TABLE OF CONTENTS xv 



Page 



2. THE LEADING FUNCTIONS OF WATER IN THE SOIL 106 



(a) To improve its physical condition. 



(b) To act upon it chemically. 



(c) To regulate the temperature. 



(d) To carry food to plants. 



3. REDUCING THE Loss OF WATER IN DRY AREAS 107 



(a) By storing it deeply in the soil. 



(b) By surface cultivation. 



(c) By keeping down weed growth. 



(d) By shading as when mulching. 



4. THE SEASONAL USE OF MOISTURE 110 



(a) Adaptation in plants to winter rainfall. 



(b) Adaptation in plants to spring rainfall. 



(c) Adaptation in plants to variable rainfall. 



(d) Adaptation in plants to the season of dependable 

 moisture. 



5. ROOT DEVELOPMENT IN DRY AREAS 112 



(a) The functions of roots in plants. 



(b) Why active root growth should be sought. 



(c) Why deep root growth should be sought. 



(d) Why strong root growth should be sought. 



6. THE SUPERIOR QUALITY OF DRY FARM CROPS 114 



(a) They are richer in dry matter than other crops. 



(b) They are possessed of essentially more nutrition. 



(c) The proportion of the grain to the straw is high. 



(d) They are usually higher in palatability. 



7. WEED GROWTH IN DRY AREAS 115 



(a) How weeds are introduced. 



(b) How weeds are distributed. 



(c) Why the seeds live long in the soil. 



(d) Why farms should be clean in dry areas. 



8. THE TENDENCY IN GRAIN PLANTS TO VOLUNTEER 117 



(a) The seasons for such volunteering. 

 (b) The evils that flow from volunteering. 



(c) How volunteering may be lessened. 



(d) How volunteering may be remedied. 



CHAPTER VII 

 PLOWING IN DRY AREAS 



1. THE OBJECT SOUGHT IN PLOWING 121 



(a) To break up the land to admit moisture and air. 



(b) To make a seed bed for the crop. 



(c) To aid in cleaning the land. 



2. THE TIME FOR PLOWING 125 



(a) Plowing in the spring. 



(b) Plowing in the summer. 



(c) Plowing in the autumn. 



