296 TOBACCO LEA.F. 



broken in the fall by a turning plow drawn by two or 

 three horses or mules. The land should not be closely 

 plowed, but left in ridges, the advantage of this being 

 that a much larger surface is exposed to the ameliorating 

 effects of the winter freezes. If the depth of the furrow 

 should be eight inches, the ridge would probably be 

 from twelve to fifteen inches high, allowing a portion of 



FIG. 87. THE SUCKER, TO BE REMOVED. 



the dirt to fall back in the furrow and another portion 

 to be thrown over in the previously run furrow. 



If the section of one of these ridges is an equilateral 

 triangle, the surface exposure will be increased one- 

 third, and two-thirds will reap the direct benefit of the 

 freezes. The freezes and thaws alternating will pulver- 

 ize and mellow the soil and put it in such a fine mechan- 

 ical condition, that the subsequent rebreaking in the 

 following February or March will put it in prime order 

 for the growth of any crop. Upon land so prepared, the 

 roots of plants have a wide pasture ground, where they 

 may range in search of food without let or hindrance. 

 The air can penetrate such a soil easily, and the capillary 



