348 DRY FARMING 



of land to grass, and the growing of such big-rooted 

 plants as a number of the legumes are, will all assist in 

 solving this problem before it arises, and it might be said 

 in passing that this is the time to solve such a problem. 

 The reclaiming of all soil which has been allowed to reach 

 the drifting stage is a serious matter, and the said condi- 

 tion should be avoided by every serious-minded, thinking 

 farmer as he would avoid a plague. The following of the 

 practice which will lead to the avoidance of the difficulty 

 will also prove more profitable than those farming prac- 

 tices which lead to the soil-drifting condition. 



301. Plowing. — Grood plowing is one of the most, if 

 not the most important cultural operation on the farm. 

 If this work is well done the battle is half won. Deep 

 plowing is advisable in most cases, and in my judgment 

 should never be less than six inches. Deep plowing of 

 breaking is important, not only to permit of a good seed- 

 bed being worked after breaking without the necessity 

 of backsetting, which is not feasible in the Park Belt, 

 but is also necessary in areas where there is much wil- 

 low or other growth of tree roots to be turned down. The 

 breaking plow must cut under these roots. Where the 

 ground is very rich it is advisable to disc in the second 

 crop on the stubble allowing more time for roots to rot. 

 The deep plowing of stubble land provides a greater 

 reservoir for the storing of moisture, and a better oppor- 

 tunity for plants to develop roots. The importance of 

 taking pride in the various operations in connection with 

 farm work cannot be overstated. The doing of work well 

 is the only thing which will lift farm work from being a 

 mere job to an interesting home-building occupation. 



