298 



LEGUMES AND FERTILIZERS 



Open or general tillage consists chiefly of plowing and harrowing 

 the soil before the crops are planted. In gardens this may be done 

 in either fall or spring, or both. 



Deep plowing is necessary for root crops such as potatoes, beets, 

 etc. The deep feeding crops such as trees and corn, also need the 

 soil stirred to a great depth. Dynamiting (Fig. 207) will loosen 

 the hard subsoil. This is often done before trees are planted. 



Fall plowing is most beneficial for heavy soils. The winter 



Fig. 207. — Blasting orchard tree holes is often very beneficial The growth of young trees 

 may be greatly increased. (New Jersey Station.) 



freezing of the turned soil will pulverize and aerate it. This 

 renders it more friable and makes it better for gardening. 



Spring plowing is necessary when a winter cover crop is grown 

 and is to be turned under as green manure before the garden is 

 planted. 



Often it is a good plan to replow in the spring. If the fall plowing 

 turned under sod land, this may be broken deeper in the spring. 

 Plow cross-wise of the fall plowing unless the slope of the land 

 prevents this. 



