The Probi-em of Impoverished Lands. 117 



Land so treated tends to dry out earlier in the spring than 

 unplowed soils; and soils which dry out early in the spring are 

 " warm" and consequently "early." 



8. What projjot'tion of farmers in your vicinity lyractice uncler- 

 drainage f 



The important point to be considered is, Does your farm need 

 under-draining ? 



9. rioiv many of the farms need under-drainage f 



There is comparatively little land which will not be improved by 

 under-draining. 



lU. How deep and how far apart would you lay under-drainsf 

 The distance apart should be governed in a measure by the depth ; 

 the deeper the drains, the farther apart they may be placed. The 

 contour of the land and the nature of the soil will also influence 

 very materially in the matter. In a general way we may say that 

 in moderately porous soils drains three feet deep should be from 30 

 to -iO feet apart. 



11. Do the farmers of your neighhorhood have enough differ- 

 ent kinds of tools to enable them to till their land cheaply and 

 efficiently f 



This will depend ui)on the nature of the soil and the kind of crops 

 grown. It is a good question to think about. 



1 2. How many different kinds of tillage tools should a man have 

 to farm it properly if he has 100 acres devoted to general farming^ 

 of which half is clay and half sandy soilf 



This question is too general to admit of any one fixed answer. 

 Each farm differs in some respects from every other, and the tools 

 used on the one farm probably would not be exactly suitable in all 

 details for another farm. Let each man answer. 



13. How often would you till afield of corn or potatoes f 

 Often enough to keep the soil-mulch in good condition, — -that is, 



light and loose. Study this question. 



14. Why do you till your corn or potatoes f A?'e weeds the lead- 

 ing problem in yotcr mind f 



The keeping of the soil-mulch light and loose should be the lead- 

 ing idea. When this is done, few if any weeds can grow. 



