The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-09-16
to the soil which produced them.

to the soil which produced them. As
the stubble of small grain. fax, grass,
and clover was produced from the soil
they argue that much advantage will
be gained by returning 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 under
the stubble that is on it. AS an addi-
tional reason for blowing under the
stubble, instead of burning it, they re-
fer to the great danger of the spread of
fires kindled for the purpose of burn
ing over grain and grass field that are
to be plowed.
Many OF the arguments made in
favor of blowing under stubble are not
good. The mechanical conditions of
very hard, clayey land may be improv-
ed by Incorporating stubble or even
sand with it. The stubble would rem
der 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 sub
stance like grain stubble with them.
They are already too loose. Moisture
passes through them in too short IL
time to be of much benefit to growing
crops. They become quite dry within
few hours after a 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. flax. grass, or red clover. 1t
contains scarcely any nitrogen, which
is the most valuable fertilizer. 1t con-
tains some potash, lime, silica, and
phospherous, but these will be restored
to the soil whether the stubble is burn
ed on the surface or buried at some
distance beneath it. They will be most
available for plant growth if the stub
BILE is reduced to ashes. If the stubble
is buried it must have time to rot be-
fore they can be appropriated to plants.
A very large proportion OF stubblc
of all kinds is carbon, which is of
course destroyed by fire. But there are
few soils in the west that are deficient
Ill cdIUOu. Mdiy VI IHcii CoIild'u q
larger amount of it than is beneficial to
cultivated plants. Especially is this
the case On the black prairies. They
produce very tall straw that is easily
blown down by high winds. The dan
gers resulting from fires in stubble-
field are greatly overestimated If
good judgment is exercised, proper pre-
cautions are observed. and a suitable
day is selected, no danger need be an
t.cipated by burning over field of
stubble. Flames will not run fast if
fires are started on a still day. They
may be prevented from extending be-
You'd the field that is to be burned over
by blowing few burrows on the sides
of it. A dry stubble-field near grain
and straw stacks and farm buildings is
a constant source of danger. 1t is liza
BILE to be set on fire by accident
when the wind is blowing and when it
is impossible to extinguish the flames.
Burning the stubble in a field at suit
able time tends to secure safety from
fires. 1t is a precautionary measure
dictated by prudence and good judg-
ment.
When the stubble in field is burned
many insects and their eggs are de-
stroyed, and most of the seeds of
weeds on their stalks or ON the surface
of the ground are consumed. 1t is
much easier to pillow field when the
stubble has been burned off. The pillow
is more readily moved, is not liable to
clog, and does better work. The like
is true of the harrow, cultivator, grain
drill, and corn-planter that are so fire.
quently used in the same field. A layer
of dry stubble under the soil turned by
the pillow is unfavorable to plant growth
in case the season is dry. 1t affords a
good place for field mice and other ver-
min to live and multiply in. With the
stubble is generally buried the seeds OF
many noxious weeds which, if they dc
not terminate the next season, will re-
tain their vitality and sprout when they
are brought nearer to the surface OF
the ground by subsequent plowings.
That better crops are raised on lands
where the stnbble was burned than
where it was plowed under is now gen.
orally conceded by farmers who have
tried both methods of disposing of it.
This year of droughts has made many
converts to the doctrine of cremation
as applied TO stubble. Many state that
the only good crops they have are on
the ground that was burned over be-
fore it was planted. Chicago Times.