CAMPB-ELL'S SOIL CULTURE MANUAL 177 



endorsement for the reason that almost any farmer knows 

 that to summer fallow tis commonly practiced is a waste 

 of time and money. In the semi-arid belt it scarcely 

 improves the physical condition of the soil and does not 

 materially increase the available fertility. While we have 

 thoroughly discussed this question under another heading 

 referring especially to that of " Summer Culture," yet its 

 work is of such great importance, and the additional expense 

 so little compared to results, that we cannot resist a repe- 

 tition in part. If the work is properly done the returns 

 are large. Begin first in the early spring, just as soon a 

 the frost is out of the ground, arid the soil sufficiently dry 

 to permit of disking without the soil adhering to the disk, 

 lapping half, so as to thoroughly pulverize the surface, thus 

 putting your ground in condition to prevent evaporation, 

 as well as to admit of the rapid percolation of the early 

 rains and you will be surprised at results. Keep the sur- 

 face harrowed or loosened by the use of some tool to the 

 depth of at least two inches, plowing in June or July, the 

 time when the other work is least pressing, to a depth of 

 six or seven inches, following the plow closely with the 

 sub-surface packer and let the packer be followed closely 

 with the harrow, keeping in mind that all important point 

 of working the soil when it is in the best condition to 

 most thoroughly pulverize, continuing this surface culti- 

 vation after the plowing through the entire season. In 

 this kind of work in the northwest, as well as in any por- 

 tion of the semi-arid belt, it is very important to do this 

 surface cultivating, whether it be with the common harrow 

 or spring tooth or disk, at a time when the soil is in the 

 best possible condition; that is, simply moist, not dry or 

 wet. Then you have a fine, even soil mulch composed of 

 minute lumps, a condition you cannot get if the soil is dry 



