Old System of Intertillage 163 



ence, it is not unreasonable to expect that where there 

 is a deficiency of water in the soil, the small grains 

 may be sown in narrow strips of 4 to 6 drill rows, 

 9 inches apart, separated by naked strips 30 inches 

 wide, which may be cultivated to yield up their mois- 

 ture and developed nitrates to the growing grain on 

 either side, and thus mature heavier crops of well- 

 filled grain than would be possible if the seeds were 

 scattered evenly over the whole surface, none of which 

 could be cultivated. 



Such a practice as is here suggested is manifestly 

 summer fallowing, but in a very different way, and 

 for quite a distinct purpose, from that usually had in 

 mind. Of course, it would not be urged, except on 

 soil and in climates in which there is an insufficient sup- 

 ply of soil moisture to mature the crop under ordinary 

 methods of handling. The method, however, has a 

 rational basis for sub -humid climates and for the 

 lighter soils of small water capacity in the more humid 

 climates; but it cannot be hoped that it will, under 

 these conditions, give as large yields per acre when 

 figured upon the whole area as the closer planting on 

 the soils better supplied with soil moisture. Neither 

 can it be expected that crops can be raised as cheaply 

 by this method as by the ordinary methods. All that 

 can be asserted, or can be reasonably expected, is that 

 better crops can be raised by it in sub -humid climates 

 and on the lighter soils in humid climates, than can 

 be raised by the ordinary methods. It is not an easy 

 matter to adapt the method either to growing hay or 

 to maintaining pastures of the ordinary sort, 



