144 CAMPBELL'S SOIL CULTURE MANUAL 



as soon after the drain as conditions would permit, thus 

 producing a perfect protection to the moisture below, 

 and bringing about the remarkable result referred to. 



While these cases cited seem like extreme instances, 

 under similar circumstances you can look for similar re- 

 sults. When the reader begins to understand the direct 

 effect of these conditions it will then be quite clear why 

 a light crop was secured when a good crop might have 

 been harvested. 



TIME OF CULTIVATION. 



The exact time for the cultivation of a field cannot 

 be fixed by any arbitrary rules. Certain things can be 

 stated, as for instance- 

 Too moist soil will settle, so that you have accom- 

 plished nothing by cultivation. 



Too dry soil will break up into clods and the surface 

 mulch will be imperfect. 



Too wet soil will when cultivated, form a connection 

 between the surface and the subsoil, so that moisture 

 will be steadily carried to the surface. 



Too dry soil will be left by cultivation so that the air 

 goes down into it and carries away moisture. 



But you should always cultivate immeditaely or as 

 soon after a rain as the soil conditions become suitable. 

 One of these conditions is that the soil does not adhere 

 to the cultivator or tool used. Usually soil sufficiently 

 dried so it will not stick will be such as will form the right 

 kind of a mulch. 



We do not mean by this that the soil should be abso- 

 lutely dry on the surface. It is an error to wait for that 

 time, for the moment the surface is apparently dry the 

 crust begins to form. It is desirable to catch the ground 

 just before this time when all the soil is simply moist, 



