Importance of Pulverizing Findy. 33 



pestilent white grub, and other larvae of insects. Being 

 disturbed from their winter quarters, they are to a 

 great extent destroyed by exposure to the cold and air. 



In the case of sod land to be prepared for tilled 

 crops, there is a manifest advantage in turning it earlier 

 in the season, so as to hasten the decay of the turf ; 

 but with land already under cultivation the case is en- 

 tirely different, and the later it can be done the better. 



It is, of course, assumed that everything necessary 

 to a perfect drainage has been done prior to the pro- 

 cess of preparation here described. Wherever the 

 water has been extracted by drainage, it leaves a 

 moderate moisture in the soil (until withdrawn by 

 evaporation or taken up by the crop), which is exactly 

 the condition most favorable to vegetation. The vari- 

 ous processes of preparation, and later cultivation, are 

 directed more especially to the maintenance of this 

 condition. 



The ground should be finely pulverized both at and 

 below the surface, encouraging the roots to strike 

 downwards and below the immediate influence of the 

 hot sun. The air entering through the fine interstices 

 of the soil condenses its latent moisture upon the 

 cooler portions beneath the surface ; thus contributing 

 materially to the desired moisture, and also aiding the 

 chemical changes attendant upon plant growth. 



Another very important result of thorough and deep 

 pulverization is the capacity afforded to the soil of 

 directly absorbing and holding rain-water which other- 

 wise would flow off wastefuUy, if not destructively, on 

 the surface. Any one can see for himself the contrast 



