. Elementary lessons in the physics of agriculture . Fig. 63. in developing a light mulch to retard evaporation from the soil, there is no tool more effective or rapid in its execu- tion than the light, many-toothed harrows. 213. Cultivators.—We have much to learn yet in re- gard to the real objects to be secured by summer tillage or cultivation. Three chief objects appear to control pres- ent practice; they are: 1. To kill weeds. 2. To lessen surface evaporation. 3. To cover the roots of plants more deeply. I believe we shall find, however, that one of the most important functions is 4. To se
. Elementary lessons in the physics of agriculture . Fig. 63. in developing a light mulch to retard evaporation from the soil, there is no tool more effective or rapid in its execu- tion than the light, many-toothed harrows. 213. Cultivators.—We have much to learn yet in re- gard to the real objects to be secured by summer tillage or cultivation. Three chief objects appear to control pres- ent practice; they are: 1. To kill weeds. 2. To lessen surface evaporation. 3. To cover the roots of plants more deeply. I believe we shall find, however, that one of the most important functions is 4. To secure better soil aeration. When we remember that good aeration, plenty of moist- ure, and a warm temperature are among the essentials both to soil nitrification and root-growth, and that nature's ways of soil aeration are decidedly interfered with by our methods of tillage, it seems but natural that some equiva- lent should be supplied by our manner of working soil. If soil aeration is conducive to its fertility it would appear to be rational practice with corn, potatoes and similar crops to adopt deep tillage during the early portion of the season before the roots have come to occupy the soil, to facilitate nitrification, and then to adopt purely surface
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