24 FARM CROPS 



many months; in the semi-arid regions, where the 

 supply is generally limited— a deeper mulch and a 

 more effective mulch is to be preferred. _ Four 

 inches, perhaps, is too much and i inch is too 

 little. A better depth is from 2 to 3 inches ; better 

 for weed destruction and good enough for mulch 

 making. 



Level Culture Most Important. — You will find 

 farmers who still ridge their crops; they hill the 

 crop that it may not be blown over by winds, nor 

 pulled down by storms and rain. But have you 

 ever noticed that nearby crops, although given level 

 culture, are no more troubled by storms and wind 

 than the hilled and ridged crops? Often not so 

 much, is the true situation. 



Hilling and ridging the crop is advisable for just 

 one reason: to drain the land. With proper drain- 

 age and seed bed preparation, there is no occasion 

 for either of these expensive practices. 



Level culture, since it exposes a smaller area to 

 sun and wind than ridge culture, actually protects, 

 with greater efficiency, the water stored in the soil. 

 Bedding the land is often advisable with some soils 

 (although it increases the cost of planting), for the 

 reason that it secures a 'small amount of drainage 

 and a greater warmth to the soil. 



When to Cultivate. — You must be in sympathy 

 with the spirit of cultivation if you would get the 

 best results. You must do it at the time when the 

 soil is in the best condition to profit by the work. 

 Just after a rain, the word goes out. But use your 

 judgment here, else you may cultivate too early 

 after the rain and " puddle " your land. When the 

 next rain comes, the crust caused by the cultivation 

 may be so hard and stiff the rain may slip away 



