Shallow soils should not be plowed deep enough
to bring up too much of the subsoil at one time, but
gradually plow a little deeper each time for several
years, if too much of the subsoil is brought to the
surface at one time it will reduce the productive
ness for a year or two, until the inert matter is
decomposed and mixed with the live fertile soil.
It is advisable to vary the depth of plowing in
heavy land in order to break up the furrow sole,
but it is just as important to plow sandy soils the
same depth year after year, in order to produce a
more impervious condition which will prevent too
rapid loss of soil moisture.
It is unusually best to apply manure as a surface
dressing and mix it with the soil by decaying. If
it is desire-1
to mellow and deepen the soil it is bet-
ter to bury tue manure deeply. Light sandy soil
derives the greater benefit from manure when
spread on the surface and covered with a shallow
furrow. Coarse trashy manure should be covered
deeply, because it will decay better, owing to the
greater quantity of moisture.
The purpose of green manure (green vegitation)
is to deepen the soil-and supply humus so it should
be well covered, especially when the growth is
heavy.
It is best to plow early when plowing under a
green crop or a heavy coat of manure, so the or
ganic matter will have ample time to decay and the
soil become settled before seeding time. With good
seed planted in the soil, a few simple factors largely
determine the strength of germination, the stand
and the yield of the crops, also the quality of grain
produced. These factors are moisture, heat and air.
