UA*^l/dN READING-LESSON 



CORNELL READING-COURSE ^°^ 



FOR FARMERS. December, i898. 



By JOHN W. SPENCER. 



TILLAGE AND UNDER-DRAINAGE: REASONS WHY. 



1. The difference between black and white. — Two farmers are 

 neighbors. Mr. White has made a study of potato culture for a 

 number of \^ears, and, as a result, now has an average yield, one 

 year with another, of about 200 bushels per acre from a field of 

 three to five acres. Mr. Black is considered a fairly good farmer, 

 as farmers go, but has given potato culture no special study. He 

 manages his crop as his neighbors do. His methods are those 

 which have been a tradition for several generations, and they had 

 their origin when the country was new and high cultivation was 

 impossible on account of the stumps and lack of tools, and also 

 because the virgin soil made it unnecessary. His annual yield is 

 not far from 60 bushels per acre. In other words, Mr. Black has 

 to plow, harrow\ furnish seed, plant, and cultivate about ten acres 

 to secure as many potatoes as Mr. White does from three acres. 

 Both men sell their product to the same dealer, and we will 

 assume that the}^ receive the same price per bushel. The 

 cost of producing a bushel of potatoes must be very much more 

 with Mr. Black than it is with Mr. White. No manufacturer 

 or merchant could withstand the keen competition in trade if 

 handicapped as Mr. Black is. When the respective farms were 

 reclaimed from the forest, the}' were considered to be alike in 

 character of soil, and the rain falls impartially on each. 



Why the difference in cost of production between Black and 

 White? There are many points of difference in their methods, 

 but we are free to sa}' that one of the essential differences is 

 in tillage. 



2. The plant needs water. — When Mr. White contemplates a 

 crop of potatoes, he proceeds to make. an estimate of what the 



