THE CULTIVATION OF CROPS 2O5 



by cultivation and mulches throughout the season. But 

 failures in supplying water, although effective culture 

 mulch making is given during the growing season, are 

 certain to happen if no water is in the soil to be conserved. 

 If you would have water for plants for the time when 

 they shall need it, if you would have soil water for them 

 for later use, make no mistake about first getting it in 

 the soil, and the rest of the work will be easy. 

 Just bear in mind these suggestions : 



1. Getting ready for crops opening soils and catching 

 water is of more importance than after cultivation. 



2. Get water deep into the soil and you will have bigger 

 stores of supply. 



3. Cultivate after every rain, not when the soil is real 

 wet, but before it becomes very dry. 



4. Make your mulch deep enough three inches is none 

 too deep in dry regions. 



5. Open the soil early in the spring with a disk if you 

 have not fall-plowed or winter-tilled. 



6. Stir unused summer lands frequently so as to let 

 water in and to keep it in for the next crop. 



7. Lands frozen up for long periods like in the New 

 England territory are as needful of water-saving as 

 those of the semi-arid or dry farming districts. 



