CROP PRODUCTION 69 



Preparation of the seed bed. In the previous chapter, 

 it was stated that the greatest effort in helping plants to 

 secure their needs for growth and development is expended 

 on tillage. Most of the tillage operations have to do with pre- 

 paring the soil for seed. In other words, tillage operations 

 prepare for the growth and development of plants. They 

 begin with plowing and end with some operation that will 

 leave the surface level, with the upper layer of the soil finely 

 divided but granular in clay and loam soils, and somewhat 

 compact hi sandy soils. Such conditions of the soil are 

 favorable for the germination of the seed and the develop- 

 ment of the young seedlings. 



In this connection, it is well to keep in mind soil and its 

 relation to plants as discussed in detail in the previous 

 chapters. The preparation of the seed bed means putting 

 into practice some of the principles of soil management. 



The thoroughness necessary for preparation of the seed 

 bed varies considerably with different crops. Some crops, 

 such as potatoes, require a deep open seed bed; others, such 

 as wheat, need to have the sub-surface well packed. Modi- 

 fications of the general procedure, required in preparing 

 the seed bed for particular crops, will be pointed out when 

 such crops are discussed. 



Planting. This refers to getting the plant started. In 

 most cases it is done by sowing seeds, as with corn, wheat or 

 oats; in others, instead of seeds, cuttings are used, as with 

 potatoes or sugar cane; again, plants are started from seeds 

 in a specially prepared seed bed and then transplanted, as 

 with tomatoes. 



The requirements for planting vary so much among farm 

 plants that no general procedure can be outlined. Three 

 questions arise with reference to the planting of any crop: 



