The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-04-14
Flowing in the Spring.

"Do VIC pillow too much n was the question put
by one of our readers few weeks ago, whOthen
proceeded to give his experience in the prepare
ton of land for ccrn without blowing on which
corn had been the year before. Another imple-
ment was used, and the result, as stated by our
correspondent, proves very satisfactory in saving
time and labor, and also in the outcome of the
crop. This experiment is suggestive and no
doubt arrested the attention of numerous readers,
and it is not improbable that some of them may
adopt the "new departure" in the preparation of
their land for the spring crops
The preparation of the soil for the reception of
seed is the most important of all mechanical OPP
erations on the farm, but the time, the desired
depth and the manner of doing the work depends
upon various circumstances as the kind of crop
for which it is intended to devote the land the
character of the soil, etc. There is no question
but that the time and labor of blowing some
fields for spring crop are unnecessary, or, in
other words, that fields which have been well
filled during the preceding season may be put
into good condition for the reception of seed by
the use of implements which greatly economic
time and toll. But of course this method cannot
be followed at random. Every farmer knows
that great deal depends upon the season as well
rs the character of the soil. 1t happens that a
light or naturally friable soil has become packed
and hard by beating storms, and that blowing il
is indispensable in order to put it into proper
condition for a crop, WHILE under other circnm-
stances, soils of amuch heavier texture turn over
like an ash-heap, so that in this, as in other
things, the Judgment of the farmer must govern
in the methods employed in carrying on the op-
erations of his farm.
A few words here upon spring pl6wing are not
ont of place. Sandy or gravelly soils may be
plowed or re-plowed in the spring without run
ming much risk but it is different with clay
soils, and the rule should govern that clay is to
be plowed in the fall or winter. To pursue adif-
ferent course involves a risk, especially with
undrained land. A clay loan which is under
drained and has been well cultivated may be
treated more like a lighter soil; but even then
prudence is required, for clay soils are sensitive
and are often injured by starting the plow too
soon after heavy rain, showing the effect in the
yield of the crop. Stiff, adhesive soils, whether
elayey or loamy, can not be plowed to advantage
while wet or very dry. However, snch soils are
improved by frequent blowing, as this reduces
them to that fine condition which is favorable
to the growth of plants. All tillable land has
more or less clay in it, and if worked when too
wet the result is hurtful. 1t is in this way that
disappointment occurs in the yield of rich aliu-
vial lands, which fail to produce abundantly be-
cause the clay is thus rendered comparatively
useless.
1t may seem supertiuOus to some of our readers
TO offer suggestions that we'll understood by
them. 1t must not he forgotten, however, that
many Of our later readers are young farmers or
men who have had little or experience in till
ing the soil Nor is il out of place tooccasionally
remind farmers of longer experience that much
care must be exercised in blowing and replowing
land IN the spring. In no small degree does the |
success of the seasons crop depend on the farmers
prudence in this regard nor does the matter end
with a single season, and this is one thing that
is frequently lost sight of Mt the time farmer
may be turning over his land. While land is
too wet TO pillow, whether in fall or spring, to
turn it up so that it will bake is to injure it for
several years, entailing much unnecessary loss
both to yield of crops and of labor to restore il
to natural condition of fertility.-Prairie
Fdrmer.