PREPARATION OK LAND FOR THK SEED 147 



underlaid with urt day, it tfiuls to become 

 fibrous- rooted. Eveu lon^- lived perennials, as 

 trees, do best when the surface soil is well pre- 

 pared to a depth of ten to twelve inches, sin(;e 

 many feeding roots of trees, especially of younj; 

 ones, find nourishment in this prejiared soil. 



l!4(). Plants differ ^-eatly, however, m ability 

 to adapt themselves to unfavorable conditions. 

 Many common plants send their tap-roots into 

 the subsoil for two to three feet, even if it be 

 hard, wiiile su«rar beets become fibrous- rooted, 

 and may be pushed ii]i and i»artly out of the 

 ground if their tap-roots attempt to enter the 

 undisturbed hard subsoil. Land devoted to 

 clover need not necessarily be subsoiled if it 

 be fairly free frf)m stagnant water, while that, 

 planted to sugar beets should be subsoiled, 

 f'»r the reason that a long, fusiform root is 

 desired, all or nearly all of which should be 

 b.'low the surface ; for that part of the beet 

 which grows above the ground is not nearly so 

 valuable for making Bugaj* as that pm*t which 

 grows under ground. 



247. Nearly all of the c<jmmoD and quick- 

 growing plants secure tlie larger part of their 

 nourishment and moisture from the first, or sur- 

 face foot of soil. This being so, it is seen how 

 11 .T'^sary it is to ] ire] tare the soil in the best 

 p-'.^>;ble manner. If the up]»er soil is not well 



