Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-07-23
SLoTH AND DILIGENCE.
Intensive Farming, II Prosecuted Intelll-
gently. Productive of Hest Results.

Intensive Farming, II Prosecuted Intelll-
gently. Productive Of Hest Results.
Working a soil on both sides is statei
to be plowing the frost.disintegrated
surface down to where the roots can
get at it. Eight inches IS stated TO be
correct in the case OF potatoes. But
eight inches is very deep plowing If
measured against the land side of the
furrow; quito correct, however, in what
has been called intensive agriculture,
for special crops, as potatoes and other
tubcrs. bulbs and garden crops gener-
ally il always in connection with heavy
manuring. In general agriculture oX-
cessiyely deep plowing Is an exploded
swindle, except IN peculiar soils and
situations. AS to its feasibility, every
farmer must decide for himself New
ertheless, upon the question Of working
a soil on both sides there can be no
doubt as TO the value. IL Is the action
OF the air, heat, moisture and frost up IN
soil that unlocks It's inherent fertility,
and also continually adds fertility from
that great reservoir Of plant fund. the
atmosphere. This may easily be under
stood when we reflect that all things
perishable ultimately find their way
into the atmosphere, to b. again and
again returned to the earth In this
light a SOL kept permeable to air and
moisture is constantly being recupcr-
ated, while a soil hard or sodden loses
its natural share. The air-laden fertil-
ity passes over the land of the sluggard
to enter that OF the diligent plowman
and cultiyator.
A summer-fallow works the soil on
both sides By keeping IL mellow and
permeable to the air. IL also destroys
weeds and thus renders the soil clean
aud free Of weeds. Yet naked summer
fallow ng Is now but little practiccd,
and for this reason: that il is now well
known TO thinking and reading farmers
that a shaded soil gathers fertility fast
er than one exposed to the sun. Never.
theless, those farmers who raise wheat
year after year, endelvor 10 plow
the soil two or three times from
harvest time TO the next seeding,
and thus accomplish two ends; they
XII the weeds that OtherWis. would
soon swamp the wheat sown success
svely year By year, and also add some
what to the fertility by the thorough
disintegration given, while by the weeds
turned under the soil is till further en-
richel. The practice, however OF rais-
ing wheat after wheat, so surely de-
pletes the soil thai sooner or later the
soil, however rich. most surely sue
cumbs There Is no intensive agricult-
ure except the intensity with which
this system Of farming eventually loses
money.
The farmer, however. who IN q rich
soil raises corn year after yeaf and feeds
{ TO cattle and hogs by clofn cultiva-
ton may o considered az intensive
cultiyator lie certainly works the soil
on both sides, and this system OF agrl-
culture may 20 on indefinitely without
serious depletion. The whole crop Is
in this case returned 10 the soil. save
the flesh OF the animals. This small
proportion may again be received from
the air In rain and dew, II the manure
is saved and applied 10 the soil. This
may be called common senFe farming
IN all those rich districts OF the West
distant from market where a more d.
yersilied agriculture may not be 90 prof
ital ly carried on as near cltifs. II may
indeed be called intensive farming II
supplemented with a large proport on
Of meadow aud pasture TO carry the
stock all the year round. chi ago
Tribune.