The log cabin Democrat., 1914-01-29
WELL PREPARED
 SEED BED PAYS
ADVICE OF GOVERNMENT
OF DEEP FLOWING IN SOUTHERN STATES IS
 SHOWN.

Washington, D. C., Jan. 23.-In no section of the country does a we'll prepared seedbed give better returns than in the southern states. The best spring preparation of the soil is prac- tically impossible unless it has been properly turned and deeply broken during the previous summer or fall. The necessity for deep blowing in the south is probably not realized by those who are not familiar with the heavy rainfalls in this section, which ire quently packs and runs the particles of soil together so as to exclude air and sunshine. The absence of freez- ing prevents any loosening up of the particles, besides in many places there is an almost impervious hard pan of soil, either natural or brought about from a continuous custom of shallow blowing. In other sections this deepening and loosening of the soil is done partly at least by the forces of nature but can only be ac- complished by the blow in the south. Such are the findings of the depart ment of agriculture.
 The best implement for deep break ing of the soil is the disc blow which turns, pulverizes and mixes at the same time. When properly adjusted the disc breaks the land deeply and thoroughly loosens it, mixing this soil and the sub-soil to some extent, but does not turn to the surface enough of the inert subsoil to injure the suc- ceeding crop. The next best method for deep breaking is mold-board plow ing, set to turn furrows on edge and this is followed by subsoil blow in the same furrow as deeply as desireda If the cover crop is to follow the fall breaking, thorough preparation of the seed-bed should be made before planting the seed. If no cover crop lis sown the disc harrow or spring tooth harrow should be run over oc- casionally to crush clods and keep sur face crusts broken for the admission of air and sunlight. The usual meth cd is to fiat-break and where this is done it is best to throw up into beds before planting. Planting may be done with small blows or just as eff i fectively and much faster with disc cultivator set at the proper angle. I Should there be clods a roller may be used and this is followed with a sec tion harrow.
 Too much care cannot be given to the preparation of the seed-bed. 1t not only saves cultivation but makes plant food available and furnishes proper conditions for seed germina- ftion and rapid growth. The best farmers will tell you that thorough preparation is more than half the eX- pense of making crop,
 The spring preparation is never as deep as the land was when broken in the fall or winter. With nearly all field crops firm seed-bed is prefera- ble. Only the first few inches need to be freshened and pulverized at planting time. When the cover crop ' is drawn under, the blowing should be just deep enough to turn the crop under we'll and the usual narrowing and pulverizing to get fine soil be- fore seeding.
 Where there has been no fall and winter breaking done, as is the rule Tn some sections, it is not advisable to break as deeply in the spring as In the fall; usually not more than two inches deeper than before, and then the clay subsoil should not be turned to the surface. The blow can set to edge the furrow. It is found more necessary to get spring-broken land finely pulverized and thoroughly pre- pared before planting. It is better to delay planting several days rather than put the seed in a poorly-prepar-