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Show BEST SOIL FOR URf FARMING Only Types of Land Not Adapted Are Alkali, Heavy Gumbo or Light Sandy or Gravelly. (By II. P. PATTERSON, Montana Station.) Sta-tion.) During the past two years we have received a large number of Inquiries as to the best type of land for dry farming There are a number of different dif-ferent types upon which farmers have had good success by following dry fnrmiug principles. The only types of soil that are not well adapted to dry farming are alkali lands, heavy gumbo gum-bo lands, or light sandy or gravelly soils, for the reason that they do not have a good physical condition. The clay and alkali soils are so fine in texture that it is almost impossible for the plants to make use of the moisture that these soils contain. The sandy soils are so open and porous that they will not hold any of the water and so are not well adapted to dry land farming. Of these two types of scil the heavy clay and the sandy, the former is more desirable. The subsoil Is Important in determining determin-ing whether a land is well adapted for dry farming methods or not. The subsoil sub-soil should be of such a nature as to absorb and hold a large amount of water. wa-ter. It Is in the subsoil that we find the moisture reservoir, and unless this soil is of such a character as to hold the moisture, we are going to have a great deal of trouble in trying to dry farm it. The best type of soil for dry land farming Is a sandy clay loam, a soil that has the power of absorbing and holding a large amount of moisture and that can be very easily worked, and upon which the dust mulch can be easily maintained. It Is very difficult to maintain a dust mulch upon a heavy, stlp, clay soil, whereas upon a sandy loam this mulch can be maintained main-tained without a great deal of work. xhe slope of the land best adapted for dry land agriculture varies with the different localities. Farmers, as a rule, prefer the land that slopes gently towards the north or the northeast. This, however, is not the most important impor-tant point, but one worthy of full consideration con-sideration when choosing a farm. The north slope escapes the direct rays of the sun to a degree, Is a trifle later starting In the spring, which Is frequently fre-quently an advantage, and is generally not apt to suffer from hot winds and drought |