CORNELL 



1ReabinG*Course for Jfarmers 



Published Monthly by the New York State College of Agriculture 

 AT Cornell University, from November to March, and Entered at 

 Ithaca as Second-class Matter under Act of Congress, July i6, 1894. 

 L. H. Bailey, Director. Charles H. Tuck, Supervisor. 



SERIES vm. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



ITHACA, N. Y. 

 DECEMBER 1907 



No. 37. 



DRAINAGE. 



Supplement to BuH. No. 2. 



DRAINAGE AND LARGER CROPS. 



By E. O. FippiN. 



The first four bulletins in the 

 Reading-Course series are devoted 

 to the soil as a medium for plant 

 growth. In the first bulletin, the 

 general characteristics of soil are 

 stated. In the third bulletin, rhe 

 plant- food supply in the soil — its 

 kinds, amounts and means of in- 

 crease by the use of fertilizers and 

 manures — is discussed. The fourth 

 bulletin shows how the plant takes 

 its food from the soil, and the sec- 

 ond bulletin explains some of the 

 ways in which the soil may be 

 modified by means of tillage and 

 drainage so that it will be a more 

 congenial home for the plant. The 

 discussion in these bulletins implies 

 that the plant requires a number 

 of things for its growth. It must 

 have food, moisture, light, heat 

 and air ; and in addition all our 

 common plants have root systems 

 adapted not only to taking in food, 

 but al.so to holding the plant in its 

 normal position so that it can grow 

 properly and naturally. 



Fig. 3-]. 



-Dig^iiii^ a main diich by 

 hand in stony soil. 



If just the right amount and kind of any one of these essential condi- 

 tions for growth are withheld, the development of the plant is impaired. 

 For example, if there is not enough food the plant will be small and 

 stunted in appearance. A low temperature may hinder or even prevent 

 the normal growth and development of the individual. 



451 



