The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-10-22


1t is seldom a soil is exhausted Of
all its elements of fertility. 1t re-
quires variety of crops to thorough.
lly exhaust a soil, but soil may be
deprived of single element which
will render it incapable of produc'
ing some crops, while it may grow
good crops of kind that had not
previously been raised upon it
There is no doubt that soil may
decrease in fertility to such an ex-
tent as to be largely deprived o.
portions of all the elements of plant
food, but this deprivation is not
equal. and the soil suddenly and
unexpectedly fails, simply because
there has been an excess of some
particular element carried off IN the
crops without doing great injury IN
other respects. Such soil may be
considered exhausted for the grow
ing of crops similar TO those remov-
ed from it, but it may happen that
the farmer, instead Of being COM
PEELED to manure his Ind, or fertil-
ize it with yaricus materials, may
again grow the same crops by
the addition of but single fertil-
izer.
In growing wheat, for instance
the soil may be exhausted of nitro
gen or phosphoric acid, though rich
in potash, and, although failing to
grow a remunerative crop of wheat,
may still be sufficiently productive
for growing clover. Cases may be
mentioned in which weak crops OF
wheat were invigorated and made to
yield above the average by applying
nitrate of soda in the spring, a read
| ily available form of supplying nj
trogen. The application of q few
bags of superphosphate on wheat
has been equally beneficial on some
farms, demonstrating that the soil
to which was applied the nitrate OF
soda was deficient in nitrogen, or,
rather, il was exhausted so far as
that material was concerned, bat was
still capable of furnishing potash
and phosphoric acid to the growing
wheat. The soil upon which tie
superphosphate was applied WAS de-
fcient in phosphoric acid, though
it NAV also have been benefited by
the nitrogen which usually accom-
panies phosphoric acid in that form.
Potash, however, was not deficient
in either case, and had ashes been
applied as a means of renovation
disappointment would .have been
the result. although ashes are known
to be excellent for exhausted soils.
A crop of clover would have produc-
ed largely, as the clover plant de-
prives the soil of but little nitrogen
and phosphoric acid. The clover
plant is composed of nitrogen to a
great extent, but ii has the power to
appropriate this element from the
rains carried down from the air
in the shape of nitric acid and am
monia.
The application of manure does
not always restore fertility, for ma
nure differs in quality according to
its composition. That produced on
dairy farms. where the nitrogen and
phosphates are carried away in the
milk, will not Immediately restore a
soil deficient in nitrogen or phos-
phoric acid. 1t may do so slowly,
as it will gradually store up, by the
assistance Of the atmosphere, more
or less nitrogen. And as some phos-
phoric acid and nitrogen will be left
in the manure, the soil NAV gradu-
ally be fitted for any kind of crop.
1t is best, therefore, in the interest
of economy, TO endeavor to arrive
at knowledge of the requisites of
a soil before applying fertilizers, as
any element added 20 the soil which
it does not need subjects the farmer
to unnecessary expense.
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