PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 



before the manure is applied. For the second 

 ploughing, which is to turn the manure under, a 

 depth of six inches would be sufficient, and prefer- 

 able : so as to leave the manure as near the surface 

 as possible, and still have it covered. 



Then, if the land is lumpy or hard, a wheel 

 harrow or some implement for breaking up the 

 lumps should be put to service. Lumpy, uneven 

 ground, or coarse soil, will never do to plant in: 

 seeds will not catch uniformly or grow well in 

 it; the plants will lack uniformity, and will not 

 mature together. The importance of this matter 

 is too generally underrated; very few people have 

 anything like an adequate idea of it. If the 

 ground is to be devoted to raising greens, or some 

 sowed crop where a drill is to be employed, a 

 Meeker harrow will smooth the surface nicely, 

 so that the seed-sow T er will do its work to satis- 

 faction. A full description of its operation may 

 be found in the chapter treating on Farming 

 Implements. 



This harrow will prepare the surface sufficiently 

 well for such crops as onions, cabbages, or beets, 

 and for spinach and other sorts of greens; but 

 for such small, fine seeds as those of lettuce, 



[37] 



