PROPER TILLAGE. O^ 



ence there is in the vital germ lying on the surface where 

 roots and leaves, immediately, numerously and powerfully 

 shoot forth from one point, and the weakened vital germ, ly- 

 ing at the depth of 1.680 inches, shoots forth few roots, but a 

 thin tube, which rises as far as the surface, where a knot is 

 formed whence the weakened germ pushes forth a single and 

 sickly plant." 



Some seeds require to be covered only by a bush-harrow. 

 The seeds of grain-crops, and of some garden vegetables may 

 be covered in this way, but hoed crops require a greater depth. 

 The requisite depth depends also on other circumstances — 

 the character of the soil, and its state of moisture or dryness. 

 Hence farmers should adapt their mode of tillage to these cir- 

 cumstances, if they would derive the highest benefit from this 

 part of culture. 



(5) Finally. The soil should be kept free of weeds. The 

 reason for this is, that the weeds exhaust the soil as much as, 

 if not more than the crop, and especially in the dry season, ab- 

 stract from the soil the moisture required for the grain. In this 

 latter respect, weeds with large leaves and stems, will take up 

 through their roots and transpire through their leaves, their 

 weight of moisture in twenty-four hours. The vital functions 

 of the crop are thus enfeebled or destroyed, while the ruthless 

 weeds fatten upon the provisions which were designed for the 

 rightful inhabitants of the soil. There is no doubt but that 

 many a crop has been diminished one quarter, one third and 

 even one half by the weeds which have been allowed to seed 

 and spread themselves on the land. 



The conditions of the growth of plants as presented in this 

 section are very general, they will be more fully expanded 

 in succeeding parts of the work. 



These general conditions of life, however, should be im- 

 pressed upon the mind of every farmer, if he would aid the 

 vital power in the growth of his crops. He must supply his 

 plants with the proper medium and support ; with soil fitted 



6* 



