242 THE CEREALS IN AMERICA 



In these experiments only the loss of water from evaporation 

 was determined. The looser soil will absorb more of the rain- 

 fall and thus lessen the amount that runs off the surface. This 

 is especially true of compact clay soil and those having consid- 

 erable slope. Generally, but not always, the looser soil will hold 

 the most water and retard its falling beyond the reach of the 

 roots. Since the trials which have been made indicate that 

 surface cultivation is better than no stirring, and since occa- 

 sional stirring has given as good results as frequent stirring, 

 the inference is that so far as the conservation of moisture is 

 concerned the most important effect of stirring the soil is to 

 enable it to absorb and hold the rainfall. 



315. Hilling and Bedding. — Some throwing of the earth towards 

 the row is often necessa/v in order to cover and destroy weeds. 

 On all well-drained soils, hilling does not give any better results 



than level culture, and 



'P^?^"*^-^fW^vy;?D? when, in order to hill, 



ESiii^^iiSTi^iSiili^ifeSife^ deep cultivation is 



< 6fT— > • 1 1 • . 



practiced, then injury 



Method of bedding for low wet land. (After Hartley.) * v ^ 1 



results. (3 1 2) On the 

 poorly drained bottom lands of the Southern States bedding is 

 practiced to give surface drainage. The Mississippi Station* 

 recommends that the beds be made eight feet wide or wide 

 enough for two rows with water furrows in the alternate rows. 



1 Miss. BuL 2^ 



