It is known that the black soil of the prairies is very rich in humus or nitrogen, strong in potash, and with a sufficiency of the phosphates for all common crops, and beside these qualifications it is very finely divided in material substance. With these excellencies, one would think it were an easy matter to propagate plants from cuttings in it, and that other plants with roots, transplanted, would grow off at once. But such is not the case. Success with cuttings is a difficult matter, even in a cool and moist season, and out of the question in droughty summers, while more transplanted young fruit and shade trees die than under almost any soil and circumstances. The explanation is thought to lie in the hygroscopic capacity of the soil, owing to the presence of a large per cent. of humus and the fine division of its particles. Thus the soil may contain moisture enough to provide for the solution of the plant food, but the hygroscopic attraction is stronger than the force that feeds the plants, and the roots starve to death.

It is, probably, due to this soil peculiarity that fruit trees have died and will continue to suffer, in a large portion of the valley of the Mississippi, west of the Wabash, north of the Ohio, south of the Great Lakes and east of the Rocky Mountains. On a soil of less hygroscopic capacity, the average annual rainfall of 40 to 45 inches is found sufficent; hence, in certain narrow areas, in the valleys named, the fruit trees are reasonably healthy and bear semiannual, if not annual full crops. - B. F. Johnson, Illinois.

[Note. - It is doubtful whether the soil has anything to do with these difficulties. So far as trees are concerned, the arid atmosphere is at fault. The moisture is carried off faster than the mutilated roots can supply it, and cuttings from trees with low vital power never have the chance to grow that cuttings from more robust individuals have. - Thomas Meehan].

Prairie Soil And Moisture #1

I notice the item under this head on page 241, April No. of American Garden. It presents something new - new to me, and I want more upon that subject. Our prairie soil is rich, but the facts are as stated, and there must be some good reason why larger crops are not brought to the harvest. Is the hygroscopic capacity of our soil at fault ? Who has the facts ? The theory is beautiful, and may be as true as beautiful. (?) And if so, what are we going to do about it ? Where is the remedy ? - O. L. Barler, Beatrice, Neb.