140 



ELEMENTARY AGRICULTtJRE 



can be used on the land. We know that a mulch 

 prevents moisture from passing off into the air. It 

 is hard to believe, but we are told that in a certain 

 test it was found that a field with a hard crust on 

 the soil lost thirty tons of moisture per acre every 

 day for seven days by evaporation. 



The Seed Bed. Some farmers sow oats on corn 

 land with only a discing but a much better crop 



Fig, 76. A heavy crop of oats. 



will grow if the ground is plowed. If the soil is 

 light or sandy it is best to roll it after seeding, but 

 it should not be rolled when wet. After rolling, 

 drag it lightly to' make a surface mulch. 



The proper depth to sow the seed depends upon 

 the soil but in Illinois and Ohio the best crops are 

 raised by covering the seed with one inch of soil. 

 This is done by drilling the seed and following with 



