The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1884-08-16
Precautions Against Drought.

While we can not influence tho rain.
iall we can, at least. mitigate the effects
Uf drought TO a certain extent by the
proper preparation and cultivation Of
the soil. II IL y vol known fact that
when the soil t. kept in II loo o, fine fri
able condition il not onlyabsorbs moist
urr from the atmosphere, ospc ially NJ
night, but allows the downward course
of the water during showers instead Of
a loss by flowing on, ~ IL the case
when the surface Is ha d. A loose,
deep soil also permits an upward te1-
lrncy OF water by cap larry attraction.
the loo g soil thus storing moisture by
it, . eater power Of absorption when
rains are abundant We therefore find
In time OF severe brought that the fro
Qucnt use Of the cultivntor. ev"n when
the soil apparently does not require
working, Is very beneficial. the greenish
lingo Of the growing corn giving evil
lnec that the constant stirring Of the
soil enables the crop TO derive y certain
propnrt on Of moisture that II could not
otherwise obtain.
The leaves of plants give oil moisture
very rapidly. When we sprinkle n
p ant with water the moisture is not alb
,nTbcd by the leaves, as many suppose.
but 1t arrests, temporarily, the rapid
evaporation that constantly takes place,
which IL greatest when the season is
very warm. We may safely compare u
grown plaut To n pump. which brings
the moisture FROM below and dis.
char - II from the leaves. Tho moist
iurc Is collected by tho roots, which
spread in every direction, and the
amount Of moisture given OF IN n day
by u plant, u corn. for instance. IL very
great. We cau not, Of course, water q
iicli OF co n. but We can nj least lessen
The amount of water which / gives OF.
The warmer tie soil tho more active the
plant IN setrrh of moisture. Among
the agencies used for o. i,tibg to retain
moisture IL plaster, which absorb.
moisture 10 a certain degree frnm III,
atmosphere. Any mater al that servei
a. q mulch will impart great benefit q
. growing crop. o only by prevent
'ng tho evaporation otmoisturr from tn,
sol, but also by keeping the earth cool
The only method known. however. foI
$ securing the largest proportion o
moisture is. as VIZ stated. the deep. con
slant aud thorough pulvcri;atiUn Of th'
soil.
There Il smother faat 10 be considered
Weeds aud grass alsu give or moisture
nul every weed that grows by the sid'
oi a plant iutcndd for cropping dc
pivcs the desired plant ~ moisture
Sometimes tho weed or bla 10 Ot gras
requires moro Moisture than the plant
an ! fOurishes. while the plant dies
Clean cultit aii0u, therefore. prevent
tho robbery II the plant of moisture b,
destroy NJ weeds AMI grasA A lwl
, plants Of the Same Kind growing %
gothcr arr rivals. the one strugglin!
aga nsi the other for ~ rrmacy IN rru
curing food aud moisture. we should b
cautious not a. have too many plants q
the hill. II danger occurs durln,
|. drought thin out every plant tha, ca
b. spared in order that the slruugc
aud more thrift, NAV have better uppol
, tunitic, 10 mature. A clean sur.ac
and deep tillagc will often save n Gro
, that would otherwise be lost during
/ dry season. --IhtidtcipAit Record