THE AMERICAN AND THE ITALIAN. 91 



proper tillage to receive the waterflow. Such is the ser- 

 vice rendered by the furrow system in addition to its fur- 

 nishing channels for the flow. Soils naturally open will 

 take water as well, and sometimes better, by other meth- 

 ods, as has already been explained. But by whatever 

 means water is brought to the soil the conservation of 

 the water depends largely upon the prevention of surface 

 evaporation which not only releases moisture but turns 

 the upper soil into a pavement which is fatal to shallow- 

 rooting plants. Therefore let the plow follow the irri- 

 gation, if it is fall or winter irrigation for the preparation 

 of a seed bed, and let the cultivator do its work finely 

 and to sufficient depth if it is summer irrigation for ad- 

 vanced plant growth. Do not let the irrigated land lie 

 until it yields clods to the cultivator. Seize it soon, as 

 good tilth waits on stirring; "and when 'tis done then 

 'twere well it were done quickly." 



RIDGES, HILLS, RAISED BEDS AND LEVEL 

 CULTURE. 



Though the considerations suggested by these words are 

 involved in irrigation and drainage, they are commonly 

 regarded as phases of cultivation. It is almost obvious 

 that all methods of lifting the plant bed above the com- 

 mon surface are equivalent to providing it with the fullest 

 facilities for surface drainage. Whenever, then, ridging 

 or hilling or raising whole garden beds is prastised with- 

 out connection with irrigation upon the elevated surface, 

 it affords exceptional means for the escape of surplus 

 water and relief to the plant from saturated soil. By this 

 act the winter growth of vegetables, hardly enough to 

 withstand the local climate, can be carried on in the most 

 retentive soil under a very heavy rainfall. 



Ridging. It matters not whether this ridging is done 

 very quickly with the plow by back furrowing or whether 

 a raised bed is made in the small garden with a retaining 

 border, the principle is the same and it is a very useful 

 one. It affords a ready answer to the requirement which 



