The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-29

arc numerous, but the chief one is
/ that the plant roots grow near the
surface in g wet season and suffer
from lack of moisture much sooner than
would deep running roots. Another
NAV be found in the fact that continued
rains pack the soil, thus Fastening evapo-
ration of moisture. 1t is in view of the
possibility OF dry weather this summer
that we urge the most thorough and per-
feet tillage. Unless the top soil is kept
fine, loose and free from weeds any drouth
will reduce the possible crop yields at
rapid rate. Careful experiments by the
New York station warranted the following
conclusions for the soil upon which it was
made, and they deserve practical applica-
ton to our own conditions:
l. Keeping the surface of the soil
stirred, if only to the depth OF half an inch,
increases the water content of the first
twelve inches to a very appreciable de-
gree.
.. The deeper the tillage, at least up to
four inches, the greater is the increase in
the water content.
3. The rate OF increase diminishes as the
depth increases.
4. A slight mulch exerts far greater
influence in retaining water than tillage
four inches deep.
for lysimeter in the latter part of August
is appropriate here, as showing the depth
to which surface tillage affects the water
contents of the soil. The excavation was
made on dry ridge, in order to escape
bottom water, and on one side it reached
into the corner of a plat that had been
plowed in the spring, but upon which no
crop had been planted, and which had not
been cultivated during the summer The
soil II was necessary to remove was verv
dry and hard, except beneath this piowed
portion, where il was so much moister and
softer that the labor of excavation was
very materially reduced. The influence
continued to be noticed 20 the depth of
at least two feet
Crop Items.
The preliminary report Of acreage of
oats makes about the same breadth as
last year, the state percentages consoli-
dated making an average for the whole of
99.l. There would have been a larger
acreage but for the fact that the season for
planting was distinctly unfavorable in
many portions olthe Ohio valley, whence
the contemplated increase was prevented
by excessive rainfall. The condition of
the crop is considerably below the average
OF June returns for a series of years, but
is three points above the report at the
same date last year. The general average
is $50.
the first return of acreage of rye shows
breadth very slightly smaller than last
year. In Pennsylvania and Illinois.
states having large acreage. there is a
slight falling off in the breadth, but the
loss there is practically made good by an
increase in some other districts, notably
in the states west of the Missouri river.
The total area as compared with last
year is returned at 992. The re-
turn of condition makes the general
average 81. |, or the lowest reported since
1887, and with two exceptions the lowest
since 1879. The same general conditions
which have affected wheat have operated
to bring about this average. Condition is
lowest in Ohio, Illinois and Missouri and
somewhat higher in the states where it is
planted as a spring crop.
The breadth of barley shows an increase
OF % per cent. over that harvested last
year. The increase is general in almost
all districts were grown, in spite of the
fact that the crop last year was the largest
ever harvested. The increase is most
marked in those states where the bulk of
the crop is raised, except in New York,
where there appears to be a slight de-
crease.
The total breadth of clover varies little
from that Of last wear, though there has
been considerable change in the compare
tive area OF the different states. The
winter and spring were distinctly I'M
favorably to old sod in the Ohio valley
and portions of the upper Mississippi val
lev, winter-killing and an unfavorable
spring which interfered with recovery,
causing the breaking up of considerable
area