The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-06-25
Stirring the SOIL.

There are many farmers and gardeners who
seldom stir the soil about their plants excep,
when 1t is absolutely necessary for the purpose
of destroying weeds. Aeration, or exposure
of the soil to the action of the air, is often o.
much importance, III order to secure full de
velopment of all cultivated plants; and this il
as much part Of cultivation as the subduing
of weeds. The husbandman Is not satisfied
even with a natural growth in cultivated
plants, but seeks an abnormal growth in the
whole or in those parts Of plants designed fol
his use or that of his animals. He does not
strictly speaking, follow nature, but endeavors
to improve upon her ways Of doing. things
consequently he ploughs, sows cutivates ant
forces plants to make an abnormal growth
We have known farmers who appeared tC
think that the less ploughIng, hoeing, and
stirring the soil about plants the better, pro
vided Il far return was secured for their la
Dor. But such men are usually satisfied with
what others would consider a halt crop, and
it is needless to say that they find farming g
poor business
The best and most thorough farmers do moi
stir the soil too much or too often either III
preparing it for the reception of crops or after
ward. A single ploughing for wheat or other
small grains is not enough in order to break
up and thoroughly pulverize the soil: and al
though fair yield may be obtained under
such systems, far better one would be secur
ed if the ground was turned over two or three
times, and after each blowing thoroughly har
rowed. The old system of summer following
land, when thoroughly carried out, can scarce
ly be improved upon in preparing land for
either winter or spring wheat. BY ploughing
two or three times during the summer, and
narrowing after each turning not only is the
soil mixed and pulverized but the weeds also
arp DESTROYED which ucu nj Sr,rinp NJ, M hu,,
ever fresh soil with its seeds is brought to the
surface. Of course, land may be constantly
cropped without rest, provided it is kept rich
by the addition of fertilizers, but there are few
farmers who can supply these in sufficient
abundance to preserve the fertility, and for
this rotation of crops must be practised or the
land rested Whatever system of cultivation
is practised, the farmer should manage to
keep up the fertility of his land, and whenever
he finds his crops failing he may rest assured
that change is necessary. Sometimes deeper
ploughing will produce a marked improve.
ment IN fertility, but the SubSoil, If brought 10
the surface, needs 90 be fully aeraied and pull
verified before ii will be in good condition for
the reception of seeds.
In the cultivation of corn, potatoes, and
similar crops, stirring the soil among the
plants can scarcely be repeated too frequently
during the early part OF the season; IN fact.
these operations may be continued until the
crop is well on toward maturity. Every time
the plough or cultIvator is run through the
rows small weeds are DESTROYED Jumps broken
up, and air and its accompanying moisture
admitted. The ground may be too wet tor
plOughng or stirring with culuvatOrs and
hoes, but II is never too dry. because the more
frequently these implements are used the more
moisture will the soil absorb from the air If
any OF our readers doubt this, let them try a
small plat OK ground during dry weather, stir
ring the soil every day, and leave an adjoining