Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-05-06

The question Is probably already de-
cidcd by the majority what we will
plant and where. But Is the question
as well decided In our minds how the
work shall be doneY The effects OF the
recent winter weather on the soil should
teach us the lesson that whatever we I'M
dertake, In the culture Of the soil and
crops, should be thoroughly performed,
for II the soil be examined when dry,
after the frost is out, 1t will be found in
a very different state than after less
severely cold winter. Then we find the
work of soil communion less thor
oughly done, requiring greater amount
OF manual labor TO obtain the same re-
suits that much less will produce after
such severe freezing. ...-
The question OF profit in farming is one
which affects us all, rot only The farmer,
but all other classes as well, and how to
produce the greatest crops with the
least expense, or to obtain the greatest
profit from our farm and labor, is the
universal study OF the farmers (at least
the entcrprisine ones) of our land. How
ever we may differ In methods as 10 how
this result may be attained, there can be
| little doubt but that he who cultisates
the most thoroughly obtains the best
crops. Thorough culture combined
with economical culture are the essen
tials which give us the greatest profit in
all our planting and sowing. Experience
| and observation have also taught me
that greater profit and advantage re-
| suit in concentration OF effort and cult
! ure, while il there be more arabic soil
| TO cultivate than means will allow of
doing nell, it Is best TO allow that extra
l Il x.Yh. f.
| concentrate our means on the less area
and work it thoroughly. In thus doing
| we enrich instead OF exhaust our soil,
obtain more from the less area than We
| should from the whole, and at the same
| time save In expense of lure, etc. In
order to bring the whole into an i'm
proved condition, rotation and time effect
the desired result, when working in this
manner. In preparation for a garden
crop, we find that II the soil Is but i'm
perfectly prepared, the crops will tell the
| tale so also will 1t be with field crops.
| While we cannot expect the same com
minuion and culture of field as OF gar
den crops, it will be found economical
TO lean strongly in that direction, and
| the nearer we approach IL the less do
unfavorable seasons affect the result.
Crops should be selected from their
| adaptation to the soil, and then the soil
should be worked SO as best To adapt IL
| to these crops. know Of no crop but
that will start and grow to maturity bet
/ ter where the soil is made fine and free
from Jumps, balks, etc, by good plow-
ing, narrowing or rolling and crushing
the clods. The finer the soil Is commit
nuted, the greater surface Is exposed to
| the feeding action of plants and the ele-
mcnts, while the deeper II Is loosened,
especially in close or compacted sub
soil, the less is il affected by wet or
drought. When to plant and SOW are
questions to be decided from location,
soil and climate, as well as the variety
Of seed. Nothing is gained by attempt
ing TO work soil till it can be done so as
| 70 loo en- and have it pulyerize, instead
j of settle back iato more close state,
1 bake or crust, etc; neither IL there adj
vantage In sowing seeds in soil so cold
that they will rot instead OF germinat-
ing, but the sooner tie seed Is put in,
after essential conditions can be com
piled with, the better. There are natural
laws which govern the actof termination
and vegetation of all plans-, and, that
success may be attained. these laws must
be complied wiih--Iy. H.. Whtfs IN
i Country Gentleman.