The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-07-05
SUMNER rrLLAoE OF THE GROWING CROPS.
.adranfages o! the frequent Stirring of fMe Soil

.adrantages o, the frequent Stirring fMs Soil
The benefits of deep and through pulveriza-
ton Of The soil before planting crop. are be-
ginning 10 be well understood by most farmers,
but only few seem to have any distinct idea OF
the Importance of keeping the surface OF tho
ground mellow by frequent stirring between the
growing plants, except so fer as may be neces-
sary to prevent the growth of weeds--and even
this We should Judge is mol deemed of much
consequence by some who call themselves far
mers. We propose therefore to state in few
words few of tho advantages offrequent till
age or maintaining mellow surface among
growing crops; speedily test BY experience the
truth of our suggestions.
/. As preuentipe Of injury from drcuh;
frequent stirring of the soil is of great advan-
tagc-and in our sunny climate. more or less
injury to crops is caused by drouth almost every
summer. A mellow surface allows the rains
to descend into the soil, instead ofrunning of
into gullies and streams; II also preveots the
rapid evapUrntiun return Of moisture from
the soil into the atmosphere and in dry weather
1t absorbs greater amount OF moisture in tho
form Of dow, by allowing the air which is loaded
with moisture at night 10 descend consider
able depth into the ground. and by presenting
a vastly greater amount OF particles to its in
fuence than hard surface can do; and these
particles becoming quickly cool st night, con-
dense vapor and cause dew, while a hard sur
face gives out warmth received during the day,
and thus prevents the formation Of dew. Every
person must have observed that moro dew falls
on mellow snrface than on hard one, and
the soil beneath remains moist much longer
during severe drouih.
2. IL enriches the soil, and thereby increas-
cs the growth Of the crop. This is done by
allowing the rains to descend into the soil, as
above stated, and thereby the ammopio which
summer rains always contain, is absorbed and
made available to the roots of plants, instead
Of being carried off into ponds and streams -
The power of clayey and loamy soils to absorb
ammonia Is one of tho most valuable discover
les which chemical science has made for agri-
culture.
8. .Nutritive elements ofhr soil are rendered
more drdiiable, by the admission of air. as well
as moisture to the roots of plants Much of
the food Of plants like carbon, il either absor-
bed by the roots in gaseous form, or is rem
drcd soluble by the action of gases by fermen-
tation, i'm which atmospheric air is a necessary
agent; hence it is found that manures are &C n
partiveIy Of but little advantage in wet clayey
soils where the air has not free access, and It is
measurably tho same in dry soils where the
surface baked and hard.
4. The destruction Of ,ceeds. We should
not deem it necessary to speak of this, did we
not see some formers still holding to the mis-
taken notion that weeds are an advantage in
shading tho'gronnd in the time Of drouthl Let
such men consider that every weed acts as a
suction pump. drawing moisture from beneath
the surface, and sending il off by evaporation
into the air, and also absorbing nutriment from
the soil-then the advantage of their destruc-
,ion by frequent hoeing, &C., we think must be
obvious.
There arc several other advantages, as the
preservation ofa more equal temperature in
soils that are frequently stirred, &C.: but fear
ing that our article will be to long for farmers
to read at this busy season. we will not say more
at present. Ohio cuitiudtor.