The Portland daily press., 1876-08-14
Effects Of Cultivation,

1.-The cultivator, when rightly used, frees
land from weeds, and prevents the sapping OF
the ground by the abstraction of elements
which, In the form of useless plants, are OF
no service to the grower, and which if not SC
abstracted might be of avail for the crop. II
stirs and aerates the land, and effects more
efectual diffusion of the fertile elements
throughout the soil. 1t pulverizes the sur.
face soil, and leaves it in the condition by
which it acts as blanket, preventing to a
large extent evaporation from the soil be.
meath and the finer particles on the surface
act as a more efficient absorbent of the moist
ure deposited from the dews. This action
may be better understood, if we consider that
this very means is used so effectually for the
preservation of ice. 1t is the object of
the ice.storer to surround his blocks with a
material so granular as to confine much air
in its spaces; for he knows from experience
that dead air Is a non-comductor of heat, and
that alsuficient strata of air, as occurring in
his layer of sawdust, is amply effectual
against even our hottest summer heat. So
with our soil; porous layer Of dry earth pro-
tects the lower soil from the action of the
sun, and its consequent loss of water. This
is an important consideration, in our proyis.
ion against the droughts of late summer, and
experience amply justifies our explation of its
good effects.
The most novel theory, owever, and the
most important influence of cultivation, as
we believe, is its effect on the plant. When
ever the cultivator passes through the soil we
must necessarily have the breaking off of
roots This breakage of roots, to which we
have given the name of root pruning, is fol-
lowed by most interesting effects upon the
plant. First, in its influence upon the root
itself. In those cases which we have CAREFUL
Iv nj orvod ifc inf 6oe hoa g.
the fibrous character. The broken root yery
soon develops numerous buds, which soon
develop into branches or fibrils, as we shall
term them. Thus a long, struggling root,
which but passes through the soil, without
really occupying the soil, without really oc-
cupying many OF its interstices, is changed
into mass of fibrils, which, ramiiying In
every direction, more fully occupy the coil
interstices, and are not only fitted through
their newness and structure to feed, but are
In the position to obtain the largest amount
OF the fertility present in the land.
Next, in its influence upon the plant. The
growth OF the plant is checked for a short
time, and during the interval OF rest, the
juices of the plant and its tissues are be.
coming ripened, so that when the growth of
the plant again commences it appears more
in the tendency to seed than to that of
growth. In word, the forces of yegeta-
ton seem turned into forces of fruitfulness,
we therefore have In root pruning tenden-
cy toward decreasing the foliage; and this
in the corn plant causes diminished drain
upon the fertility in the soil, and opening of
the soil and plant to the influences of the
sun and air; in our other cereals, tends to
stiffen the straw, and prevent that softness
OF tissue which affords satisfactory indus
for the mildew sporule. This with an in
creased productiveness.
These effects, strong as they seem. appear
to be substantiated by limited experience.
and to be in accordance with the approved
theories Of plant growth.
Such being the good effects come from cul-
tivating the growing crops, is it not we'll that
farmers should put in practice the use Of the
cultivating tools, and till the crops very
thoroughly? We think that, as the matter
is brought to the attention of our farmers,
each one can recall the beneficial effects
which have followed within his own expert
ence; and oftentimes, perhaps he will be
apie 10 account for certain results which in
Inc past have surprised him by being larger
than be has anticipated.
we desire to call especial attention to the
Importance of these considerations in connec.
ton with the use of artificial fertilizers. and
manuriDg in the hill. A little reflection will
show the reason. A MANFRED field NAV Weld
crop, with little care on the part Of the
farmer on account of the bulk and distribu-
ton of the fertility; while an equally fertil-
lied field may require more cultivation, in
order that the plant roots may be equal in
contact with the condensed material.
E. L. s.