The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-08-15
Precautions Against Drought.

While we can not influence the rain
fall We can, at least. mitigate the effects
of drought to q certain extent by the
proper preparation and cultivation OF
the soil 1t is well-known fact that
when the soil is kept in a loose, fine fri
able condition it not only absorbs moist
ure from the atmosphere, espe tally at
night, but allows the downward course
of the water during showers instead of
loss by flowing off, rs is the case
when the surface is hard. A loose,
deep soil also permits an upward ten
dency of water by capillary attraction,
the loose soil thus storing moisture by
its greater power of absorption when
rains are abundant. We therefore find
in time OF severe drought that the fire.
quent use of the cultivator, even when
the soil apparently does not require
working, is very beneficial. the greenish
tinge of the growing corn giving evil
dence that the constant stirring OF the
soil enables the crop to derive certain
proportion Of moisture that it could not
otherwise obtain.
The leaves of plants give off moisture
very rapidly. When we sprinkle q
plant with water the moisture is not alb
sorbed by the leaves, rs many suppose.
but it arrests, temporarily, the rapid
evaporation that constantly takes place,
which is greatest when the season is
very warm. We may safely compare a
growing plant to pump. which brings
the moisture from below and dis
charges it from the leaves. The moist
ture is collected by the roots, which
spread in every direction, and the
amount of moisture given off in a day
by plant, as corn, for instance, isvery
great. We can not, of course, water q
field of corn, but we can at least lessen
the amount of water which it gives off.
The warmer the soil the more active the
plant in search of moisture. Among
the agencies used for assisting to retain
moisture is plaster, which absorbs
moisture to certain degree from the
atmosphere. Any material that serves
as mulch will impart great benefit to
growing crop. not only by prevent
ING the evaporation of moisture from the
soil, but also by keeping the earth cool.
The only method known, however, for
securing the largest proportion of
moisture is. as We stated, the deep, con-
slant and thorough pulverization of the
soil.
There is another fact to be considered.
Weeds and grass also give off moisture,
and every weed that grows by the side
of a plant intended for cropping de-
prives the desired plant of moisture.
| Sometimes the weed or blade of grass
requires more moisture than the plant,
and fourishes. while the plart dies.
Clean cultivation. therefore, prevents
the robbery of the plant of moisture by
destroying weeds and grass. As two
plants of the same kind growing to-
| gether are rivals, the one struggling
| against the other for supremacy in pro-
curing food and moisture, we should be
cautious not to have too many plants to
the hill. Ii danger occurs during
drought thin out every plant that can
be spared in order that the stronger
and more thrifty may have better oppor-
| tunities to mature. A clean surface
and deep tillage will often save crop
that would otherwise be lost during q
dry season. - Philadelphia Record.