The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-09-22
plSPosiNo OF STueBLE.

DISPOSiNo OF STueBLE.
Crsmation In Case Of Grain stubbls Pref
0 srasls 70 Old-Fsshionsd Burial.
Farmers must decide in time wheth.
or they will burn the stubble in their
fields or turn 1t under. Many have
advocated the latter course, chiefly
for the reason that ~ much Of the
products Of the soil should be returned
to it as possible in order to keep up its
fertility. They state that much Of the
once productive land in this country
has become impoverished BY the an
nual removal Of crops and by the neg
lect to return any thing to the soil
which produced them. As the stub
Bile Of small grain, fax, grass and
clover was produced from the soil they
argue that much advantage will be
gained by returned it to the source
from which it came. They also state
that the mechanical as, we'll as the
chemical condition Of many pieces of
land can be improved by blowing un-
der the stubble that is on it As an
additional reason for blowing under
stubble, instead of burning it. they re-
fer to the great danger Of the spread Of
fires kindled for the purpose of burning
over grain and grass fields that are to
be plowed. a1 4a,it A,.,-,ol op.
Many OF the arguments made in
favor of blowing under stubble are not
good. The mechanical conditions of
very hard, clsyey land may be i'm
proved by incorporating stubble or
even sand with it. The stubble would
render it less compact and more easily
operated on by the atmosphere. 1t Is
true. however, that the conditions of
sandy and other light soils would be
injured by incorporating light SUBJ
stance like grain stubble with them.
They are already too loose. Moisture
passes through them in too short a
time to be Of much benefit to growing
crops. They become quite dry within
few hours after heavy shower in
the summer. They can not endure a
protracted drought. There are very
few Of the elements of fertility, as the
term is generally used. in the stubble
Of grain, fax, grass or red clover. II
contains scarcely any nitrogen, which
is the most valuable fertilizer. 1t cen.
tains some potash, lime, silica and
phosphorus, but these will be restored
to the soil whether the stubble is burned
on the surface or buried at some dis.
lance beneath it. They will be most
available for plant growth if the stub
BILE is reduced to ashes. If the stubhle
is buried it must have time to rot be-
fore they can be appropriated to plants
A very large proportion OF stubblt
of all kinds is carbon, which is o.
course destroyed by fire. But there
are few soils in the West that are de
ticient in carbon. Many Of them con
tain larger amount of it than is bene
fetal to cultivated plants. Especial,
/ is this the case on the black prairies
i They produce very tall straw that j
easily blown down by high winds. Tn
; dangers resulting from fires in stub
. ble-feld are greatly oversestimated.
4 good judgment is exercised prope
precautions are observed, and suitabl
day is selected, no danger need be an
ticipated by burning field of stubble
Flames will not run fast il fires ar
started on still day. They may
prevented from extending beyond tn
. field that is to be burned over by pillow
ing few burrows on the sides of i
q A dry stubble-tield near grain an
!. straw stacks and farm buildings is
! constant source of danger. 1t is liabl
" to be set on fire by accident when tn
Q wind is blowing and when it is impol
n sible to extinguish the flames. Burr
It ing the stubble in field at a suitabl
n time tends to secure safety from fires
), 1t is precautionary measure dictate
= by prudence and good judgment.
: When the stubble in o field is burne
r many insects and their eggs are d,
}. stroyed, and most of the seeds Of weed
II on their stalks or on the surface of tn
$ ground are consumed. 1t is niue
. easier to pillow field when the stubbl
n has been burned off. The pillow is MOI
s readily moved. is not liable to clos
d and does better work. The like is tru
a OF the harrow, cultivator. grain dri
d and corn-planter that are so frequent
: used in the same field. A layer of dr.
II stubble under the soil turned by tn
v pillow is unfavorable to plant growth j
d case the season is dry. 1t affords
o good place for field mice and otht
e vermin to live and multiply in. Wit
r the stubble is generally buried til
9 seeds of many noxious weeds which,
= they do not terminate the next season
}. will retain their vitality and sprol
q when they are brought nearer to- tn
d surface of the ground by subsequer
: plowings That better crops al
r raised on land where the stubble W,
II burned than where it was plowe
1t under is now generally conceded /
70 farmers who have tried both methot
n of disposing of it. Droughts have mao
o many converts to the doctrine of or
10 nation as applied to stubble. Mar
10 state that the only good crops the
n have are on ground that was burn.
le over before it was planted. Chica.
l. Times.
1T Dishorning Calves.
~ u =