39 THE 



**" SOIL 



like treasure in all our fields." And in e very- 

 garden and field lies hidden the same treasure 

 that can be revealed only by the expenditure 

 of intelligent labor. 



Tillage is an art in itself, and very important 

 to success. There are two kinds — thetUlageof 

 preparation and the tillage of maintenance. 

 They are widely different in their piirpose and 

 effect. The average farmer thinks that both 

 may be carried on at the same time, and this 

 belief may be in part the cause of his failures. 



The tillage of preparation includes not merely 

 the breaking up of the soil by the plow, but 

 pulverizing it for as great a depth as the roots 

 of the plants will reach. How deep that may 

 be, depends upon the character of the soil and 

 of the crops. For example, a hard soil with a 

 subsoil near the surface, must be plowed deep; 

 so that the root crops, which run deep, may 

 find sustenance. On the other hand, sandy 

 soil, or one which leaches away, can stand only 

 shallow plowing, as we must hold the subsoil 

 firm to prevent leaching. So that, even in the 

 tillage of preparation it comes back to the same 

 point, to learn the needs of your particular soil 

 and supply them. 



The tillage of maintenance should be given as 

 often as once a week or ten days, and is merely 



