32 GARDEN FARMING 



which are planted very shallow, it is necessary to have the harrow 

 which produces the soil mulch work to a depth of not more than 

 2 inches, so as to leave the soil compact except for the last 2 inches 

 on the surface. This will be found sufficient to bring the moisture 

 up to within 2 inches of the surface of the ground and will provide 

 a suitable seed bed for the more delicate seeds which are to be 

 planted in it. The chief end to be attained in the preparation of 

 the soil is a very fine seed bed, underlain by a thoroughly culti- 

 vated yet compact stratum at least 8 or 10 inches deep. 



FIG. 7. McColm pulverizer and clod crusher 



Water-holding capacity of the soil. The water-holding capacity 

 of the soil is increased by this method of tillage. It enables the 

 soil not only to take up more moisture during a rain but also to re- 

 tain the moisture longer after a rain. The important point is that 

 the loose mulch of soil over the surface of the cultivated area acts 

 as a cover to prevent direct and rapid evaporation. The opening 

 and loosening of the soil by deep cultivation increases its power to 

 absorb moisture quickly. 



The water-holding capacity of the soil is also increased by the 

 fineness of the soil. While it seems a rather contradictory state- 

 ment to say that the finer the soil the more water it can hold, yet 

 this is true, because each particle of soil is enveloped by a very thin 



