90 



Campbell's 1902 Soil Cultuke Manual. 



narrow crevice so the wheat will come in contact with as much of the very 

 moist soil as possible, and the object of the chain cover is to completely 

 fill this little trench and yet leave the soil loose on top. This is the plan 

 that we followed at the Pomeroy Model Farm the past two seasons, and 

 the quick uniform germination and rapid growth and liberal stooling was 

 simply wonderful. By careful observation we noticed this fact, that in 

 seven days time from the time the seed was dejjosited it would germinate 

 and grow six and a half inches in height from the kernel to the top of the 

 first blade. If the reader will glance at cut No. 6 and notice the two inch 

 mulch on top, the very fine firm condition of the soil underneath and think 

 for a moment how perfect the condition is for the rapid development of the 

 roots, both sides of where the kernel would lie, put in as we above stated, 

 you can readily see the great advantage it has over wheat lying in a loose 

 bed. While it is true that almost every drill has its peculiarities and 

 possibile advantages in certain kinds of soil. Under certain conditions, it is 

 quite an error for the farmer to conclude that he can materially increase 

 his crop each and every year by any special construction of drill, but 

 rather he should pin his faith to a proper and careful preparation of the 

 soil. 



We really do not believe the question of construction of the grain 

 drill has as yet reached the point of perfection. The coming drill will be 

 one of lighter draught and consequently wider cut, that will deposit the seed 

 in firm soil without leaving the soil firm at the surface, like a wheel track. 



RAPE AS A FORAGE PLANT FOR 

 THE SOUTHWEST. 



(By E. A. Burnett, Director, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station.) 



The rape plant has long been used as a pasture plant for sheep in 

 England and some other European countries. It came to the notice of 

 farmers and stockmen of the Central States some ten or fifteen years ago 

 and has constantly grown in favor where late summer and fall pasture is 

 important. At first it was thought that the rape plant could only be uti- 

 lized in the more humid regions, but each year it has extended its western 

 limit until at present it is a very important crop in the Red River Valle}' 

 and over the entire spring wheat region of the Northwest. There it is 

 grown mostly as a second crop after spring grain, but it is also grown to 

 some extent as the main crop on the land where early pasture is desired. 



