The Iola register., 1902-01-31

by the use of the steel drag or Acme
harrow.
WHEN SHOULD THE Work BE DONE
Plow as early as aspossible, whether
it be spring or fall. Fall plowing is
soon as possible after the crop is re-
moved. Always precede the plow with
disc harrow us above stated and the
same day the crop is removed if pos
sible. The plowing may then be de-
layed from one to three weeks If neces-
sary, but don't delay the dsking. The
packer should run as close to the plow
az possible. The packer leaves the
ground firm at the bottom of the fur
row and loose at the top. This Is as
it should be. But good shower will
dissolve and settle down this surface
mulch and make it firm. This surface
of twy or three inches must not be al
lowed to remain firm or the moisture
will soon all escape by evaporation.
Especially is this true II the weather
be hot and dry after the showers
Therefore, after every rain of any
magnitude go over your plowed
soil mulch as soon as soil is suffci-
emily dry on surface so it will not
stick.
One or two civilizations shonld be
fall given plowing before it freezes up,
whether 1t rains or not. The moisture
thus saved in the fall is a reserve
to be drawn upon next season, and
moisture in time of need is dollars to
fn 70 3 trat 10
after every rain. Remember that four
best results. First.-Good depth of
reservoir. Second. A Thoroughly
fined and well firmed subsurface to
form a perfect root-bed. Much de.
pends upon this. Third.-A constant
and perfect soil mulch to prevent the
evaporation Of moisture. Fourth. -
Undislurb, d roots.
PLANTING OR SOWING.
All cultivated crops-corn, potatoes
vegetable ETC., may be planted in the
ordinary manner, but be careful not
to use too much seed, and give plenty
of space between hills and rows.
Sowing small grain should be done
with a drill, and the seed fully y
inches deep. Here, too, care should be
taken not to seed too heavy. When
soil has been fitted as above, the grain
will stool literally. Too much seed
oftener causes a short yield and poo-
quality than too little seed. The har-
row should be used Immediately after
seeding, and again after the grain
comes up, before It covers the ground
Narrowing of winter wheat in the
spring is very desirable. A light.
flexible harrow should always be used
After the grain comes up use the light
harrow frequently on the cornandpota-
toes in their early growth. While you
may destroy few plants with the har-
row, the increased amount of moisture
held in the soil will more than make
up the loss.
TREATMENT DURING THE GROWING
SEASON
The following instructions for cult
waiting during the growing season
apply to the cultivation of all crops
and orchards:
Go over the ground with the surface
cultlvator once in from four to ten
days, gauged by the weather. Or
chards should be deeply disked early
every spring. Immediately after every
rain lose no time in restoring the
mulch with the surface cultivator. In
case of heavy rains cultivation should
be delayed long enough for the free
water to disappear and until the soil
will work up light, but delay no longer
than is absolutely necessary, for il is
Immediately after a heavy rain that
evaporation is the most rapid. BY
careful tests as high as one quart Of
water to the square foothas been known
to leave the soil by evaporation in one
day following heavy rain. Let the
cultivator run slightly deeper in the
early part of the season. When the
weather is very hot should cultivate
as often as possible. Every three or
four days is none too often, and keep
1t going. Never use cultivator with
wide long pointed shove S. Cultivate
corn, potatoes and vegetables during
their entire period of growth. Bear
ing in mind the purpose of the cultiva-
tion is to retain moisture by stopping
evaporation.
Do not disturb the roots, for they
will lbeneeded to carry the crop over
some critical period. The destruction
of the roots Is as serious as the loss
OF moisture to the plant. There are
critical time at the forming of the