522 FARM MANAGEMENT 



particular farm is not often available, but published re- 

 ports may give an idea of the soil in general. Many 

 times a good farm looks bad because of neglect. It is 

 often possible to secure such a farm at a bargain. One 

 must distinguish between a neglected farm and a poor 

 farm. 



323. Physical properties of the soil. Ease of tillage 

 is an important factor in the cost of production. In 

 general, the loamy and sandy soils are easiest to till. 

 Such soils can be worked soon after a rain and can be 

 worked earlier in the spring. This makes it possible to 

 do much more work in the year. 



Ease of working and fertility are antagonistic. In 

 general, the sandy soils are easiest to work, but least 

 fertile. The clays usually contain more plant-food, but 

 are hard to work. For types of farming that require a 

 very large amount of labor, the ease of tillage offsets the 

 cost of manure and fertilizers, so that sandy soils are 

 preferred. For types that require little labor, ease of 

 working is gladly sacrificed for greater fertility. A soil 

 that is ideal for timothy or wheat or pasture is far from 

 ideal for truck growing. 



For most types of farming, the loamy soils are best. 

 They are fairly easy to work and are usually fertile. Such 

 soils are adapted to the widest variety of crops, and allow 

 for diversified farming. 



324. Drainage. Natural drainage is best if it is not 

 at too great a sacrifice in character of soil. Soils that are 

 coarse enough to provide good drainage are often too 

 coarse to hold fertility. Some of the loamy soils are 

 good in both respects. Natural drainage lasts and re- 

 quires no bill for repairs. 



If artificial drainage is necessary, the present condition 



