128 DRY LAND FARMING 



such land to the proper depth calls for the use of much 

 power, which means that it is relatively expensive. (2) 

 Land thus plowed does not hold the snow as stubble land 

 does, hence the moisture that melted snow brings to 

 stubble land when not too much frost-locked does not 

 come to plowed land to the same extent. On the other 

 hand, should the precipitation come in the form of rain 

 with but little frost in the soil, it will penetrate the 

 plowed soil much more readily than unplowed soil. (3) 

 Should stubble land be cloddy when it is plowed in the 

 autumn, and but little precipitation fall during the 

 winter, the lower section of the seed bed would be in a 

 very poor condition for promoting growth because of its 

 lack of density. 



From what has been said it will be apparent that 

 the balance of argument favors summer and autumn 

 plowing. The practise of the best farmers recognizes this 

 fact, and it is coming to be more and more recognized 

 as time goes on. The plowing of wet soils has not 

 been discussed, and for the reason chiefly that in the 

 arid and semi-arid areas the soil is seldom too wet to 

 plow. This does not apply to all soils, as those affected 

 by seepage water, or to soils known as "adobe" or "gum- 

 bo." The former should be drained before they are tilled. 

 The latter must not be plowed when unduly wet, or it 

 will be impossible to pulverize them subsequently. On 

 the other land, if left until unduly dry it is virtually im- 

 possible to overtake the work. 



The depth to plow. Testimony is practically a unit 

 that lands should be plowed deeply in dry areas. The ar- 

 guments in favor of deep plowing include the following : 

 (1) It increases the storage capacity of the soil to receive 

 water that falls upon it and in proportion to the depth 

 of the plowing. Should a soil be broken to the depth of 

 only 3 inches and should a heavy rain fall on the same, 

 the soil would only absorb the rain quickly to the depth 



