Sun-Baked After a Heavy Rain. An Excellent Condition to Lose Moisture. Should 

 Be Thoroughly Disced Before Being Plowed 



least resistance, especially during the tender age, and at a time the plant 

 requires the most assistance. If the seed-bed is shallow, the feeding 

 area is restricted in both food and moisture. Such a seed-bed usually 

 has a hard-pan preventing, not only the penetration of tender roots, but 

 stops the downward passage of water and encourages the washing away 

 of surface soils and fertility during heavy showers. A roomy seed-bed 

 serves as a reservoir to catch and retain water until it percolates into the 

 deeper subsoil. Hence, for many reasons the seed-bed should be deep, 

 a condition which can be accomplished by plowing and tilling deep. 



Caution 



The process of deepening the seed-bed should be gradual, for the 



reason that subsoils or soils not rich in humus are not productive, but 



can be made rich by adding manure with each plowing or by turning 



under a green crop of some kind, preferably clover, cow-pea vines or soy 



beans. . ^ 



Atmospheric Oxygen 



This gas is as necessary to plant roots as it is to man or animals, and if 

 it does not exist in the soil, the plant will perish. Soil particles have 

 irregular surfaces, preventing a close contact. This condition is not 

 accidental, but a wise provision for the express purpose of permitting 

 the circulation of air and the passage of water and minute hair-like 

 roots. The spaces, also, permit the escape of noxious gases, the result 

 of plant root excretions and organic decomposition. If from any cause 

 the air spaces become clogged, the phenomena of plant life is stopped. 

 If the soil becomes surcharged with water to such an extent that the 

 seed-bed is saturated with water, the air spaces are filled and the air is 

 driven out. 



Tile drainage or ditches will remedy the condition. If the excessive 

 amount of water in the surface layer of soil is due to a hard-pan, which 



