* DEPTH OF PLOWING 61 



tributed to deep fall plowing. The preparation of the 

 seed bed the following spring was the fault. The logic in 

 the reference to the preparation of fall plowed ground in 

 the spring is just as applicable to the deep fall plowing as 

 the medium depth plowing because air and moisture 

 must be properly proportioned the full depth of the 

 seed bed. 



Another benefit that can be derived from deep plow- 

 ing is the eradication of weeds. Shallow plowing very 

 seldom does anything except to more effectively plant 

 weed seeds. When plowing is done to effectively 

 bury all vegetation and seeds deep in the ground it is 

 impossible for the majority of them to sprout and reach 

 the surface before the crop which is planted above them 

 can sprout and reach a good growth. This fact is due 

 to the peculiar nature of plant growth. 



There is no reason to believe that weeds should grow 

 any faster than other plants unless conditions for their 

 growth are more favorable. This is the reason why 

 certain kinds of grassy weeds appear in the blue grass 

 lands when the^ blue grass itself is drying out from lack 

 of moisture. To put it another way, these grassy 

 weeds flourish with less moisture than blue grass does. 

 To get rid of weeds means to keep the ground in a con- 

 dition for the more favorable growth of the plant that 

 the farmer wishes to grow. 



Deep plowing in the spring of the year puts the weed 

 seeds so far down with the turned surface that the 

 ground is cooler than that above, hence the sprouting of 

 the seed is retarded. If the surface soil is cultivated at 

 the time it should be, the surface of the ground will be 

 warmer by the evaporation of moisture and the crop 

 can be planted and receive a good start before the weeds 



