U BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



knows he gets no such results as in following the clover 

 plant, for the reason that the preceding tiniotliy crop has 

 drawn upon the plant food in the same depth of soil which 

 the roots of other plants call upon for food, and hence they 

 find a somewhat impoverished soil. The clover, on the 

 other hand, draws up from the depths beneatli an abundance 

 of plant food, and leaves it close to the surface, where other 

 plants may use it. I want to emphasize especially this 

 afternoon the importance of a careful study of the legumi- 

 nous plants. AYe should use them in every possible wa}'^ in 

 the growing of our farm crops. 



Soils may be improved in several ways : by tillage, which 

 is one of the lirst in importance, for through tillage the soil 

 must first be put in proper condition for the growing of 

 plants of whatever kind desired. Plowing and after-tillage 

 are essential to be understood in relation to the effects pro- 

 duced upon the crops to be grown. 



We have not yet reached the point of the best culture of 

 our soil ; there is too much crude practice in this very im- 

 portant operation. Through tillage alone great improvement 

 may be made in most soils, as they contain more or less of 

 potential plant food, but in unavailable form. Unless the 

 mechanical condition of the soil is right, the expenditure of 

 money for fertilizers will not be productive of profitable or 

 satisfactory results. Hence good tillage is one of the first 

 and most valuable processes to be employed in soil improve- 

 ment. 



I want to emphasize again the value and the imi)ortancc 

 of thorough tillage. It is seldom that I see anywhere in the 

 preparation of land for a cereal crop, anything like adequate 

 tillage given to the soil. Two or three more harrowings or 

 cultivations would add bushels at the harvest time ; and yet 

 too often farmers in their haste will not give the time neces- 

 sary to reduce the soil to the fine condition in which the 

 ])lants which arc to occupy it may obtain the })lant food which 

 is there abundantly. No, iarmers do not spend money for 

 chemical fertilizers until you have at least worked out some 

 portion of plant food in the soil which is there and ready for 

 use; it is much wiser to put the labor upon the land, and 



