The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-05-06
The Importance of Thorough Cultiva.
ton.

The question is probably already de-
cided by the majority what we will
plant, and where. But is the question
as we'll decided in our minds how the
work shall be done? 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 if the soil be examined when dry,
after the frost is out, it will be found in
a very different state than after a less
severely cold winter. Then we find the
work of soil communion less thor
oughly done, requiring a greater amount
of manual labor to obtain the same re-
suits that much less will produce after
such severe freezing.
The question of profitin farming is one
which affects US all, not only the farmer,
but all other classes as we'll, 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 lat least
the eAterprising ones) of our land. How
over we may differ in methods as to how
this result may be attained, there can be
little doubt but that he who cultivates
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 if there be more arabic soil
to cultivate than means will allow of
doing aoell, it is best to allow that extra
area to lie still and recuperate, while we
concentrate our means on the less area
and work it thoroughly. In thus doing
we enrich instead of exhaus. our soil,
obtain more from the less area than we
should from the whole, and at the same
time save in expense of culture, 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 garden
crop, we find that if the soil is but i'm
perfectly prepared, the crops will tell the
tale; so also will it be with field crops
While we cannot expect the same CON-
minution 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 it 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 it
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 commi-
nuted, the greater surface is exposed to
the feeding action of plants and the ele-
ments, while the deeper it is loosened,
especially in close or compacted SUBJ
soil, the less is it affected by wet or
drought. When to plant and SOW are
questions to be decided from location,
soil and climate, as we'll as the variety
of seed. Nothing is gained by attempt
ing to work soil till it can be done so as
to loosen and have it pulverize, instead
of settle back into q more close state,
bake or crust, etc. neither is there ad-
vantage in sowing seeds in soil SO cold
that they will rot instead of germinat-
ing, but the sooner the seed is put in,
after essential conditions can be COM
piled with, the better. There are natural
laws which govern the act of termination
and vegetation of all plants, and, that
success may be attained. these laws must
be complied with.-W. II. White, tn
Country Gentleman. .a H..