The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-10-23
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ADDRESS s. q
Of Prof J. J. Kapes at the Indiana State Fair

a ~ ~ ~ q - y
OF Prof J. =. Kapes at the Indiana State Fair
h jsL aa3 gd Lcrag 1885, To gbRs 81 G.. = Goa
The Professor announced, after some pre-
lminary remarks, that he would speak on the
subject of the Importance of, Drainage and
ISubsoiling." The earth was originally made
of rock, but frost and heat and other int1uen-
ees had caused ito cIdmble at the surface, thus
creating the soil that covers the earth. This
process, instituted by nature, must be -continu-
ed BY man to preserve or create fertility in the
soils. - ''4
Ielain,' that the same principles made use Of
by Nature; in the original formation ofsoils by
the Debris of rocks should be availed of for
the continued communication of the particles
Of soils; for we may view every pebble stone
and sand as requiring the same operation of
Natures laws to cafise it to give up the inor-
ganic constituents of plants, pent up within it,
SELF as did the original rock from which il
came.
We also claim that the crops distinctly de-
pend upon the quantity of surface of particles
presented for atmospheric influences, and SO
conditioned as to be readily permeated by roots
in search. of their constituents. It is well
known that some pebble soils, which in prac-
tice are barren, have the same composition as
the finelysdiyided soils of the Miami Valley,
and VIII last are of most fertile character.
1t is eyluent, therefore, that the. mechanical
division of the soil, and its presentation TO the
continuance ofthe action Of Natures laws is
ia question of degree, as applied to its capabili-
ty of furnishing the pabutum for crops; and
therefore, the deepest cultivation and the great
lest amount ofatnosphere, with proper degree
Iof humidity, which can be brought in contact
with the surface of the greatest number of
particles, is that which must prove the most
profitable. And itisFa mere question efcost,
Eas to the greatest depth to which these condi-
Itions may be furnished to the soil.
The use of under-drains then, is not merely
to rid the soil Of excess of water; for its tenn
lperature will depend in part upon the quantity
lof air which shall pass through it. Under
ldrains therefore, are useful to the soil, by en-
Iabling air to circulate between its particles;
and it is for this reason that under-drained
soils so arranged that every alternate drain
shall be opened at both ends to the atmosphere
will present the anomaly ofalternate good and
comparatively indifferent crops.2,d sai Eft1ia
/ would lay down, then, the following
selfevident propositions: 1S 5E@ 9n ie5-
1.-the removal ofexcess of water by under
draining, permits the free access of air. lnly
2. The chemical changes necessary to hber-
ate the inorganic constituents pent up in the
particles of soil, go on more rapidly. sa
| g. Those, portions Of the soil known as
alumina and caribou receive larger amounts of
ammonia and carbonic acid from rains 2dews
and atmosphere than in soilspot SO prepared. Il
A. Roots will permeate such soils to greater
distances and hence come in contact with lar
ger amount of such constituents as are requir-
ed for their food, than if the soil was not SO
prepared. T a1Ag3 81 }oss5snt ~
5. The temperature of the soil is materially
elevated by understanding and sub-soil plow-
ing. thus giving a longer and rendering the
season, and rendering the soil capable ofearl-
er blowing. 30 Esa ,l5a or b-4 fae9' -sia
s. The carbonaceous portions of the soils
become incresed by the decay of a greater
amount Of roots
2. Less manure is required to fertilize soils
so prepared. ta1Ie tIsF . it1rze 7al,}'-'
| s, Thoroughly prepared soils never suffer
from drouth. sJ ,se z5fs a,sa i
Z 8. A less amount of seed will produce a
maximum crop
10. Subsoiled meadows never run out. =
II. Deeply disintegrated soils become dar-
ker IN color, -.. 2. s~ar.a.e j = za.sss 81
12 4 large class of weeds are destroyed by
IA through deepening of the soil, including all
those which frequently occur in sour and wet
Soils sad sd E - ITf 5e ~ cs
13. [ Tnder-drained and subsoiled lands do
not compact afterplowing, from rains, to the
extent that is noticeable with ordinary plow-
ing only. q s.''il''
IA. The increased amount of crops conse-
quent upon such preparation, will enable the
farmer to pay ten per cent per annum, or
more, upon the cost of the undetermined, from
the increased ratio crops beyond the expenses
of their production. 1a9 ~ a sfss3 80
10. Soils so prepared viii improve more rap
idly than others, even beyond the improve
ment of the first few years, which goes to reiIn-
burse the original expense, and thus, in perpe-
Ituity, increase the value of the land, more than
the whole cost of the understanding. ea4Ia n
16. The net profit of twenty consecutive
years, understanding, is double-the excess
crops leaving no portion of the IeI ses to bear
upon them, other than in their harvest, from
Increased quantity.
= The FIRST PRoPasI4IoN removal of
the excess of water by understanding permits
the free excess of air, is self-eyident; for while
| the space between the particles is occupied by
water, even the heavier portions ofthe atmos-
lphere-such as earbonic acid-held in it, can
mot enter the soil, but after its removal the at
mospheIe not only is depositing its sheavier por-
ltions in the soil, but the currentof air which
must be continually passing through under
drains is leaking through the tile, and thus
ri ing up through the soil; for if both ends be
open the current of air through the drains is
at times sufficient to blow out a candle at the
more elevated end, and thusa change of atmos-
phere between the particles must be continually
taking place.
q oND.-1The chemical changes necessary
to hberate. the inorganic constituents pent up in
the particles of soil go on more rapidly liz
1t is evident, first that by the presence of at
tm0sphere and proper degree Of humidity,