SMALL HOLDINGS 123 



of its mechanical composition and its feeding 

 value. It is now recognised that an ideal 

 soil is that v/hich combines perfection of 

 texture, the power to retain moisture, depth 

 of staple, with richness in organic matter and 

 lime. The term 'organic matter' specially 

 refers to the vegetable matter in the soil — 

 such as the roots of plants and dung, both 

 being in a decomposed or decomposing condi- 

 tion. It is true that anim^al matter is 'organic,' 

 but in connection with this discussion such 

 matter practically finds no place. There is, 

 for example, a considerable amount of organic 

 matter in old pasture land, as m all soils 

 which are abundantly manured, and which, 

 being farmed on the rotation system, 

 are constantly replenished by the clover 

 roots, by the stubble of cereals and pulse, 

 and by the leaves and haulm of bulbs and 

 potatoes. 



During a long series of investigations in 

 which different crops were grown upon soils 

 of varying character, it was found by a French 

 scientist that the most productive land was 

 that which consisted of equal parts by volume 

 of four soils — those of a sandy, clayey, peaty, 

 and chalky character. Thus, the clay pro- 

 vided substance, the peat the organic 



