8 The Bulletin, 



as the seasons, soil conditions, and the best judgment of the farmer 

 may allow. 



In the matter of the preparation of the soil, with reference to deep- 

 ening and permanently improving it, drainage is to be considered 

 first, and if the soil is not naturally well drained, underdrainage must 

 be provided, if permanent and profitable results are to be obtained. 

 Emphasis is placed upon tile drainage, because we believe it is des- 

 tined to play a great part in the future agricultural development of 

 our farms. It very manifestly has a specific work to perform in in- 

 creasing the depth, fertility and productive power of many of our 

 soils. It is expensive work, but we will often get back the initial cost 

 in the first crop, and most certainly in two or three crops, and then 

 we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we have a field or farm 

 that we can permanently improve, and that wet seasons will never 

 knock us out of a crop. This is a question that the farmer will do 

 well to investigate, especially as it relates to his own soil, remember- 

 ing that good tillage can never be practiced unless the land is well 

 drained, and that fertilizers and manures are worth little without 

 good tillage. Much more might be said relative to the good effects of 

 tile drainage, but the subject is too large to be treated here. It is our 

 hope, however, that the farmer will consider the suggestions offered 

 and pursue the subject further. 



Plowing to deepen the soil should be done in the fall or early win- 

 ter, usually the earlier the better, and whenever possible or prac- 

 tical a winter cover crop of rye, oats, barley, vetch, crimson or 

 burr clover, should be used. If the land is being prepared for cot- 

 ton perhaps rye alone, as a general rule, would be better, as the 

 clovers and vetch would not have time to get in their best work 

 before time to begin the spring preparation for cotton. If for cora, 

 the clovers or vetch should go with rye, oats or barley. The cover 

 crops and methods of getting them on the land will be considered later, 

 as will also their virtues. Deep fall plowing permits winter weather- 

 ing, which greatly improves the mechanical condition of stiff and 

 heavy clay soils, and is a very effective means of deepening the soil, 

 especially where organic matter is turned under. The furrows should 

 be set on edge, or at an angle of thirty to forty-five degi-ees, this will 

 permit better aeration of the soil, the subsoil is not turned out, and 

 the rains will penetrate readily. If the soil is stiff or heavy, or is 

 easily puddled, it is better to let it lie rough as left by the plow. 

 In this instance, however, when the condition of the soil is not such 

 as would preclude the probability of its germinating, it is advisable 

 to sow rye broadcast before plowing. The writer has sown rye in 

 this manner as late as the middle of November and secured a fair 

 stand when furrows were edged. The great need of soils of this char- 

 acter aside from deep plowing and drainage, is a strong and deep in- 



