86 Progressive Agriculture 



In applying the labor for summer tilling, as 

 previously explained under the heading "Prepar- 

 ation Before Seeding", we have verified the truth 

 that correct principles in the preparation of the 

 seed and root bed is a long stride forward for 

 growing good crops in any season in the semi- 

 humid sections, but to complete the success it 

 must be followed by timely seeding and the right 

 quantity per acre. 



The first step in summer tilling, as previously 

 explained, is to double disk the land as early as 

 soil conditions will permit. This may be done 

 with a single disk by lapping half and letting the 

 outside disk of the next round fill in the center or 

 dead furrow made by the previous disk. But by 

 far the better plan is to use the tandem or double 

 disk shown in Cut No. 22. It is much easier to 

 regulate the depth and a more uniform job can 

 be done with less expense. 



LOOK OUT FOR BLOWING 



It is not desirable, as a rule, to disk deeply, 

 especially the first time over early in the spring, 

 for the reason that if it becomes hot and dry and 

 frequent high winds prevail, the early disked 

 field might begin to blow if the land was sandy 

 and more especially so if the land had been farmed 

 in a somewhat careless manner for several years, 

 in which case it becomes loose and dead. 



Soil not only becomes dead by untimely and 

 incorrect tillage but it can be kept alive by correct 

 timely work. If you have not disked deeply on 

 the start it is very easy, should it start to blow, 



