FARM CROPS. 



95 



sprouting of the seed, in the most favorable amounts 

 for perfect germination. The preparation of the seed 

 bed is the means the farmer uses to modify and supply 

 these conditions for the planted seed. 



Preparation of the Seed Bed. As stated above, the 

 object of the preparation of the soil is to provide 

 the most favorable conditions for the sprouting of the 

 seed and further the growth of the living plant. The 

 kind of plowing, the depth of plowing, the time of 

 plowing, etc., must necessarily depend largely upon the 

 nature of the soil, the climate, the lay of the land, and 

 numerous other factors. However, this general prin- 

 ciple can be kept in mind under all conditions, viz., the 

 corn plants need a deeply prepared seed bed soil, in 

 fine tilth, so as to supply and conserve moisture, admit 

 heat and air, and provide abundance of space for the 

 innumerable small spreading roots and root hairs. 

 The functions of the roots are to hold the plants in 

 place, support them in an upright position, and supply 

 plant food which is carried to the leaves, elaborated, 

 by the chemical process of the fluids in the cells of 

 the plant in the presence of air and sunshine, into ma- 

 terials that build up the various parts of the plant 



ROOT DISTRIBUTION AT SILKING TIME. 



