TILLAGE THE FIRST YEAR 



103 



or a grain sack, to protect it from wind and sun. 

 Moisture is often insufficient, and, during pro- 

 longed drouth conditions may be improved by scat- 

 tering a few hundred pounds of salt per acre to col- 

 lect vapor from the atmosphere, thus adding five 

 or six per cent, to ground water. These and other 

 interesting problems will perplex him, but if he 

 loves to see trees grow the hours in his orchard 

 will be genuine recreation, and the while he will 

 be learning mysteries of Nature. 



It is a safe rule to keep work teams off fields at 

 all wet times until the earth crumbles when pressed 

 in the hands, and the injury to its physical condi- 

 tion by trampling is avoided. Wherever an animal 

 steps on wet clay an impervious lump is formed, 

 the depth of which is in proportion to its weight, 

 and stock, even swine, may undo the work of years 

 by so packing the ground that its fertility cannot 

 be restored except by several seasons of patient la- 

 bor. 



