1 40 Practical Orcharding On Rough Lands. 



the successful agriculturist must intensify his 

 work, whether he be a grower of corn or ap- 

 ples. Yes, we must deepen rather than broaden 

 our acres, get more from less land. 



Cultivate to Increase Moisture Holding 

 Capacity. — ^We should not only cultivate with 

 a view of deepening the soil, but we should 

 have in mind that important feature of culti- 

 vation to increase its moisture holding capacity 

 as well. In order to do this we must fine the 

 soil, for the finer the particles of soil the more 

 water it will hold. The more particles there 

 are the more moisture it will take to wrap 

 them. We should think of soil moisture as a 

 film surrounding eacH particle of soil, for after 

 all, no matter how deep and good a soil may 

 be, unless there is moisture present plants can- 

 not take their food, or as we say, they cannot 

 live. The arid regions are striking examples of 

 this, with their deep, loose soils, they are but 

 deserts until the water is applied. 



^*I heard a farmer talk one day, 



Telling his listeners how 

 In the wide, new country, far away, 



The rainfall follows the plow. 

 'As fast as they break it up, you see, 



And turn the heart to the sun, 

 As they open the furrows deep and free 



And the tillage is begun, 

 The earth grows mellow, and more and more 



It holds and sends to the sky 



