THE ROLE THAT TILLAGE PLAYS 93 



may gather their substances, that opens the lower depths 

 for less laborious descent, that enlarges the pasture 

 grounds for feeding roots, favors plant growth and in- 

 duces larger crops on the land so treated. 



Soils that are hard, compact and lifeless, through til- 

 lage, may be opened, mellowed and restored to life. Any 



PLOWED FOR THE FIRST TIME 

 The plow enlarges the pasture grounds for feeding-roots 



system of tillage that loosens and lightens such soils, im- 

 proves their texture. And poor texture means poor, un- 

 inviting, uncomfortable homes, in which few, if any, 

 plants can prosper. Good tillage offers much available 

 food, warm, comfortable homes, inviting living environ- 

 ments, and pleasant quarters in which tiny roots may 

 live. 



When soils, by nature, are loose and open, they may 

 be benefited by tillage tools that firm and compact the 

 surface soil. Thus, often the roller is desirable for just 

 this purpose: to press the particles together that the 

 interspaces may be lessened and the particles, themselves, 

 compacted thereby. This practice induces capillarity, 



