12 Progressive Agriculture 



the loosened soil, commonly termed the mulch. 

 Proper moisture in soils means life and growth, 

 but dryness death to all plant development. 

 The right per cent of moisture will also make pos- 

 sible easier and better plowing. More surely, 

 also, will this careful preparation assure to the 

 soil the moisture that will make it more sus- 

 ceptible to each and every tillage act designed to 

 obtain the ideal physical condition of the seed 

 and root bed. In short, water is the prime ele- 

 ment, not only for the plant to drink but to aid 

 in getting the soil in ideal condition, to build up 

 the soil and increase plant food. 



CLASS III PLOWING 



The third division of the topic is the command 

 to plow the land well, and in this much depends on 

 the moisture conditions of the soil when it is done. 

 If you would get the greatest good out of the least 

 possible expense in tillage, give to the second 

 class very careful consideration, then be sure your 

 furrow is even in depth and width and well 

 turned. As to the depth of plowing, very much 

 depends upon what is possible in the follow-up 

 work as well as the condition of the soil when 

 plowed and the time likely to elapse between the 

 plowing and the planting of the crop. Much also 

 depends on whether the soil is new or virgin soil 

 or old land that has been plowed several years. 



From 5 to 7 inches is a fair range of depth, but 

 the deeper the plowing is done the greater effort 

 must be made to immediately obliterate all air 

 cavities or firm the lower part of the furrow. 



