41 
SOIL AMELIORATION. 
One of the Most Vital Points in ScicntiHc and Modern 
Agriculture. 
By J. F. C. Hagens. 
Soils in their natural condition, if their surface is suffi- 
ciently disintegrated and weathered to support plant life, are 
covered by a vegetation suitable to their, climatic and other 
conditions, as well as their particular chemical composition. 
This original natural selection has been somewhat modified 
and changed by man, who has gradually converted a large 
part of the earth's surface into arable land and in many in- 
stances by extraordinary efforts has reclaimed and converted 
into extremely fertile and productive soils large tracts of al- 
most totally unproductive waste lands. On the other hand, 
erstwhile fertile soils have often been made unproductive or 
sterile by improper treatment and ignorance. The proper 
treatment and cultivation of soils is of the highest import- 
ance, and in most cases far more important than fertilization. 
It is imperative that our agriculturists be cognizant of this 
fact, as it forms the secret of the great success of their Euro- 
pean brethren. This is the principal reason why soils in 
Europe, that have been cropped for centuries, are producing 
better crops today than ever and are, as a rule, in better con- 
dition than formerly. 
Fertilizing with commercial fertilizers aims principally to 
improve the natural fertility of the soil by supplying it with 
a store of available plant food and correcting deficiencies in 
one or more of the essential plant food elements. It rarely 
ever improves the condition of the soils, and often the con- 
tinued injudicious use of certain commercial fertilizers works 
harmfully in the latter direction. Constant and proper care 
directed toward preservation of a favorable condition of the 
soil and the creation of such conditions where absent is, there- 
fore, of great importance ; for, however fertile a land may be, 
it will not be truly productive if its mechanical, physical and 
chemical condition is more or less unfavorable to plant life. 
This preserving and conditioning of soils is called "amelio- 
ration," and forms the basis of all successful and scientific 
husbandry. Many viewpoints have to be observed in order to 
avoid a one-sided and unrational treatment. 
The best results are naturally obtained where the proper 
attention to amelioration is paid from the beginning, with the 
first reclamation of the virgin soil, and all essential points 
should be carefully observed. Still, it is never too late to 
begin with a soil already under cultivation, and this should 
not be lost sight of even with the most productive lands, for 
