32 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the application of manures. Tools are the key that unlock the elemeucs 

 of plant food locked up in the soil. All that man can do is to assist 

 nature. She has provided in most of our soils fertility abundant for 

 the needs of our crops.' We can by judicious tillage set the plant food 

 free, as our crops demand it. We must work intelligently. We must 

 eat our bread in the sweat of our face, as well as the sweat of our 

 muscle. Our muscle must be guided by intelligence, and the tillage must 

 be adapted to the given crop. For instance, no one would think of pre- 

 paring the ground the same for wheat and for sugar beets. Corn likes a 

 soil mellow to a good depth, while wheat wants a well packed sub-soil 

 with a mellow surface. Cultivation is directed to two objects: First, 

 to kill weeds, and, second, ' to conserve moisture. There is a right 

 and a wrong way to cultivate for the latter purpose. Take the corn 

 crop for instance; here we must plow early to save all the spring mois- 

 ture, cultivation begins as soon as the plowing is done to conserve the 

 moisture. By this I mean that as soon as the ground is plowed and the 

 surface dried it is harrowed, and put in the proper tilth for receiving 

 the seed. As soon as the corn is planted the field is harrowed to kill 

 the young weeds as soon as they have germinated and to prepare the 

 surface mulch to prevent the transpiration of moisture. If the ground 

 be a clay loam, use a rather heavier harrow with slanting teeth, but if it 

 be a sandy loam use a weeder. Later, when the corn shall be well up, 

 (;ultivate deep at first and gradually lessening the depth until the later 

 cultivation be not to exceed two and one-half inches deep, the cultivator 

 going frequently over the field. 



I can grow a crop of early potatoes and secure a good harvest with 

 not a drop of rain between planting and digging. To do this I must 

 understand the root system of the crop and cultivate accordingly, keep- 

 ing the surface soil well stirred and a dust mulch to the depth of a 

 couple of inches over the entire field. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Greening of IMonroe: In our nvirsery work with fruit and forest trees we find 

 it advisable to cultivate deep where the trees are small, and shallower later. On heavy- 

 soil we cultivate deeper than on lighter ones. 



E. L. Lockwood of Monroe: After all is said that can be said on other points it 

 must be admitted that the cow is the bed rock of fertility. She has many enemies to 

 fight, among which not the least is counterfeit butter. It is the duty of the govern- 

 ment to protect the farmers against this evil. It is to be regretted that Mr. Lillie could 

 not liave been here to discuss that most important topic, the relation of live stock to 

 soil fertility. No discussion could be more helpful to this Institute than one relating to 

 cows. 



Q. What kind of soil produced the melons to which you refer? 



Roland Morrill: It was a rich black loam. 



Q. How deep should the cultivation be for melons? 



Mr. Morrill: A maximum of four inches, grading off" to shallow. Be careful not to 

 kill the roots. If no rain is expected compact the lower soil and form a surface 

 mulch. 



Q. Would you use a roller? 



Mr. Morrill": Yes, at the right time, and in the right way. 



Q. Where did you raise these melons? 



Mr. Morrill: Near Benton Harbor. 



