drop it on the ground, and if it 
crumbles freely it is in good condi- 
tion for tilling, but if it remains in 
lumps it is too wet. If soil is dis- 
turbed when wet it hardens intc 
clods which give up their plant food 
very reluctantly. It requires years of 
careful handling to overcome the ill 
effects of wrong handling. Better 
lose a few day’s time than to des- 
Hy the productive texture of the 
soil, 
Retaining Moisture 
Where retention of moisture is “| 
important, frequent shallow tilling © 
is advisable, to break up the capil- 
lary pores and prevent evaporation. | 
But deep cultivation defeats its own | 
purpose, as it turns moist soil up | 
to the air and moisture is lost. Going | 
over the soil frequently will not pack | 
the under layers unless it is too wet, 
as you cannot pack dry soil. So long 
as there is plenty of moisture in the | 
soil cultivation should be used only | 
to keep down weeds. Where it is | 
necessary to pull weeds by hand, this | 
may be done hea soil is too wet | 
9 f 
