The great object here should be to get the soil thoroughly fine that
the small, thread-like fibers, and the roots themselves, may waste
the least possible vital power in permeating the earth in search of
food, or in pushing downwards. The vitality wasted in this way is
just so much taken from growth, and may make the sole difference
between a good crop and a poor one. If it is necessary that the
first ploughing should be a very deep one, better apply the manure
(as previously stated, the finer mechanical condition this is in the
better) afterwards. Should the manure be to any degree coarse after
spreading, run the brush or wheel harrow over it, one or both. This
will also break up the clods and fine up the soil and incorporate the
manure with it. If still at all lumpy, follow with a plank drag. Next
plow shallow a few furrows, and have men, with wooden-toothed hand
rakes, rake at right angles, pulling all coarse stones and lumps of
earth and manure into the last furrow made. In brief, proceed to make
as fine a seed bed as for onions.
If any one, depending on the apparent fineness of the surface,
concludes to dispense with the final raking and let the work of the
brush harrow answer, he will be apt to repent it before the season
closes; should he try it let him be sure to double the quantity of
seed planted in that portion of the land so treated. When the land is
loamy and free from stones an implement known as the “Meeker Harrow,”
will be found to be a great time-saver in preparing the seed bed; by
actual test on my own farm, I find that it will do the work of more
than a dozen hands with rakes. If the bed has its first ploughing
early in the season, much of the weed seed will germinate before
planting time, then an occasional use of the cultivator will destroy
many of the pests.