GRASS SODS 



especially in the case of the cowpea in the south, 

 and the stubble prepared for seeding by use of 

 the cutaway or disk harrow. 



Preparation. A seed-bed for small seeds planted 

 in mid-summer must be able to retain moisture. 

 Nothing robs a soil of water more surely than a 

 breaking-plow. Its use is a necessity in farming, 

 but this effect of plowing must be borne in mind 

 when a seeding is planned for the driest period 

 of the year. It goes without saying that sods 

 should not be formed on land that is too solid 

 for admission of air. A thorough plowing is needed 

 by most soils prior to making a sod that will 

 prevent further stirring of the ground for a long 

 period of time. It is best when this plowing can 

 be given in the preceding spring. This enables 

 the ground to become firm enough to hold mois- 

 ture. If there is time for a tilled crop, the cultiva- 

 tion is helpful. When the land must be broken 

 in the summer, the plowing should be done several 

 weeks before the seeding to grass must be made. 

 The roller should follow the plow closely to de- 

 stroy the spaces that lie open to the hot air, 

 permitting the land to dry out. All deep harrow- 

 ings should be given soon after the plowing, stir- 

 ring and mixing the ground, and then leaving it 



[83] 



