The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1883-04-05
Prenaring for the Seed.

Having determined what crops are to
be grown and Just where the seeds of
each are to be planted, the first thing
that claims attention in spring is the
preparation Of the soil for their recep-
lion.
Is the land properly drained is the
first consideration that presents itself,
for, if the season turns out wet one,
undrained fields viii prove Unproduc-
tive as matter of course; if dry, drain
age does no harm, and if under-drained
with tile or other blind ditch, air.
moisture and warmth are supplied to
the roots of growing plants, and they
are enabled to draw from earth store
house the precise elements each needs
from that source, and the plants become
vigorous enough 10 appropriate from
the atmosphere such other food As may
be needed TO perfect them. First then,
attend to drainage.
just when to begin the breaking up
OF the soil and preparing the seed-bcd
must vary with the season as we'll as
with the natural position and contour
of the field. In general, other things
being right, most lands are bettered by
having received n blowing in the fall.
The reasons are apparent and have been
stated so often as to hardly need repe-
tition, especially as it is now too late to
remedy the matter if it was neglected
before winter set in. Work upon we'll
drained land may be begun some days
Earlier than upon undranCd. In either
ease rarely is anything gained by work
ing in the mud, or before spring has
"cOmc 20 stay" as the expression goes.
The pillow is the first implement Of
course, that the generality of farmers
put into the ground, though il is re-
GREETED by many that a more successful
implement has not been invented to
take its place. Flowing at the same
depth year after year, is a thing to be
avoided in the preparation Of the seed
bed. 1T is not always best TO try TO get
little deeper than the year before
Sometimes a shallow furrow is prefer
able NOT an soils require deep plow-
ing; neither do all crops. A fertile sur
face OF few inches, except for root
crops, is for the most part, what must
be aimed at a, thorough disintegra-
ton is 10 be sought for rather than
simple inversion. hence thorough stir
ring and mixing are to be looked after.
if the ground is lumpy the roller should
follow the ploNv. This NAV compact
the soil too much and the cultivator may
be called into requisition to loosen and
sun turthcr NIX. loo much narrowing
Is to be avoided, as over use of the haI-
row makes too compact and imper-
vious a sccd-bed, as any one may easily
lest
Whether manure is best plowed under
on suTface-spread, is a matter about
which authorities differ, and it seems
likely they always will 1t is necessary
only TO remember that soil must be
naturally fertile or artiticially made so,
and that the seed-bcd must be SO pre-
pared that plants may take advantage
of its properties.
To sum all up: Drain well; pillow in
spring when well warmed up; break the
clods; pulverize thoroughly to proper
depth to meet the full requirements of
the plant roots; put in the seeds soon
after preparation, so that the plants
may have "a fair chance with the weeds
that viii always spring up. All crops
arc lesseucd by an improper seed-bed
even on the most fertile soils and in the
best of seasons. No after labor in Gull
tivation can make up for a poor start.
II is with vegetable as with animal life
IA well-bred soil, so to speak, is a
prime requisite and the plants must be
kept vigorous from the first. Prairie
Farmer.