- 



CHAPTER V. 



SOIL OPERATIONS 



Tillage. The main objects of tillage, whether in the form of 

 digging, ploughing, or otherwise are : to loosen the soil so as to 

 facilitate the absorption of rain and the admission of fresh air, and 

 to enable the roots of plants to penetrate the soil more easily. 

 Further, tillage should aim at maintaining a proper supply of 

 moisture in the soil, rendering the latter permeable to rain, encour- 

 aging the activity of soil bacteria, and generally suppressing the 

 growth of weeds. Therefore, thorough tillage is often as essential 

 as manuring, especially for root-crops. Plants can only obtain the 

 full benefit of manures when the land is maintained in a proper 

 state of trlth. DEHERAIX conducted experiments which showed 

 that "trituration or pounding of the soil is a powerful method of 

 causing active nitrification." According to an old adage, 



"Tillage hinders 'vaporation 



Tillage works weed Yadication. 



Tillage helps food 'laboration." 



A SIXHAI.KSK PLOUGH. 



