360 THE SMALL GRAINS 



followed by frequent cultivation, cannot be emphasized 

 too much. In loose, poorly packed soil, most of the avail- 

 able moisture to the depth of seeding will be lost by the 

 simple process of drying out to the full depth to which 

 the soil has been plowed, thus producing very unfavorable 

 conditions for the germination and early growth of the 

 crop. Early and thorough preparation of the seed-bed 

 not only prevents weeds, which are the worst means of 



FIG. 111. Breaking properly done, in thin slices, with the turned-over 

 sod lying flat. 



dissipating moisture, but also causes a compact seed-bed. 

 In a compact early worked seed-bed, there is more avail- 

 able plant-food than in soil later and less thoroughly cul- 

 tivated. When the time between plowing and seeding 

 is very short, or if the soil is unusually loose, it may be 

 advisable to use the packer. 



389. Packing the soil artificially is commonly practiced 

 in Saskatchewan, and often in the United States. Two 

 kinds of machines are employed, the surface and sub- 



