TILLAGE, PLANTING, AND CULTIVATION 



377 



Thus different soils will require different treatment to CHAP. 



secure the best results. The difference in returns from ap- 

 plying uniform treatment to different soils can be deduced 

 from the experiments conducted in Natal by Mr. Pearson, 

 then Director of Agricultural Experiments at Cedara, as 

 shown in the following table : — 



IX. 



Table LI. 

 EFFECT OF TREATMENT OF SOIL ON YIELD. 



The returns from the same treatment were practically 

 reversed on the two soils. It is clear, therefore, that there 

 are some soils in South Africa so light and sandy that they 

 will not bear much cultivation ; in fact, as Mr. Pearson states, 

 the less such soils are disturbed beyond the ordinary plough- 

 ing, the better the results. In some cases in the Transvaal — 

 such as certain lands along the Vaal River — the soil blows 

 away if too much cultivation is practised. But such soils 

 are exceptional ; often they do not bear good crops for more 

 than about three seasons. 



342. Preparation after Ploughing. — Maize requires a deep, 

 loose seed bed, though the soil need not be as fine as for 

 wheat. To produce this, it is essential, in the climate of South 

 Africa, that particular attention be paid to the after prepara- 

 tion of the seed bed. This will vary with different soils and 

 in different districts ; we can only speak here in general terms. 



A well-known agriculturist has said that very much de- 

 pends upon performing each tillage operation when the soil 

 is in exactly the right condition ; two hours of sunshine will 

 often make the difference between success and failure in the 

 operation of a tillage implement ; compare the old couplet : — 



He that by the plough would thrive 

 Himself must either hold or drive. 



