AKID AGRICULTURE. 



45 



DEEP 

 FI>OWIlTa 

 GIVES ROOT 

 FASTTTRE 



DEEP 



Fi^owine 



SAVES TSE 

 SOIK 



VTHERE DEEP 

 PJ^OWINQ 

 MAT NOT DO 



ihat are plowed deep come more rapidly into 

 good tilth. Fining the soil particles releases and 

 makes available plant food. It lets in warmth 

 and air and gives better chance for the activity 

 of chemical a'gents and bacteria. 



The larger part of soluble plant food becomes 

 available in the surface soil. Plant roots pass 

 thru it easily and here they send out their feed- 

 ers to make use of the foods ready for them. If 

 four inches of the surface soil i' kept stirred for 

 mulch the difference between plowing seven 

 inches deep and eight inches deep equals twenty- 

 five per cent, in the area of the surface soil upon 

 which the roots feed. 



Where the soils are light and winds drift 

 them, shallow plowing may result in all the top 

 soil, down to the sole of the furrow being blown 

 away. Deep plowing on the contrary, throws 

 up heavier and rougher furrows, and tends to 

 anchor the soil in place. Plowing deep, there- 

 fore, both prevents washing and drifting. 



Where soils are heavy, it often happens that 

 only an inch or two of the surface is in condition 

 for the growth of plants. Turning this siirface 

 soil under and covering it deeply with cold, un- 

 tamed and unproductive clay, may prevent rais- 

 ing a good crop for longer time than it is desira- 

 ble to wait. This seldom occurs in dry farming, 

 for the summer fallow will tend to put the soil 



