CHAPTER VII. 

 PREPARATION OF THE LAND. 



OWHERE will the old adage "A stitch in time 

 saves nine" apply so strongly as here, and the 

 experienced grower invariably gives his soil a 

 most thorough preparation by plowing, disking 

 and pulverizing until a deep, mellow, compact 

 seed bed is prepared. Often in this part of the 

 country it is preferable to plow some time in 

 advance of the cropping season, so as to let the 

 land settle thoroughly, if possible catching some of the later trop- 

 ical rains to help settle the soil before finally harrowing to a fine 

 seed or plant bed. 



This method of preparation has many decided advantages, 

 inasmuch as it has a tendency to wash out any acidity contained 

 in the soil, and deposit nitrogen absorbed from the air by falling 

 rain, thus finding here a tempting seed bed in which to start 

 bacterial propagation. The careful, experienced grower has his 

 mind made up in advance as to the number of acres he wishes 

 to plant of any given variety. He plows carefully, turning a 

 straight, uniform furrow, in even sized lands. Should the soil 

 contain acidity he gives the sun a chance to act before he harrows 

 it down, and applies lime or wood ashes to further remedy this 

 defect. All furrows must be plowed in the proper direction so 

 water can find easy access to the lateral ditches by way of the 

 dead furrows, for more thorough drainage. 



If you are a novice you had better have some one experienced 

 lay off your lands, or lay out your rows, for if crooked they 

 will not only be harder to work, but will be an everlasting eyesore. 

 In case the land is seeded naturally with foul weed seeds, it is a 

 great saving to harrow thoroughly and let them come up several 

 times, and by repeated harrowings destroy the majority of them. 



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