130 



DRY FARMING 



bottom of the sod furrow. As soon as disking can con- 

 veniently be done without turning up unrotted sods, it 

 should not be delayed. On some soils it can be done very 

 soon after breaking, but on others this operation often 

 has to be left until the sod is at least partially decayed. 

 In practice it is usually found advisable to break while 



Fig. 49. — In Breaking the Furrow Slice Should be Turned over Flat. 



the soil is moist and the land can be easily and quickly 

 plowed, and to do the disking later when it is difficult 

 or impossible to plow. 



101. Cultivate Sufficiently during the Season to Prevent 

 the Growth of Native Plants. — If prairie land is broken 

 and the surface left uncultivated a considerable amount 

 of moisture is lost as a result of the drying effect of the 

 wind. At the same time if any of the native plants still 

 persist they not only establish themjselves in the soil but 

 they pump out very large quantities of water. The use 

 of the discs and harrows often enough to prevent the 



