The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1917-06-15
BREAK MORE LAND
FOR CROP IN 1918
High Prices Justify Using More
of Unused Resources of
State of Montana.

Carefully compiled statistics show
that les sthan five per cent of the
total area and less than IL per lent of
the tillable ares Of Montana, has yet
been broken. This means that Mon
tana can increase her crop returns
enormously; and, with present high
prices and the pressing need for in
creased food supply, that she will in
crease her cropped area by breaking
much raw land this season.
When to Break.
Upwards of sixty per cent of the
yearly precipitation comes during the
months Of April, May, June and early
July in most sections of Montana. This
means that soil moisture conditions
are most favorable at tbs time and
that breaking al then be most eas-
lily and effectively done.
In practice June l to July Is is the
period most commonly devoted to
breaking. The early spring months
are used for the seeding and the
"slack lime" between spring plant
ing, and haying or fall wheat har-
vesting is used for increasing the
plowed area on many farms. June
breaking conditions are usually very
favorable. The soil is moist and the
grass green, which favors the ready
packing of the soil and the prepara-
ton Of the seed bed with minimum
effort. At this time, too, the sod will
rot most quickly.
Fall breaking is not done to any
extent in the state. At that time Of
year the soil is usually so dry that
breaking requires maximum power
and the seed bed cannot be worked
down easily. Except during the alb
normally wet season fall blowing has
not been found satisfactory.
How Deep to Break.
Four to five inches is a fair depth
to break average sod. Opinions differ
on this point and the nature of the
soil is an important factor to be con-
sidered. Yet a large proportion of
the good breaking in the state is
done at this depth. Moreover, break
ing to a depth of four to five inches
cuts off a furrow slice thick enough
to be turned over and lie flat, and at
the same time necessary cultivation
may be given and a good seed bed
prepared without cutting entirely
through the sod.
With light soils breaking to a
depth of six or seven inches may be
best, but or the average four to five
inch breaking has been found to be
quite generally suited to Montana con-
ditions. Succeeding civilizations should
be deeper, down to seven or eight
inches.
Tillage After Breaking.
Sufficient packing to force the new
ly turned furrow slice into close con-
tact with the moisture below, and
enough surface cultivation to make a
loose soil mulch which will prevent
the loss of moisture are two essentials
which should be observed in the cult
walton of newly broken land. In some
instances packers are used with good
success but on many soils the furrow
slice a be sufficiently packed by the
disc which makes the necessary mulch
at the same operation. To double disc
Immediately following the breaking
pillow will work the furrow slice down
most easily and the prompt making
OF the mulch will save a large per-
centage of the moisture. This prompt
cultivation right after turning over
sod is very important at this sea-
son of the year. Where possible, it is
advised to cross double disc later.
should be done before
planting in the fall. Make the newly
broken seed bed firm below and loose
On top.-Alfred Atkinson, Montana
Station.