158 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



In 1S97 the writer visited a field of rather coarse soil, which yielded 9.15 bushels 

 of spring wheat per acre. The rainfall during the growing season was: 

 14 inch in May, 

 % inch in June, 

 1-lG inch in July, and 

 1-16 inch in August. 

 The rainfalls of July and August were hurtful rather than helpful. 



THE IDE^U. MOISTURE CONDITION. 



When a soil contains about (usually a little more than) half the .greatest 

 capillary quantity it is capable of holding, it is in the best possible moisture con- 

 dition for both the germination of seed and the growth of crops. 



PBACTTCE. 



We have already indicated what may be done to give to the soil its maximum 

 capacity for capillary water. But after this is accomplished certain methods of 

 moisture management are necessary. These call largely for the intelligent use of 

 farm tools. This is an art and a great art which every farmer should master. 



TO DISPOSE OF EXCESSIVE MOISTtJBE.. 



1. As has already been stated, a soil may contain an excessive amount of 

 capillary moisture and it is not always desirable or convenient to wait for its re- 

 moval by natural means. The farm tool must be brought into use. It is presumed 

 that the land is drained — best tile drained. If it is not and this excessive moisture 

 is common, not many seasons should pass before it is drained. 



(a) If the land has not been plowed, then the plow will probably be the tool 

 used. If the soil be a clay or a clay loam. 



1. Use a plow with a slanting mold board and do not plow deep; for the abrupt 

 mold board and deep plowing will both have the effect of unduly packing the 

 soil when over wet, which should be avoided. 



2. After plowing, do not allow the soil to dry too long before it is gone over 

 with a spike-tooth harrow or better, under some conditions, with a roller followed 

 shortly by a spike-tooth. The object of the harrowing is to prevent the forming 

 of hard lumps at the surface in the drying of the soil, as is almost sure to occur 

 in the soils named if allowed to dry too long before a mellowing tool is used. It 

 is easy enough to tell by feeling or even by the eye when this mellowing process 

 should begin. It is not practiced as much as it should be. 



The use of the roller as suggested will often improve the quality of the mellow- 

 ing, but in any case will bring the newly plowed soil in more complete contact 

 with that below which is a thing to be desired in spring plowing and will at the 

 same time improve the capillary conditions of the newly plowed soil. 



(b) If the soil has already been either fall or spring plowed, then the use of 

 one of two tools may be suggested: 



1. If the soil is loose the roller may be used. Its use will more thoroughly 

 compact the soil grains, and moisture will rise more rapidly through a reasonably 

 compacted soil than it will through a more open one. When a roller is so used, 

 care should be taken not to allow the drying to go too far, for in such a case 

 the surface may become over dry and even cloddy. At the proper time some 

 stirring tool should be used. The use of the roller for this purpose should be 

 exercised with much care. 



2. The disc harrow may be used. The use of the disc will bring the more 

 moist layers of soil to the surface and thus expose them to the action of the sun 

 and wind. 



There is less danger in using the disc than in using the roller, but even here 

 intelligence needs to be exercised and the spike-tooth used at the proper time. 



TO PREVENT MOISTURE LOSSES BY EV/VPORATION. 



A more importaht question with most farmers, though one not always appre- 

 ciated, is how to prevent losses of moisture by evaporation. These losses are 

 often greater than most of us realize. 



