CHAPTER VIII.. Of the Improvement of the Soil—Mechanical and Chemical

Of the Improvement of the Soil—Mechanical and Chemical Methods—Draining—Subsoiling—Ploughing, and Mixing of Soils—Use of Lime, Marl, and Shell-sand—Manures —Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral Manures.

The soil is possessed of certain existing and obvious qualities, and of certain other dormant capabilities; how are these qualities to be improved,—these dormant capabilities to be awakened?

There are two distinct methods by which these ends may be, in some measure, attained,—by the use of mechanical, and by the application of chemical, means. Mechanical operations produce changes chiefly in the physical properties of the soil,—chemical means alter its elementary constitution. Ploughing, draining, mixing, &c. belong to the former class of operations; manuring and irrigation belong to the latter. It will be proper to consider these methods separately.