The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1895-07-26
Soil Moisture.

moisture is receiving considerable atten-
tion. 1t is interesting to note the Varl-
Gus sides from which such subjects are
approached. and the various conclusions
reached, depending on the writer's point
of view. Such dlversities are TO be OK
pected, and graat good on the whole
comes from such exchange of experience
and opinions; for although each secs the
subject from his own side, this inter
change of views makes each somewhat
conversant with the subject as whole.
This fuller acquaintance he would never
get by his own unaided experiences.
1t is from earnest, intelligent obserya-
tlon and discussion that the Advancement
of farming interests must come. So
we may expect only good from the dis
cussion now occupying so much space In
agricultural and country papers upon
the subjects of irrigation, conservation
of moisture and etc.
While the subject of how to supply
plants with the proper amount of moist
uro is one as whole, takes as many
phases rs the different persons handling
1t. I here are, in fact, many distinct
factors that go to make this one general
result. A proper and full treatment Of
the subject would include all of them
but IT Is often convenient to classify and
to deal with one at II time. One writer
thinks only how to get water on the soil.
lie is inclined to say that all we
want is water. Another thinks that
the preparation Of the soil is the all i'm
plow deep, thus preparing u deep bed
of earth to hold the water and the plant
food and give the plano roots room to
expand and amplyfy, so that the crop
will have o large area from which to
draw Its supply in time Of need. An
other would strive by methods of culti-
walton to retain any water that falls
upon the soil of his fields, or that may
be put upon 1T by irrigation. He OBJ
serves the loss of water from throwing
up the fresh earth to dryiug winds by
deep cultivation, and the evident dis
tress of plants from this cause, and from
having their roots disturbed and broken
at a time when under the most favora-
able opportunities the plant ia sorely
pressed to sustain Itself No doubt
there is much in what any of these may
say on this favorite theme; but all should
be considered together. The question
of how to save moisture in soils, and at
the same time, If possible bring the soil
to the condition that excess water does
no damage, is far broader In It's applica-
the soil.
There are many sections where irri-
CATION will not be practlced, where rain
fall is usually sufficient for the needs of
crops, but which suffer at times How
to econOmize In the use, or rather waste,
of the water In the soil when such times
come ois an important coslderation.
Methods of preparing soil and of tllage
that Will serve to keep the soil in the
best condition are then of great value in
all sections-in those where rainfall Is
generally sufficient, and In those whero
irrigation must be resorted to. But it
would seem to be Of greater Importance
where water In soil stands for an outlay
of money or labor, or both. Where wa
ter has cost nothing, but has fallen
from the clouds, one may be excused for
letting it escape In wasteful ways, per-
haps, but certainly no such waste can
be afforded where water costs some-
thing The water In either case should
be made to go as far as possible in grow
ing crops. Deep and thorough opening
Of the soil is first requisite In many
soils. But here discrimination must be
used. Close, compact soils will repay
opening up, by the subsoil plan If need
be. On some soils green manuring or
applications of well rotted barnyard
manure would be useful in improving
the texture, to say nothiag Of their ef-
fects as a fertilizer. In seasons like this
the harrow should closely follow the
plow Soil thrown up roughly dries out
rapidly and becomes cloddy. The har-
row or the roller and leveler should be
used at the close of each days plowing.
The difference In the loss of water from
soil thrown up roughly by the plow aud
from that which has been narrowed and
plauked is certainly considerable, al
though have no figures upon the sub
ject. Surface tillage at tho time when
crops are suffering most for water will
serve to red loss by evaporation.
These methods are all being urged for
adoption by men who would improve
their farm practice They have been
abundantly justified by experience in
practical experiments. We may conf
dentially expect that as greater study is
given to soil physics because of the
prominence it is assuming In irrigation
investigations, our knowledge of how to
save the water OF our soils will be great
ly increased, and that the importance
of such measures will be so fully demon
strated that none willquestion it.-Prof.
G, Ii. Fialyer.
Balfour Is in appearance one of the
most indolent men in public life in Eng
La nd tgrh In, r.f 81