130 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



whether or not the plants will make a successful growth 

 before winter. The handling of the soil in such a way 

 as to retain moisture and to permit its rise from the sub- 

 soil by capillarity is of even more importance in preparing 



Fig. 42, — Cross section of a poorly and of a well prepared seed bed. 



the land for fall wheat than for corn. Corn is planted in 

 the spring when showers are frequent, and usually rain falls 

 in sufficient quantity within a few clays of the planting to 

 supply the needed water for early germination, while at 

 wheat-planting time rain falls rather infrequently in many 

 sections, and unless the soil is prepared so as to permit the 



