234 Ronnie's agriculture. 



In starting on a prairie farm (in its natural con- 

 dition) in the spring, the farmer should plow early 

 three or four inches deep, using a breaking plow 

 (see III. ijj) with two or three oxen or horses as the 

 case may be. Roll soon after plowing, with a heavy 

 roller, then harrow to conserve moisture. See III, 46. 

 Sow a few acres with spring wheat soon as thoroughly 

 prepared. This may be used for bread the first 

 year. A few acres should also be sown with oats to 

 feed the animals, not later than the end of May. 

 Potatoes may be planted, and vegetables and swede 

 turnip seed should be sown for winter use. 



It is important to keep the breaking plow going. 

 On this depends the following year's crops. Con- 

 tinue to roll and harrow after plowing to conserve 

 moisture. The sod will rot much sooner. 



The portion that has not been cropped will 

 require to be back-set in the autumn by plowing 

 about one inch deeper then the first time; then 

 thoroughly harrow. The portion that was cropped 

 should be gang-plowed three or four inches deep, and 

 harrowed. This will level the land and leave it in 

 good shape for early seeding, which is important in 

 this north country where the summer season is 

 short. 



Wheat, oats and barley, in the order named, 

 should be sown in spring soon after the snow is off 

 the land and the frost is out one or two inches. 

 Grain sown while the frost is in the subsoil will make 

 more rapid growth on account of the moisture 

 caused by the thawing out below. A new settler, 

 commencing with limited capital, usually sows the 

 grain by hand, but as soon as possible he should get 

 a grain-drill, so that the grain may be planted at a 

 uniform depth. This is especially necessary on the 

 prairies, where the roots of the young plants are 

 liable to get uncovered with the strong winds. 



