72 MISC. PUBLICATION 4 3 4, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



GROUND PREPARATION AND SEED SOWING 

 Preparing the Soil 



A well-prepared seedbed is the nurseryman's first consideration in 

 planning his season's operations. Since nursery stock production is 

 an intensive form of crop culture, it is essential that the preparation of 

 the soil be given much closer attention than would ordinarily be neces- 

 sary in the production of most farm crops. Good tilth (the physical 

 condition of the soil) is highly important in nursery work, since the 

 soil must be in a finely pulverized condition to assure close contact 

 with the seed before germination, to facilitate emergence during germi- 

 nation, and to permit easy cultivation during the growing season. 

 Soil preparation technique in deciduous nurseries will vary accord- 

 ing to soil texture. Light soils require less preparation to put in prop- 

 er condition for sowing than the heavier soils, since they are less prone 

 to become hard and cloddy and their physical condition is more easily 

 regulated. 



The proper handling of previous crop residues and fall or early 

 winter plowing constitute a preliminary preparation. If the area has 

 previously been in nursery crop, no crop remnants will exist except 

 possibly discarded cull stock. Such material should be raked up and 

 burned, since, because of its woody nature, it will not disintegrate 

 rapidly, will interfere with all cultural operations, and may harbor 

 disease and insect pests. In the Southern States, termites in such 

 material may constitute a serious problem. 



If the nursery area has previously been in farm crops and a consider- 

 able quantity of coarse and heavy cornstalk, stubble, or other trash 

 remains on the ground, this material should be disked thoroughly or 

 otherwise cut before plowing. If the quantity of the material present 

 is excessive, it may be necessary to rake it up and remove or burn it. 



Fall or early winter plowing to a depth of 6 to 8 inches is preferred. 

 The operator should strive to achieve a narrow furrow slice standing 

 somewhat on edge, thus leaving the land rough. If fall sowing is not 

 practiced, fall-plowed areas should be left in rough condition over 

 winter. 



If plowing must be delayed until spring, plowing should not be done, 

 particularly in the heavier soils, when the soil is so wet that a rough, 

 cloddy seedbed will result. It is far better to delay plowing for a 

 week. Disking or harrowing should immediately follow spring plow- 

 ing before the surface soil has a chance to dry out. Ordinarily, best 

 results are obtained by attaching a section of drag to the plow. 



The advantages of fall or early winter plowing over spring plowing 

 may be summed up as follows: 



A maximum area of soil is exposed to the mellowing influence of 

 alternate freezing and thawing, thereby resulting in good tilth. 



The roughened condition aids in catching snow and will reduce 

 run-off which might result from late fall, winter, or early spring rains. 

 The moisture-catching capacity can be increased by listing after 

 plowing. An added advantage is that the roughened condition aids 

 in preventing the soil from blowing. 



