CROPS AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT 



again, and fitted for seeding to wheat. The practice 

 favors the killing of weeds, and the soil at seeding 

 time may contain more water than would have 

 been the case if a crop had been produced, because 

 its mellow condition enables the farmer to hold 

 within it nearly all the moisture that a shower 

 may furnish after the second plowing. 



The Modern Fallow. --The modern method 

 of making a grass seeding in August partakes of 

 the nature of the old-fashioned summer-fallow. 

 The desire is to eradicate weeds, secure availability 

 in plant-food, and fit the soil to profit by even a 

 light rainfall. Thin soils lend themselves well to 

 this treatment, which is described in Chapter VIII, 

 and there is no better method for fertile land. 

 The benefit of the fallow is obtained without 

 serious loss of time. 



[236] 



