CONTENTS 



Chapter & BARNYARD, SIABLE AND GREEN MANURES 94 



Manure an important farm asset — As a source of plant food — Physical effect of 

 manures — Biological effect of manure — The value of manure — Horse manure — 

 Cattle manure — Hog manure — Sheep manure — Poultry manure — Miscellaneous 

 farm manures — Value of manure influenced by quality of feed — Amount and char- 

 acter of bedding affects value of manure — Methods of storing and handling — Losses 

 of manure — Experimental results — How to prevent loss — Absorbents vs. cisterns — 

 Sterilization — Reinforcing of manures — Economical use of manure — To what crops 

 should manure be applied — To what soils should manure be applied — Climate 

 affects decomposition — Eroded soils most in need of manure — Rate of application — 

 Methods of applying manure — Top dressing vs. plowing under — The parking 

 system — Distribution of benefits. 



Green Manures. 

 When is green manuring advisable — Objections to green manuring — Principal 

 green-manuring crops. 



Chapter 6. LIME AND OTHER SOIL AMENDMENTS 115 



Soils need lime — Lime content of soils — How soils lose lime — Lime requirements of 

 soils — Crops require lime — Tolerance to acidity — Lime as affecting growth of plants 

 — Sources of lime — Forms of lime. 



Functions of Lime. 

 Lime as plant food — Chemical action of lime — Physical effect of lime — Lime affects 

 soil bacteria — Lime corrects soil acidity — Sanitary effect of lime— Injurious effect of 

 lime — Rate of application — Time of applying — Frequency of application- — Methods 

 of applying — Relative values of different forms of lime — Mixing with manure and 

 fertilizers — Experimental results — Spreading lime — Slaking lime — Crushing vs. 

 burning lime. 



Chapter 7. SOIL WATER, ITS FUNCTIONS AND CONTROL 130 



Amount and distribution of rain — Amount of water necessary to produce crops — 

 Transpiration by plants — Forms of soil water — Capillary water — Gravitational 

 water — Hygroscopic water — Water affects temperature of soil — Water storage 

 capacity of soils — Moisture conservation — Removing excess of water. 



Land Drainage. 

 Drainage increases warmth and fertility of soil — Improves health conditions — Open 

 vs. underground drains — Quality of tile — Cost of tile and excavating — Depth and 

 frequency of drains — Grades, silt basins and junctions — -The outlet — Size of tile . 



Chapter 8. GENERAL METHODS OF SOIL MANAGEMENT 142 



Objects of tillage — Plowing — Time of plowing — Depth of plowing — Subsoiling — 

 Disking — Harrowing — Planking or dragging — Rolling — Character of seed-bed — 

 Cultivation and hoeing — Control of weeds — Soil mulches — Soil erosion — Soil 

 injury — Time and intensity of tillage are economic factors. 



BOOK II. FARM CROPS 



Chapter 9. CROP IMPROVEMENT 157 



Plant selection — Kinds of variation — Hybridization — Choice of varieties. 



Corn. 

 The ear-row method — Ideals in selection of corn. 



Wheat, Oats and Barley. 

 First year — Second year — Third year — Fourth year — Fifth and succeeding years 

 — Crossing of varieties in small grain breeding. 



Potatoes. 



Production of seedlings — Hill and tuber selection — Opportunities in crop improve- 

 ment. 



