Campbell's 1902 Soil Culture Manual. 



7 



We have endeavored to show that by storage and conservation of the 

 rain waters in this way, so as to save them for plant nourishment and 

 growth in the summer period, like results and yields may be obtained on 

 large fields, as have been observed on small patches of ground that hap- 

 pened to be covered by snow drifts. It follows, then, that the greater 

 amount of water we can store in the soil previous to the planting of the 

 crops, as well as during their growth, and the greater care we use in the 

 cultivation of the surface of the ground, so as to retain and economize the 

 moisture so conserved, the greater must be the yield at harvest time. 



In connection with this fact there is another of no less importance, 

 viz: the soil should be prepared as perfectly as possible to insure a prolific 

 growth of roots. It is not uncommon that a single hour's extreme condition 

 of the soil, as respects rapid evaporation, will reduce the crop one-half. 

 If we can store and conserve in the soil a sufficient quantity of the natural 

 rain waters and make them available during the growing season, and have 

 coupled with the moisture a sufficient growth of roots to sustain and 

 nourish the plants, a good crop is sure to be realized. 



We are well aware it is difficult to explain what is the exactly proper 

 physical condition of the soil for the best results in growing crops. It is 

 important to learn how to apply the most economical mechanical work to 

 secure such results. There are many little things and minor points to be 

 done and observed that have a- direct influence and effect in securing this 

 condition, and many more that bear on the question as to how to maintain 

 this good condition of the soil during the growing season, that have not 

 been considered in the past, but which are vital and necessary to the best 

 possible crop yields. 



With these considerations fully in mind, we have tried, in the fol- 

 lowing pages, to be clear in our statements and illustrations respecting all 

 these little points and duties we owe to the cultivation of the soil, and to 

 make plain to the reader an explanation of our past work and the results 

 of our years of experience and experiments in the semi-arid west, a sec- 

 tion which at a time, not far distant, we believe will be made by our sys- 

 tem of soil culture, to yield an abundance, and will be the abode of mil- 

 lions of new settlers who will found homes there that shall be blessed with 

 peace and plenty. 



