Sep. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.V/. 619 



Some Advantages of a Rough Surface 



in Cultivation* 



J. T. PRIDHAM, Plant Breeder. 



The rough surface as a method of cultivation has been advocated in the 

 past, and no apology is needed for introducing the subject afresh. 



Conservation of moisture is only one of the objects of cultivation; though, 

 perhaps, in our climate it is the most important. Soil texture is hardly 

 less necessary for the growth of plants, for it ensures proper aeration for the 

 feeding roots. A common notion of an ideal cultivated surface is that of 

 the proverbial onion bed, but while we require a finely-divided soil for the 

 germination of small seeds, the cultivation given after the seedling starts to 

 grow should be somewhat different. If loose surface particles were the main 

 object in cultivation a layer of sand shoiild provide the right conditions. 

 It has been noticed by the writer, however, that where sand has drifted or 

 been washed over the surface the crop is not superior to that growing on 

 the soil iu its natural state, but rather the reverse. Of course, cases happen 

 where the storm water that accompanies the sand causes extra growth, but 

 usually the effect is rather detrimental than otherwise. During the pi'esent 

 season the abundant winter rains following the drought have, in some cases, 

 caused the soil to go out of condition or to lose its tilth. A farmer who 

 walks over his land likes to feel his heel sink into a soft soil. Land that 

 does not give under the tread is deficient in texture, and the question arises 

 how best to get the soil back in some degree to its previous condition during 

 the current season. 



A heavy harrowing will help to some extent in the case of wheat and such 

 crops, but where inter-tillage is possible, as in orchards, and where crops are 

 grown in rows, we can assist nature by the (choice of suitable implements. A 

 disc cultivator, or one that leaves the soil in fiine condition, while valuable 

 under certain conditions, is not called for where soil has become solidly crusted 

 together or has become water-logged under the crop. A tool that produces 

 the ideal surface is a pronged hoe, and among cultivators a machine with 

 narrow teeth ; in some soils the spring-tooth type does the best work. The 

 aim should be to leave the surface covered with clods rather than in the fine 

 condition in which it will run together again after the first rain. For weedy 

 land, a machine that leaves the £;round torn up in a ridged or corrugated 

 condition is best. 



Cultivating means that while the crop occupies the land we lose the use of 

 the top 2 or 3 inches. In what form should this spare soil lie"? A rough surface 

 provides better percolation and drainage for rain, cooler conditions for the 

 roots as the warm weather approaches, and better aeration, and consequently 



