24 LIFE ON THE FARM. 



plowing. It is often in a better condition, too, for 

 early spring working than ground not plowed in 

 the fall, and an early and successful crop can be 

 started under more favorable conditions than would 

 otherwise be possible. When it is dry enough to 

 work, a good harrowing generally will reduce it to 

 a smooth mellow condition, giving it the power to 

 retain the largest amount of heat and moisture. 



It is a well known physical fact that the more 

 surface a given quantity of matter presents to the 

 air, the faster it will dry out, or allow evaporation 

 to take place. So, when it is desired to retain as 

 much water as possible in the soil, the surface 

 should be left smooth and level. After the ground 

 is plowed, but before the crop is planted, this is 

 best done by harrowing it down to a moderately 

 fine powder. With crops such as corn and pota- 

 toes, which require cultivation after being planted, 

 cultivators should be used which leave the soil as 

 level as possible. Rows of plants left in ridges, or 

 hilled up, exposing so much surface to the air, 

 thus allowing the moisture to escape by too rapid 

 evaporation, generally suffer from lack of water. 

 Some root crops, if the soil be of a close, heavy 

 nature, require this kind of cultivation in order to get 

 the soil loose enough for them to expand in, but care 

 should be taken to prevent a complete drying out. 



If the store of water which sinks into the ground 

 during the winter is to be relied upon for the sum- 

 mer's crop, it is essential to plant as early as the 



