58 PLOWING 
But was Poor Richard exercising the right of poetic 
license, which allows one to measure thought in verse 
although the truth sought to be conveyed be far 
fetched? 
In determining the depth to plow, it is well to first 
consider why we plow at all. 
It must be conceded that the object to be secured in 
plowing is to obtain a seed bed most favorable for 
plant growth and development, and such a seed bed is 
one that will hold sufficient moisture, air and heat, so 
that chemical and germ action will take place therein, 
that plant food may be prepared for the growing crops. 
There must be sufficient room for root development. 
And a deep seed bed well filled with organic matter will 
so increase the storage capacity of soils for water, and 
so reduce the effects of evaporation, that a sufficient 
quantity of moisture will be secured to bring the crop 
to maturity, no matter how dry the season may be. 
A shallow seed bed cannot possibly hold sufficient 
organic matter, moisture, air or heat, to meet the needs 
of growing plants. A study of the corn root system 
ought to convince any one that a shallow seed bed does 
not meet the requirements essential to good corn grow- 
ing. A larger space must be given for the roots of 
most any plant. 
If your soil, below the depth to which it has always 
been plowed is close, compact, or hardpan, the roots 
of plants will not penetrate it, nor will they secure suf- 
ficient moisture. The deeper the seed bed the more 
room for plant roots and the greater the supply of plant 
food and moisture. 
