8 Progressive Agriculture 



is at the mercy of the clouds and sunshine, the 

 drouth and storm. 



But most practical farmers know that tillage 

 is very important, and they understand pretty 

 well how to get some good and sure results through 

 intelligent tillage. But there are some things 

 that are more important than others, and that, 

 so it has been demonstrated, are doubly im- 

 portant in the semi-humid regions of the country, 

 in connection with tillage. For instance: 



Tillage and its relation to available plant food 

 in the soil by the storing, controlling and utilizing 

 of the available water, whether from the clouds, 

 ditch or sub-irrigation. This has not heretofore 

 been considered as of first importance. 



The farmer must recognize this importance, 

 and he must eventually come to understand just 

 what happens in chemical action or bacterial 

 development under certain ideal soil conditions, as 

 well as what happens when the soil is not in con- 

 dition to properly utilize the water. 



Available plant food depends on this process 

 which goes on in nature's laboratory during the 

 time soils are being prepared for crops or between 

 the time of fitting and planting of the crops. The 

 farmer may, to a large extent, guide and control 

 this. Intelligent tillage is the key to the situation. 



As it is now fully understood, that which is 

 done to bring about the most favorable condition 

 for this laboratory action, whatever it is or 

 however it comes about, will also produce the 

 ideal condition for the soil for quick germination 

 of the seed and rapid root growth. (See Cut No. 

 11.) 



