CHAPTER VI. 



CULTIVATION. 



Cultivation, or the mechanical handling of soil for the 

 benefit of crops, includes a large part of the labor of 

 farming. 



An understanding of the reasons for the different pro- 

 cesses embraced in the tillage of the soil, and of the 

 benefits to be derived from them, is essential to success 

 in agriculture. 



Purposes. The purposes of cultivation may be classi- 

 fied as follows : - 



1. To break up the s0^7, or make it " mellow" so that 

 the roots of plants may easily penetrate it. 



The roots of a few varieties of plants are very hard 

 and firm. 



Some are provided with a sharp point at the tip, so 

 that they are able to penetrate hard substances. Quitch- 

 grass roots will sometimes grow entirely through a 

 potato. But the roots of most agricultural plants are 

 more delicate, and make their way with difficulty through 

 hard soil. 



In poorly cultivated soil, filled with hard lumps, roots 

 are found to occupy the mellow portions, avoiding the 

 lumps. To leave the soil in a lumpy condition is there- 

 fore to reduce the extent of the feeding ground of the 

 plant. 

 (100) 



