CHAPTER XL 



OBJECTS, METHODS AND IMPLEMENTS OF TILLAGE, 



Tilling the soil is one of the oldest of agricultural arts, 

 and during its long practice very many methods have been 

 adopted and tools devised for securing the ends sought. 



272. Objects of Tillage. The term "tillage" has been 

 applied to the different methods of working the soil in or- 

 der to secure the conditions needful for the growth of cul- 

 tivated crops. The chief objects which tillage aims to 

 secure are: 



1. To destroy and prevent the growth of weeds and 

 other vegetation not desired upon the ground. 



2. To place beneath the surface manure, stubble and 

 other organic matter where it will not be in the way and 

 where it may be converted rapidly into humus. 



3. To develop various degrees of openness of texture 

 and uniformity of soil conditions suitable to the planting 

 of seeds and the setting of plants. 



4. In still other cases the object of tillage may be to so 

 modify the movements of soil moisture and of soil air. 



5. In still other cases the objects of tillage may be to so 

 change conditions as to make the soil either warmer or 

 colder. 



TILLAGE TO DESTROY WEEDS. 



It mus>t ever be kept in mind that wherever weeds are al 

 lowed to grow they are removing from the soil both avail- 

 able moisture and plant food in the form of soluble salts 

 and, to whatever extent this is permitted, to that extent is 



