CROPS AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT 



can supplement the plant-food left in the ma- 

 nure. 



When to plow Down. Excellent farmers differ 

 regarding the relative efficiencies of manure plowed 

 down and that mixed with the top soil. Both 

 classes may be right for their individual instances. 

 The plowing down of manure helps to deepen the 

 soil, and that always is desirable. It causes 

 plants to root deeply, and that is a distinct benefit 

 in a drouthy season, and always desirable. When 

 a soil is in such tilth that the breaking-plow always 

 brings fertile soil to the surface, the plowing down 

 of manure gives excellent results, though it should 

 be permitted to leach at the surface for a few weeks 

 before being turned under. When land is being 

 prepared for a seeding to grass or clover, the supply 

 of manure should not be plowed down wherever 

 the breaking-plow brings soil to the surface that 

 is deficient in humus. In the latter case the ma- 

 nure always should be used as a top-dressing, and 

 should be evenly spread and well mixed with the 

 surface soil. It is needed there far more than it 

 can be needed farther down. The surface soil al- 

 ways should have a high content of organic matter. 



Heavy Applications. When the farm supply 

 of manure is small, applications should be light. 



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