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many farmers have felt and expressed the opinion during this 

 season's drought that water figured as a more essential factor, 

 necessary to insure success, than liberal manuring. This 

 leads us to realize the importance of studying the best methods 

 of application, and also the cultivation to best retain the most 

 moisture in our dry soils. 



I would define cultivation as meaning collectively, — plough- 

 ing, pulverizing, manner of seeding, and care of crop. 



But first, for a moment give our attention to best time and 

 method of applying manures, especially those most insoluble. 

 Shall we apply all manure on hand, and obtainable in fall or 

 winter, for any and all crops, directly to the land, or allow the 

 same to decompose in heaps on the field to be applied in 

 Spring. 



While the pressing cares and labor of harvest time have 

 frequently interfered with fall ploughing, all lands intended 

 for spring planting, yet I would invariably put in practice deep 

 fall ploughing on all land not too sloping^ and harrow in all 

 the manure on hand and to be procured, if needed, believing 

 that by this method the land and manure are more benefitted 

 for the coming crop than if applied in spring. 



I have also tried the method which is becoming quite popu- 

 lar, of leaving manure wholly exposed on the surface of fall 

 ploughed land, with most satisfactory results, but prefer 

 harrowing in if applied before the ground closes. 



The theory seems reasonable, and practical test proves that 

 that the land having become impregnated with the plant food 

 in the manure, is in much better condition for nourishing and 

 forcing the tender plant, and having become decomposed 

 retains the moisture better than if applied in Spring. 



In visiting different sections of the State and county, I have 

 observed one very marked feature of tliis season's crops, viz.: 

 That there are but few ordinary crops, but mostly varying 

 from one extreme to the other, being either very poor or very 

 good, while the best crops have been produced on naturally 

 moist and low land. Some good crops have been grown on land 



