196 SOILS 



can minimize this harmful effect by using a smoothing 

 harrow, a few days after the roller. Fortunate is the 

 farmer who becomes a believer in the practice of making 

 the soil firm for all seeds and plants. 



Compacting the soil increases water content. The 

 market gardener has lead the way here. Just note how he 

 uses his feet to accomplish this very purpose : he knows 

 that it pays in fact, that it is clearly necessary to make 

 firm soil about the newly planted plants or seeds. This is 

 important in dry, hot weather in loose, poor soils. The 

 farm roller and gardener's feet both accomplish the same 

 work. Both compact the soil ; start the water in the soil 

 below on an upward course that brings it to the seeds and 

 roots that need it. 



When this has been accomplished, a smoothing harrow, 

 with its little teeth, should be run over the land so as to 

 break off the tops of the capillary tubes ; and thus make 

 a mulch of the top soil, and check the evaporation of the 

 soil water. 



The cultivating tools involved in the tillage of the soil 

 answer three purposes : they kill weeds ; they provide a 

 much-needed mulch, especially in dry climates, so as to 

 preserve moisture ; and they release plant food. The old 

 one-shovel plow is fast giving way to the shallow culti- 

 vator with several shovels. We no longer expect to use 

 intercultural tools for preparing the soil for root develop- 

 ment : we do that now at seeding time. 



