SOILS AND FERTILIZERS 



good capillary connection of the surface soil and subsoil 

 is not obtained, and the furrow slice soon becomes dry. 



Surface cultivation should immediately follow spring 

 plowing. 



34. Mulching. The use of well-rotted manure or 

 straw, spread over the surface as a mulch, prevents 

 evaporation. In forests the leaves form a mulch which 

 is an important factor in maintaining the water supply. 

 In order that a mulch be effectual, it must be com- 

 pacted, a loose pile of straw is not a mulch. In 

 reclaiming lands gullied by water, mulching is very 

 beneficial, also a light mulch may be used to encourage the 

 growth of grass on a refractory hillside. Surface cultiva- 

 tion and mulching may be advantageously combined. 14 



