Chapter VI

Direct relations of Geology to Agriculture—Origin
of Soils—Causes of their Diversity—Relation to
the Rocks on which they rest—Constancy in the
relative Position and Character of the Stratified
Rocks—Relation of this fact to Practical
Agriculture—General Character of the Soils upon
these Rocks.

Geology is that branch of knowledge which embodies all ascertained facts in regard to the nature and internal structure, both physical and chemical, of the solid parts of our globe. This science has many close relations with practical agriculture, and especially throws much light on the nature and origin of soils,—on the cause of their diversity,—on the kind of materials by the admixture of which they may be permanently improved,—and on the sources from which these materials may be derived.