Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-04-26
stirring the Soil in Spring.

The benefits to be derived from stirring
the soil about plants early in the spring
are seldom appreciated by our farmers or
fruit growers. After soil has lain un-
touchedfor six months, packed with snow,
ice and rain, IL is but reasonable to sup
pose that it would be benefited by break
ing up, SO that The warm rains of spring
may readily penetrate to the roots of
plants growing therein, as well as aid in
the termination of seeds sown. .n
We know there is an old notion prcva-
lent among the cultivators of the soil that
because native trees and weeds grow with
out culture, introduced plants should do
the SAME. But what sane man among us
will be content with just what nature
chooses to give him, and ask for no moreY
Do we not all strive to obtain the best and
most improved fruits and grainsg And
are not all these in an immature state, re-
quiring corresponding care and culture?
1t is folly to talk of taking nature as
guide in cultivating the soil, or in manip-
ulating any of the profits thereof, mas
much as all improvements and progress
are more or less Il departure from nature.
Although our agriculturists may hold
different opinions in regard to the manner
of cultivating the soil, all admit that it is
necessary in some FORM and the really
progressive class believe that the better
the culture, the better will be the result
There are, however, few general rules
in agriculture to which there are not many
exceptions, and if every writer on this
topic would always bear this fact in mind,
VIC should witness less positiveness and
more charity for the opinions of Others
We mention this because what we are
about to say in regard to stirring the soil
about the roots of plants in spring is con
trary to the generally received notion
among farmers and gardeners.
Many writer on agricultural and hor-
ticultural topics has prescribed the use of
any implement among plants that is likely
to disturb the roots. If a man was asked,
"Shall cultivate my strawberry beds in
spring." the answer as rule has been in
the negative, from the apprehension that
a few of the roots might be broken or
otherwise disturbed
1t certainly would be better plan to
have the strawberry beds thoroughly cul-
tivated In autumn and all weedsremoved,
and then to cover all the vacant space be
tween the plants with mulch, which need
not be disturbed until after the fruit is
gathered the following season But we
may ask, "HOw many strawberry beds
are there in such condition at this
timer" We fear that there are very few,
even among the most careful cultivators
of the fruit, and that instead of being
free from weeds, the beds are nearly over
run with grass and other plants, which, if
not removed, will materially lessen the
crop of fruit.
Our own experience has taught us that
it is far better to remove the weeds, even
If the strawberry plants are considerably
disturbed, than to allow them to remain.
The hoe or cultivator should be passed
between the rows and all weeds pulled
out from among the plants. This pro
cess, instead of injuring the crop, will in
most cases tend to increase it. The weed
Ing and cultivating should always be done
as early in the season as possible, in
order to secure the benefit of spring rains
in settling the soil again about the roots.
Among raspberries, blackberries and
similar plants we prefer rather to use the
plow, letting it run pretty deep, even if
few roots are cut Off, than merely to skim
the surface with hoe or cultivator. Roots
that are broken or cut off early in spring
will usually heal, and throw out new root
lets from their wounds by the time the
plants are in full leaf
We would carry this principle of culti-
vation into all branches of horticulture
and agriculture, and while not advocating
unnecessary disturbance of the roots of
plants, would still insist that it is even
better TO do little damage in this way
than to neglect the stirring of the soil.
The gardener expects and usually OBJ
tains as vigorous growth the first year
plant is set out as at any other time, al
though every root has been disturbed and
probably portion. of them removed.
The fresh, loose and warm soil promotes
growth, and the opposite conditions check
ii, and it is for this reason that we urge
the stirring of the soil about all plants
and trees in spring.
When our farmers learn to practice the
best and most profitable systems of agri-
culture they will SOW all kinds of grain in
drills, and cultivate them as thoroughly as
they now do their corn and potatoes. If
any one doubts the benefit of culture
upon full-sown wheat or rye, let him try
the experiment and satisfy himself, Such
crops are as much benefted'by stirring the
soil about the plants as any others, and we
believe that with the proper implements
this culture can be practised with profit.
-.Neeo York Sun.