54 



Campbell's 1902 Soil Culture Manual. 



the several farms which we had general supervision of on the Northern 

 Pacific in '96-'97. Here, by carrying out practically the same conditions 

 that I have explained by referring to Cut No, 9, 82 bushels of corn to the 

 acre were raised, while the average corn field would not make over 6 to 10 

 bushels. Remember this is in North Dakota. Again, in Cut No. 11, we 

 show the remarkable contrast between the corn grown on the Pomeroy 

 Model Farm and that grown on adjoining fields under the ordinary meth- 

 ods of cultivation. 



TIME FOR INVESTIGATION. 



These illustrations, coupled with the facts referred to under the 

 heading of Evaporation, where 15 to even 20 bushels was added to the 

 yield of a field of corn, where only a small part of the work here referred to 

 was carried out, is certainly sufficient evidence to prompt many to make 

 even a small test to find out the correctness of these assertions. If they 

 are true, then it is folly for men to raise 5, 10, or 20 bushels, when by a 

 more careful and thorough plan of cultivation, 40, 50, or 75 bushels might 

 be raised. The Good Book says: "He that tilleth his soil shall be satisfied 

 with bread, but he that followeth vain ideas shall find poverty enough." I 

 think this passage is quite as applicable to the present existing condition 

 in this country as it was then in Egypt. 



Plenty of water in the soil makes plenty of corn. 



No after cultivation can make amends for a poor job of fitting the 

 soil for crop. 



The deeper you can get the water stored down in the ground before 

 planting time the surer are you to get a big crop. 



Cultivate your corn at least once after the last rain. If you don't 

 need the water for this crop you may the next. 



Don't get the shallow idea too strongly fixed. Two and a half to 

 three inches of fine loose soil is about the best condition. 



Watch the first approach of spring and as soon as you can get into 

 the field with your disc, go over your ground intended for corn. Nothing 

 can pay better. 



There is no work done, cost considered, that seems to go farther to- 

 ward increasing the yield of corn than that of early double discing. 

 This is also quite true with reference to all other crops. 



Never allow a crust to form under the mulch no more than you would 

 on the surface. It will get there if you don't watch closely during times of 

 extreme heat in long dry periods. Don't let weeds grow. Every weed 

 means less corn. 



Don't use the old long pointed four-shovel cultivator. To go deep 

 enough with this tool, to make good protection for moisture you are sure to 

 destroy many roots. The cultivator that leaves the stirred soil the finest 

 and loosest and yet level is best. 



