CHAPTER XX 



DRY-FARMING IN A NUTSHELL 



Locate the diy-farm in a section with an annual 

 precipitation of more than ten inches and, if possible, 

 with small wind movement. One man with four 

 horses and plenty of machinery cannot handle more 

 than from 160 to 200 acres. Farm fewer acres and 

 farm them better. 



Select a clay loam soil. Other soils may be equally 

 productive, but are cultivated properly with some- 

 what more difficulty. 



Make sure, with the help of the soil auger, that 

 the soil is of uniform structure to a depth of at least 

 eight feet. If streaks of loose gravel or layers of 

 hardpan are near the surface, water may be lost to 

 the plant roots. 



After the land has been cleared and broken let it 

 lie fallow with clean cultivation, for one year. The 

 increase in the first and later crops will pay for the 

 waiting. 



Always plow the land early in the fall, unless abun- 

 dant experience shows that fall plowing is an unwise 

 practice in the locality. Always plow deeply unless 

 the subsoil is infertile, in which case plow a little 



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