160 DRY-FARMING 



over thoroughly several times if necessary, with an 

 iron tooth harrow, the teeth of which are set to slant 

 backward in order not to tear up the plants. The 

 loose earth mulch thus formed is very effective in 

 conserving moisture ; and tlie few jjlants torn up are 

 more than paid for jjy the increased water supply for 

 the remaining plants. The wise dry-farmer culti- 

 vates his land, whether fallow or cropped, as early 

 as possible in the spring. 



Following the first spring j)lowing, disking, or culti- 

 vation, must come more cultivation. Soon after the 

 spring ])lowing, the land should be disked and then 

 hai'rowed. Every device should be used to secure 

 the f(jrmation of a layer of loose drjing soil over the 

 land surface. The season's crop will depend largely 

 upon the effectiveness of this spring treatment. 



As the season advances, three causes combine to 

 permit the evaporation of soil-moisture. 



First, there is a natural tendency, under the some- 

 what moist conditions of spring, for the soil to settle 

 compactly and thus to restore the numerous capillary 

 connections with the lower soil layers through which 

 water escapes. Careful watch should therefore be 

 kejDt upon the soil surface, and whenever the mulch 

 is not loose, the disk or harrow should be run over 

 the land. 



Secondly, every rain of s]iring or summer tends to 

 establish connections with the store (if moisture in 

 the soil. In fact, late s])ring and summer rains are 



