CHAPTER VI 



Preparing lift fbtthbeb 



^■THE conditions of germination are vitality, mois- 

 lll ture, heat and oxygen. A judicious handling 

 \r of the soil in order to supply these conditions 

 is necessary for the best germination of the 

 seed. The yield of the crop depends upon the ger- 

 mination of the seed. By supplying these conditions 

 to vital seed, a complete germination resulting 

 in a perfect stand, will be secured. Further, this 

 vigorous start in the life of the plant, if unchecked 

 by unfavorable circumstances of plant growth, will 

 allow the full and complete development of the plant. 

 Unfavorable conditions, that is, the supplying of the 

 conditions of germination in part, always result in 

 slow growth and a stunted plant. 



The kind of preparation for the seedbed will de- 

 pend upon the nature of the soil. With a clear under- 

 standing of the conditions to be secured and the effect 

 of different treatments upon the soil, the kind of prep- 

 aration is simply a matter of judgment. Under this 

 division of the subject there are a number of particular 

 questions of general importance which will be taken up 

 in their respective order. 



Depth of Plowing — The depth to plow varies with 

 the nature of the soil, the season of the year and with 

 the character of previous crop. In general, a coarse, 

 loose, sandy soil should be plowed shallow and a finely 

 divided, heavy clay soil deep. The loose soil needs 

 packing in order to furnish the conditions of germina- 

 tion, while the heavy soil must be opened up to the 

 action of the atmosphere and sun. 



