The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-02-06
Preparation OF the Soil

pairing the soil before the seed is plant
ed, or the plant set Our grandfathers,
for hoed crops, spread Their coarse ma
nure on the surlace of the land and
plowed 1t under, then they furrowed the
ground with small horse pillow, and
where the seed was dropped put half
shovel full of the finer manure, on
which the seed was dropped and COW
cred; thus leaving the manure unmiXed
with the soil, and where 1t would lay
undisturbed until the land was plowed
for another crop; nor was any ehort
made to pulver re the soil until the crop
was up large enough to hoe. II they
had tree to set they simply dug a
small hole just large enough to receive
the roots, and without any preparation
of the soil, filled up the hoe and lett
the tree to take its natural course.
Our fathers made step of progress
by spreading the manure on the su lace
after the ground was plowed, and with
the old toothed A harrow mixed the
manure with the soil, and when they
set tree many of them dug a hole much
larger than the roots of the tree extend
ed, and after sett 'ng the tree filled
around the roots with soil well prepared
for plant growth. But it was 10 I Tor
this gene alton to more fully realize that
il we are to force nature much beyond
her natural course, we must study TO
prepare the soil not only in the best
manner, but at the best time.
A careful study of natures ways OF
feeding plants teaches us that crude ma
terials can not enter the plants, but that
a separation must first take place, di-
viding the fertilizing materials into
atoms that are in condition to mingle
with both air and water, which they will
readily do, and thus form molecules that
are readily taken up by the growing
plants, and conveyed to the numerous
cells, where that nice chemical opera
tion takes place which transforms each
molecule into the particular substance
necessary to produce all of the charac-
teristics of the plant and the fruit or
vegetable.
Having satisfied ourselves on some of
the principal points of vegetable
growth, we can more fully real re tie
Importance of thoroughly pulverizing
the soil, and so mingling the fertilizing
materials with il tnat there will be a
rapid formation of those molecules
which produce plant food. The fact that
the division of particles by the decay of
substances is hastened 10y the pre- 'ence
of water and warm air, readily explains
the reason why well pulverized soil is
best adapted TO the rapid manufacture
of plant food. A soil that is closely
pressed together prevents the free
passage OF both water and warm air;
therefore, although 1t may contain large
quantities of fertilizing materials, the
manufacture of plant food will be very
slow indeed, because of the want OF the
two elements essential to produce a
change.
II we would work to the best advan-
tage II Is necessary that we should know
how soon after the soil is stirred the
process Of the decay of materials COM
mences, and thus the manufacture OF
plant food takes place. Observation
teaches that this is in very few days;
in fact, sometimes In very few hours;
consequently, when we can readily dc
so, 1t IS best 10 prepare the soil for
most Of crops but short time before
they are expected to grow. For exam.
pie, IL the crop be carrots, II would be
very unwise TO prepare the land in the
autumn, let il settle all winter, and
then SOW the seed on the hard surface
without pulverizing It, A better way
would be to partially prepare the land
ia the autumn, and then Just before the
seed is sown in the spring, thoroughly
pulverize the soil that it may be in a
condition for the air and water to min
gle with the particles of manure at the
time when the growing crop needs it.
What is true Of carrots Is true OF all
plants.
Experience (Which is worth more
than all Of the theories that ever exist.
ed)proves that II we would produce ap-
id plant growth we must not only have
the land well pulverized before the seed
Is planted, or the tree set, but frequentl,
stir the soil while the plants are grow
ing, and that the more thoroughly the
manure Is mixed with the soil thc better
will the crops grow.
The old methods of our grand 'a;hers
and the newer apA better methods %
our fathers OF setting trees has been i'm
provedupon by nipdern orchardist,, who
are not content 10 simply dig q large
hole and set the Tree In il. even ougf
they surround il Nth rich soil in place
OF the natural. Uhder-dra ming is now
resorled TO on clay soils. and the whole
land is thoroughly prepared leioe { {
trees are SET, by deep plowing and iht
thorough mixing OF the manure witl
the soil. II is found that by thus or
oughly preparing the sol u short tim,
before the trees are set. they start of
the first year with agrowth that is high
" satisfactory.
Our age is one Of RAPID progress. We
are not content to wat the SOW prog
rcSs OF nature when left to herself buI
we lind il for our interest TO use suct
means as are at our command to ha ioI
the growth OF the crops we grow IN ON
fields, orchards and gardens. tn,
more carefully we study the ways %
nature the better shall we be Ir parpC
20 assist her. Very few in our das be
eve. as our grandIathers seemed TO
hat plants feed on coarse maveriTs
md so place the manure in little heap'
where IL can remain undSturnet
throughout the growing season: bu
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