The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-19

DOuleS. 1ne luea WAS tn6L tn9 lanO "a
tired" and that inactivity for year or
two gave it better heart for the work Of
producing better crops. This old idea is
well exploded since we have learned
something of sol s, plants aud plant food.
The land was "tired''-not of WORK, but OF
trying to make crop without good ma
terial-tired OF making bricks without
straw" II is true that some land will be-
come slightly more productive when lying
bare and idle. and each year brings some
chemical change in its elements that
makes plant food available, but this item
is an inconsiderable one.
The soil is active by nature. IL it il
furnished the material and the eeed and
proper conditions, rank growth is the
natural result If land ceases to be pro-
duciive the lesson taught is that there has
bsen robbery: We have Jailed to return IL
that which is it's due. When fields were
permitted 10 lie uncultivated in olden
times they Immediately made growth of
weeds and bushes to enrich themselves
The covering made shade that prompted
the formation OF nitrates. The green
growth, when turned under the next year,
furnished humus for the coil. The sub.
soil and the air were drawn upon for new
stores of plant food. The land was not
resting" but working for itself. 1t was
a faithful servant that supplied us OF its
abundance, and then. when exhaused,
was permitted TO forage for itself as best it
could. There was no inactivity, no rest
ing.
When we learned this truth, it was seen
that 1t would paw US TO furnish the land
with such crop as was best adapted to
the rebuilding of the stores of plant food
in the soil. 1t was found that grass could
toe grown end converted into manure by
stock on fields and vet the land be per-
United To regain its strength. This is not
a fast method. but as II gives some income,
ii Is ia very general use. The shading OF
the ground. ths roots in the suDsoil and
the slow chemical changes each year
brings. all tend to renew the stores of
available plant food.
But We have found faster methods for
| aiding the soil. Ii il be given such seeds
as those OF clover, peas, etc. it eau grow
plants that are peculiarly fitted TO draw
from the air aud from the deep sub
soil beneath. If this growth is plOwed un-
der the land is ready once more to produce
| cash crops for us. 1t asks for no rests F"
| no periods of inactivity. bat it does de-
mand periods in which 10 grow such CROPS
for its own use. unless We supply its wants
IN q direct manner by app IcaIious OF sta
| BILE manure or other fertilizers. The sol.
Will feed itsef-elowly. If we abandon it.
and rapidly. ii we tit il Tor growing "a suit
able crop for itself-or we may feed il
ourselves II farmers could look on every
| field az living being, study its needs and
the best way OF supplying them, reIDem.
| herring that profits depend uDOn their
| shrew dress in feeding soils as much as in
| feeding stock, agriculture would become
a science OF high rank IN the estimation
OF every farmer.
Road improvements.
The question of road improvement is
being sgtated to degree never before
| known in this country. Millions of dol
lars are sQuandered every year in the So
called maintenance OF our highways. In
many sections there is little science and
| less good judgment used in the expend.
| iture OF the publ money. Roads are on.
| ly hall made and cash winter undoes the
previous summers work. The wator 10
not carried away FROM the sides OF the
| highway too often, and no permanent
| rOadbeds are possible without good drain.
| aye. We have patched too much aud
done too little permanent work. All thi.
i should be granted by any observer of the
public roads in two-thlrds Of the counties
| in any state.
There is, however. another side OF this
question. Permanent road beds cost. Ii
! IS easier 10 criticise presen. roads than TO
| pay for better ones The wheelmen, OF
blcycllsts. are credited with being the
| chief promoters OF the schemes for good
roads. All praise to them for the enter
prise shown, provided they are ready tc
| pay their full share OF the cost. The bills
must be paid, and tho farmers property
stands out prominently for taxation. In
| tho decision the actual tex payer should
! be prominent.
No reader will understand that we are
opposed to road improvement. Far frou
| it, Good roads are necessity b. the full
| est development of any agricultural re-
/ giOn. They enhance the price of prop
erty and make farm lie far moro desira
| BILE. Our only caution is that our farmers
| should have care that their counties are
not bonded FOR excessive amounts foI
road construction. Projects arc on foot in
| some states TINT would cost some cuun
ties millions OF dollars for permanent
road beds. Let us favor AMI help build
good roads. but let care be exercised tina,
| DO not made 80 great that taxation will be
far too burdensOme. The agitation oil
our wheelmen is doing good. hut il should
not carry any OF US beyond our depth
| What money we expand should 20 into
| the construction oil roais TINT viii last
and our makeshiit policy should be aban
| doned. but we must not expect to do al
at once, nor to incur an Indebtedness tina
will be most diificult to carry.
shoddy Ruins Wool Prices.
j. Q Nj 5 Views
TIE SENTINEL aske whether Mr. Cassiui
NJ. Clay is right when he says in regard t.
wool: Tariff don't save us il keeps GU
foreign wool of all grades and reduces tn,
same wool here TO the price OF shoddy
from abroad. Let us have no moro pro
lection" shall not argue the tariff par
OF this question only so far as to say til a
il the country will quit taxing the farmer
bv means OF protective tariffs for the ben
eft OF millionaire manufacturers OF nearl,
all goods we have to buy. we will glad,
surrender all the pretended protection thu
farmer is given IL is all foolishneas Il
talk about giving any protection to ia,
mass OF farmers in ia il agricultural coun
try. What we want is free markets every
where.
But write this TO make n suggestion
that believe important. Shoidy Is nc
more fit for use in making cloth than oleo
margarine IL for q dairyman's table IL il