The Brinkley argus., 1916-05-05
III. SOIL TIlLAGE.
By De F. Hungerford. Assistant Az ronomist, College of Agriculture, University of Arkansas.

ronomist, College of Agriculture
 University of Arkansas.
 By constant observation and exper imentation farmers have learned that certain practices are necessary for the production of high yields
 Preparation of a Good Seed Bed: Among those practices of foremost importance is the preparation of s good seed bed. The little roots o1 the young seedlings are too tender tc force their way very far into hard ground in search of food. If com pelled to do so the amount of soil from which they can draw food and moisture is necessarily limited, and consequently the plant is likely tc be stunted.
 A good seed bed is deep, but not too loose. Land broken in the fall and left in the furrow over winter can be prepared for seeding by g thorough disking followed by a har row, but if cover crop has been grown 1t should be broken again as early as possible in the spring. This is especially true if the cover crop IS pastured. A roller seldom benefits heavy soils except when a large amount of organic matter such as ma nure or a green crop has been turned under just a short time before seed ing.
 Storing and Conserving Moisture The water which falls upon the soil ir the form of rain may be lost by running off from the surface, by evap. oration from the soil, by transportation through the leaves of weeds, or by percolation into the lower strata be low the reach of plant roots. Loss by the first three processes can be materially reduced by proper tillage
 When the land has been deeply broken the rain enters into 1t readily and is held there, but when the soI is hard and compact most of the Wa ter runs off into the stream channels where 1t is of no use to crops. Not only is the water thus lost which might have been used for future use but the water running off the land washes away the richest part of the soil and causes gullies to form, thus rendering tillage operations more diff ficult. After rain the surface soil soon dries out by the evaporation oi the water. If the soil is compact moisture is continually being drawn up from below by capillarity and evap orated from the surface. But if the top Is stirred, loose earth mulch is formed which breaks up capillarity and reduces the loss.
 Weeds, however, cause the greatesr loss of moisture from the soil. In tho growth of one ton of weeds about foul hundred tons of water is used, whicf is equivalent to three and a hal inches of rainfall per acre, Weeds also take up the available plant food thus robbing the crops and reducing the yield.
 Soil Ventilation: A thild importan benefit Of thorough tilsage results from the mixing of large amounts O air with the soil. Air is needed by the beneficial soil organisms such al the nitrifying bacteria which makei the nitrogen of organic matter avail able, and it promotes the growth O. those bacteria which make the nitro gen of the air available to plants.
 Fall vs. Spring Breaking: Wher time and weather conditions permit f is better to break the ground in ths fall This leaves 1t in a loose condi ton ready to absorb the winter ant spring rains and prevents washing ant gullying. Where the land is rollins the furrows should run crosswise tt the slope and should not be smootnet with a harrow or drag unless a cove crop is grown.
 Deep Breaking and Shallow Cultiva tion: As a rule the soils of Arkansas are not broken deep enough to secure the best results. Deep breaking re quires the use of larger teams, bu it pays because a larger amount o plant food is made available, and moro moisture is stored up for use in time of drought. An exception to this rule should be noted, however, in the cas- of light sandy soils These are al ready too loose and deep breaking l. injurious. A good average depth fol breaking is six to seven inches fo clay loans and clays. Very sand, soils should not be broken deepe than from three to four inches.
 After the ground has been broker deeply, shallow cultivation of tillet crops such as corn, cotton, or potatoes is the best rule to follow. Deep cul tivation destroys the fine feeding roots thus retarding the growth of thu plants and destroying the beneficia effects of the deep breaking.