The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-18
SCIENCE ON THE FARM.
The Value of Progressive Science in IL
Cultivation of the SliI.

The Value of Progressive Science in the
Cultivation of the Soil.
The process Of vegetable growth ard
structural formation of plant life carries
with it lessons of intense interest AID
instruction. The organization of tree
or plant, beginning with the seed and
followed onward to that stage where ii
reproduccs the germ of life whence it
sprang, Is no less wonderful or complex
than that of the physical organization
of man itself.
The immutable law governing this
creative process, the Interchangeable re-
suits produced from certain incentive
causes, is one of those wonders of ,rea-
ton termed by some the law OF nature,
by others the shaping OF a divine pur-
pose originating solely with a God.
However that may be. and we will leave
it to be discussed by theologians and
materialists, our purpose is but to make
a few reflections in regard to the phys
zeal synthcsis of plant life from the seed
The seed itself is TO us the primary
origin of the plant. To the philosopher
who goes beneath the surface of things
shat seed is but stage of life
There was necessarily 4 previous ex-
istence for that. Let us illustrate
by taking a wheat grain. Here
the chemist. by the wonderful forces
brought under his manipulation, disOr-
ganizes this seed into its physical con-
stituents. He goes still further and re-
duceS these again into their primary el-
ements. And what are these? Simpll
a combination of elements entering intc
the functions of nearly ali physical sub
stances, neither having, separately. the
characteristic in the remotcst degree of
our grain of wheat: but by some mys-
lie force the force that lights the end |
less night with her brilliant galaxy of
planets, the power that controls the !
mighty rush of OceanS-also governs in |
Its vast preScience the formative process |
that gives to man the tiny grain of |
wheat wherewith to sustain that condi- |
ton called life. Put this grain in the
earth with conditions favorable to its |
fructiticatiOn maintained and soon q |
wondrouS change is seen: the inert |
grain gives forth its spikelet of green.
the elements confined within become
endowed with life and it undergoes in
itself most mighty changes. Attracting
TO itself other clements from the soil. it
shoots UP an active, living plant. But
let there be 4 SElgle element MISSING
from its proper suStenance and At once a
battle begins for existence. The plant
demands certain conditions for its sup
port Say that nitrogen was missing,
tho 1or1o1- ,,-aa -liafr Go -, /
duce that robust head, Iich in bread
products; omit the silica, the stalk that
should stand erect and firm to produce
its kind, falls low before the IighteSt
zephyr and bids for more sustenance;
omit the phOSphoric acid, the farmer is
again in despair at unproductive crops.
1t will thus be seen that whatever care
the farmer may give the soil or the seed
therein planted, other requirements arr
demanded Tor the perfect reproductive
process. What relief then has the nus
bandman, who so finding himself. sees
before him the prospect of poor crops
and possibly ruin. Herein comes the
value OfprogreSSive science. Chemistry.
which teaches the constituents of plants I
and their requirements as to soil. here
steps IN. and, with analytical demonStra-
ton. reaches the source of the difficulty
and comes 10 the rescue with proper
remedies. The clements that are lack
ing in the soil are supplied and the Gre
alive process is continued
What lesson is here taught? The ex- :
perience forced upon farmers many ,
years ago tdat certain rotations in grow !
ing crops were demanded to restore :
worn soils, was an unconscious step in
science. discovery of century wha, :
modern chemistry demonstrated in a :
The lesson teaches that soils +
ESfy largely and have different adapta- =
hons; that continued cropping, without y
a compensatory return, will ultimately n
exhaust any soil of its nutritive constit E
ientS. and, lastly. that science can. with
master hand, cut the Gordian knot OF !.
iiiiicul5ieS such as these, and in it the +,
lller of the soil has constant friend.--I q
taSaaeRa Tasiey Union. II