The Bulletin. 



THE SEED BED. 



Upon the character of the seed bed, more than anything else, de- 

 pends the success or failure of the crop. It is well, therefore, that 

 farmers study the character and needs of the various crops grown; 

 the soil conditions in which the different plants thrive best, their 

 requirements in respect to food and water, and as nearly as possible 

 prepare the seed bed to meet the needs of each individual crop. 



Plants, like animals, to thrive well, need a good supply of food and 

 an ample, but not over abundant, supply of water. And yet many 

 farmers fail to make necessary provision for a sufficient water supply 

 in time of drouth ; they also fail to prepare sufficient feeding groimd 

 for the roots of the crop, and consequently are doomed to reap a poor 

 harvest. Fortunately, it is possible, and practical as well, to so pre- 

 pare the seed bed as to fortify it in a great measure against the evil 

 effects of drouth and at the same time prepare a vast storehouse for 

 the manufacture of wholesome and available plant food by the micro- 

 organisms in the soil. 



A deep seed bed, well drained, well pulverized and filled with suit- 

 able organic matter is the best possible fortification against drouth, 

 or even excessively wet seasons. ISTo farmer should be content with 

 a soil less than eight inches deep, and even deeper would be better. 

 In deepening the soil we are increasing the feeding ground of the 

 roots and enlarging its moisture-holding capacity as well. If we have 

 four inches of soil it may be said that we have four inches of feeding 

 ground ; if eight inches of soil, eight inches of feeding ground ; twelve 

 inches of soil, twelve inches of feeding ground, and it is but fair to 

 say that with deepening the soil its power to produce has been greatly 

 increased. 



Every observant farmer knows that the "back furrows" in his fields 

 show a marked increase in productive power, and that the "dead fur- 

 rows" show a pronounced decrease, and that the terraces when planted 

 and cultivated produce the best crops in the field. There are two 

 reasons for this: a greater depth of soil, and better drainage and 

 consequently a warmer and more comfortable home for plant roots. 



The problem which confronts us is how to get the entire field in 

 the condition occupied by the terraces and "back furrows" and keep 

 it in that condition, and upon the proper solution of this question 

 depends the permanent fertility and productive power of any field. 



Deep plowing alone will not give the effective conditions required ; 

 on the other hand, if the plowing be improperly done, or at the wrong 

 season, or when the soil is not in proper condition, partial or per- 

 manent injury may result. Neither will deep plowing, though it be 

 done properly and at the proper time, and the mere application of 

 commercial fertilizers, though the application be heavy, followed by a 



