THE SOIL 9 



A shallow soil can always be improved by properly 

 deepening it. The principle of greatest importance in soil 

 preparation is the gradual deepening of the soil in order 

 that plant roots may have more comfortable homes. If the 

 farmer has been accustomed to plow but four inches deep, 

 he should adjust the plow so as to turn five inches at the 

 next plowing, then six, and so on until the seed bed is nine 

 or ten inches deep. This gradual deepening will not injure 

 the soil but will put it quickly in good physical condition. 

 If to good tillage rotation of crops be added, the soil will 

 become more fertile with each succeeding year. 



The plow, harrow, and roller are all necessary to good 

 tillage and a proper preparation of the seed bed. The soil 

 must be compact and clods of all sizes crushed. Then the 

 air circulates freely, and paying crops are the rule and not 

 the exception. 



Tillage does these things : It increases the plant-food 

 supply, destroys weeds, and influences the moisture content 

 of the soil. 



EXERCISE 



1. What tools are used in tillage? 



2. Why should a poor and shallow soil be plowed shallow ? 



3. Why should a poor and shallow soil be well compacted before 

 sowing the crop ? 



4. Explain the value of a circulation of air in the soil. 

 \5. What causes iron to rust? 



6. Why is a two-horse turning plow better than a one-horse plow ? 



7. Where will clods do the least harm, on top of the soil or 

 below the surface ? 



8. Do plant roots penetrate clods ? 



9. Are earthworms a benefit or an injury to the soil? 

 10. Name three things that a plow does. 



