LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE 345 



294. The Preparation of Stubble Land for the Crop 

 Following. — If time permits, stubble land should be 

 plowed six inches deep in the fall and plowing oper- 

 ations should be followed immediately by the use of a 

 soil packer, or if this implement is not available, by the 

 drag harrow or disc. Such practice closes the air space 

 in the land, and prevents the loss of moisture through 

 the circulation of air. The use of a packer immediately 

 following the plow also permits of fall germination of 

 weed seeds by firming the soil near the freshly turned 

 surface, thus permitting the movement of moisture to 

 these seeds. Packing promptly after the plow is an 

 effective cultivation in preparing the land for work the 

 next spring, as it levels as well as firms the soil. Such 

 land, well plowed and double-disked after the packer, 

 is in good condition for the grain drill in the black loam 

 soil of this section of the West. 



295. Preparation of Grass Land for the Crop Fol- 

 lowing. — As indicated in the previous paragraph the 

 plowing of grass land in July or early August is ad- 

 vised. The depth should be six inches and the plow 

 should be followed by the packer or by the disc harrow 

 operated in the same direction as the plow. As soon as 

 convenient after the packer the land should be given a 

 double disking, after which it may remain for some time 

 without further cultivation. It is advisable, however, to 

 give such land the necessary work in the fall so that it 

 will not require much more than drag harrowing, or a 

 double disking and drag harrowing at most, the follow- 

 ing spring, in order to insure a good seed-bed. 



296. Organic Matter, Legumes and Soil. — The import- 

 ance of organic matter in the soil is shown by the wonder- 

 ful crops which it is possible to grow when the virgin 



