Progressive Agriculture 13 



CLASS IV PHYSICAL CONDITION 



After plowing it is important to put the plowed 

 ground into proper physical condition, with as 

 little delay as possible. The tendency of the plow 

 is to leave numerous large and small openings in 

 the bottom of the furrow. Sometimes when soils 

 are in ideal condition to plow moderately fair, 

 rains will dissolve and settle the lower part of the 

 freshly plowed ground, but this cannot be de- 

 pended on; so spare no time in quickly getting 

 the lower portion of the furrow slice fine and firm, 

 leaving the top somewhat coarse and loose. This 

 prompt action is especially important to offset 

 bad effects that will come if there follows closely 

 a period of hot, dry weather. The quicker the 

 seed and root bed are put into condition after 

 plowing, to carry the proper per cent of air and 

 water, the greater are your chances for a high 

 limit in yield from a small amount of water. 



CLASS V KEEPING UP TILLAGE 



The fifth thing to remember is to improve the 

 seed and root bed by every subsequent act of tillage f 

 prior to planting. In other words, let the work 

 all be timely and of the right kind, that at plant- 

 ing time there will be most favorable conditions 

 for quick germination of seed and rapid growth of 

 roots. This will also aid nature in her further 

 liberation of plant food. The favorable time for 

 crop making is when the seed and root bed is fine 

 and firm and carrying a high per cent of moisture, 

 with the proper amount of air and the right 



