174 



SOILS 



While frequent stirring of the soil, during the growing 

 season, and, especially, in the time of drought, tends to 

 produce better crops than if this work is neglected, still, 

 it is a wiser practice to begin the work of moisture con- 



A GOOD MULCH 

 It is four inches deep and is doing its work 



serration before the drought-period sets in. Hence, you 

 must have much water admitted to the soil. You must 

 keep it and preserve it until it is in greatest demand. 



Keeping the surface crust broken and loose and mellow 

 is the first step ; it takes the water in. Conserving it, 

 after it is stored, is the second step ; it holds it for the 

 plants. 



Mulch-making : make it effective. In periods of abun- 

 dant rainfall, it matters little to you whether you stir your 



