Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-05-06

they can never manage even in the best
OF cases, although the most efficient
deep image In n thoroughly drained
SOL enormously increases their now
ers of reproduction. Hence the need
Tor manurlng. The ingredients in soils
which have constantly to be added are
nitrogen and phosphorus, and we or
dinarily describe soil as exhausted
we really mean that these are present
In an available onodition in too little
quantity. The other essential clements
as mngnesia. lime. potash. sulphur
IRON are usually reproduced in a loamy
SOIL, naturally, fast enough to satisfy
the wants of the plants.
That soil is the most fertile which,
after proper tillage, raises the bulkiest
and finest crop. An lalluvial or drift
clay with the requisite amount of hui
mus, would be always the most fertile
soil II 1t could be without an excessive
expenditure of labor properly titled. As
things occur, the deep humus loans
are the most fertile, because they yield
the largest crops of all the readily
tillable soils. The tendency OF pro-
lonBed tillage and manuring for gem
erations, however, as has been already
remarked. is to bring all varieties of
soils ever nearer to the humus loan
type.
/. A soil OF sufficient depth and fine
texture to allow the crops to distribute
their roots freely, vertically as well
as literally. Flneness Of texture. say
A. and ID. tombstone, is necessary. in
order that the soil particles may be
sufficiently close to the young roots.
2. A well ventilated soil, 1. e., one in
which constant circulation OF air is
kept up so that the young roots can
breathe properly. 3. An efficient cir
culation of water-this nuld being one
of the most important food substances
as well as vehicle of food. Stagnant
water Is IN itself injurious In several
ways, and It prevents the circulation
of air. When water moves freely
| through soil, air follows freely. 4.
A sufficient supply Of food ingredients
in an available state. s. Absence of
more than a trace of injurious matters
as humic acids, soluble silica, etc.
j. The kind of sofia humus loan OF
fair depth Is tho best. 2. Freeness to
a fair depth. but sufficiently stiff to
| resist being blown about by the wind.
3. Rather dry tilth on top In good
weather but damp without anything
| like saturatlon below. 4. Presence of
not less than about or per cent OF
| friable or mild humus. 8. Color-rlch
| dark brown, best. G. Situation and eli
mate-the more genial the latter the
| better. A southern exposure In this
| country Is best. Land which lies on a
high slope is often very unequal In
| character Z. Native plants-a soil
which will grow good fat weeds and
| plenty of them, will grow good corn,
etc. So with hedges and trees
Comparative harrenness Is due 10
one or more OF the following: 1. Alb
sence or existence in too small proper
| tons in an available state OF some
one or more of the minerals essential
to plant life. 2. Presence of much in
| furious matter, c. g., humic acid. 8
Impervlous nature Of soil or strong
pan. which does not allow of a proper
circulation of water and air 4. Stag
nant water, or substratum Of 8. Toe
little depth in the soil to allow Of the
proper development and sustennnce o.
crops.-Britlsh Farmer and Stock
Breeder.