54 



WHEAT 



Fig. 14. Soil that has been listed in the best possible condition 

 to catch the rainfall. 



tion thereafter to maintain a soil mulch and de- 

 stroy weeds. Such treatment puts the soil in 

 ideal condition for seeding in the fall or spring, 

 but the continuous cultivation leaves the surface 

 soil finely pulverized and smooth, which favors 

 soil washing with heavy rains and soil drifting 

 in strong winds. Some practice plowing twice, 

 rather shallow in the spring and deeper the second 

 time about midsummer, giving surface cultiva- 

 tion after the second plowing sufficient to prepare 

 a good seed bed. 



Summer tillage may exhaust the plant food 

 of the soil faster than continuous cropping, since 



