CAMPBELL'S SOIL CULTURE MANUAL 69 



where the subsurface packer has not been used. It is in 

 this kind of a seed bed that the wheat frequently remains 

 all the fall without germinating; again it may sprout 

 because of a shower only to wither and die from later dry 

 windy weather, or perchance may absorb just enough 

 to burst the shell and send the germ out slightly and a 

 few feeble rootlets, then be completely ruined by the 

 winter freezing because of a lack of moisture in the soil 

 about the roots to draw the frost in thawing out. All 

 this is because of an unbalanced ration, too much air and 

 too little water. 



IDEAL CONDITION OF SOIL. 



On the left we have the ideal condition, a condition 

 that can easily be attained at a nominal expense. By 

 the use of the sub-surface packer when the soil is in proper 

 condition as previously explained, we get that fine, even 

 firm condition as shown, to a depth of seven inches; then 

 with a good harrow we secure the fine, loose mulch 

 about two inches deep; with the closed heel shoe drill we 

 provided that V-shaped opening about one inch in the 

 firm soil into which the grain drops. As it reaches the 

 bottom it is surrounded, except over the top, with fine, 

 firm moist soil. The fine dirt that very naturally fills 

 this opening as the shoe moves along, puts our wheat 

 where all conditions are as nearly perfect to utilize the 

 greatest quantity of the greatest number of nature's pro- 

 visions or resources for the rapid, healthy prolific growth 

 of the plant. 



The numerous small moist particles of soil that come 

 in contact with the wheat .conveys the moisture quickly 

 and in ample quantities. This, coupled with the air from 

 above brings about the very remarkable germination and 

 development shown at the extreme left of cut No. 8 in the 

 short space of five days. 



