suitabilities for the crop, are always the most 

 free from disturbing effects of weather, &c., economical to 

 work, and most certain in their returns. The essentials 

 of a turnip soil are that it be deep, free from stagnant 

 water, susceptible of minute division, and sufficiently tena- 

 cious to absorb and retain moisture sufficient for the wants 

 of the plant, and that its general composition be such as to 

 contain the mineral constituents necessary for its growth. 

 The first essential the depth is limited, in some cases, 

 by natural causes ; in many, however, it can be materially 

 increased by draining, and by judiciously subsoiling, our 

 newly -harnessed labourer "steam" giving us, at a 

 cheap rate, any amount of power we please to take ad- 

 vantage of; and it is pretty certain that the older we 

 grow, and the wiser we get, the more disposed we shall 



