Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-15
FlRMlMo THE SOIL.

FlRMlN0 THE SOIL
Csaditlens Uader which Ie Can h Deos
to Advantage.
It Is q recognized fact that in order
to secure good termination Of seed Of
almost any kind, . certain degree Of
moisture and heat are necessary, as
well as contact with the soil Tie
depth that we can plant the seeds so
a. to secure the conditions best adapt
ed to the termination of each kind, the
better will be the results
When the soil il wet and cold the
seed should be planted reasonably near
the surface. If the soil is dry and
warm deeper covering viii prove the
most satisfactory.
Under some conditions firming the
soil will not only prove beneficial, but
become almost necessity, if good
termination is secured; at another
time, or, rather. under different condi-
tons, firming the soil would be one Of
the worst things we could do. That
is, indiscriminate firming will not al
ways answer. Considerable depends
upon the soil. With light loose.
loamy soil there is much less danger
Of firming too much than in a heavy.
stiff soil As q general rule, frming
early in the season, when there is a full
supply of moisture in the soil and be.
fore it has become thoroughly warmed
up. in . stiff, heavy SOIL is not de-
sirable.
On the other hand. with = light
loan, firming can be done at almost
any time. with very little risk or
injury. While later on, after the
soil becomes warm and dries. in a
loamy soil, considerable benefit can be
derived by firmlng, and with the later
crops firming can be done with benefit
to almost any soil. unless the season is
unusually wet and cold.
After the seeds arc planted firm.
ing presses the soil down upon the
seed as well as presses the seed into the
soil. giving. or rather. placing them in
close contact with the soil. and when
the soil is dry this often aids mater
tally in securing good termination.
Many seeds are small and need
very light covering with an open,
porous soil. and the seed planted very
near the surface. The moisture will
evaporate out of the soil very rapidly.
and there is considerable risk that the
seed may fail to germinate. Firlming.
to some extent, aids to retain the
moisture near the surface, and the
pressing the soil nearer the seeds will
often insure better termination. and
this is sometimes quite an item.
In the garden light roller is a very
economical implement to use. If this
is not to be had conveniently, tho back
of the spade or hoe can be used. With
seeds that can be planted two or more
inches deep walking over the rows
stepping one foot just in front Of the
other will answer.
IF the potatoes, corn or beans are
planted and covered with the hoe,
stepping on the hill after covering will
answer and can be done with very lit
tie trouble after some practice. If the
check rover is used the wheels will
firm the soil sufficiently.
Often good rolling will be benefi.
cial pressing the soil down firmly up
on the seed. Of course. this should
not be done with = stiff, heavy soil
early in the season or the surface may
bake and form q crust through which
the plants can not force their way.
But with the right kind of soil and in
the right season. firming can very
often be done with considerable profit
And under these conditions it will pay
to see that this is done.-M. j. Shop.
herd, in Western PloUnGn