The herald., 1895-06-09
Facts and Theories Lucidly
Presented for the Benefit
and instruction OF
RanCherS
EDITED BY $, NJ. WOODBRIDGE. rn. D.

1t is nearly four years since the people
OF Southern California were told that
they could get no practical benefit from
an analysis OF their soils as to the plant
foods that their crops would require.
1t was then maintained that the only
scientific way of ascertaining the needs
OF their crops was Ito put the question TO
the soil and get the answer IN the crop
that this could only be done by putting
on the elements that all soils sooner or
later become deficient in, viz, nitrogen.
posphorus and potassium, singy, uoibly
and all three together leaving portion
OF the field without any fertlizrs, taking
care of all the lots alike, harvesting the
crops separately and comparing the guam
tity and quality Of the fruit from each
plot.
For advocating this method. the direct
or of the California Agricultural Expert
ment college, criticised us severely, end
ing his article wherein he condemned the
method by saying: 1T is high time that
those who claim to be agricultural chem
lists and to instruct farmers in regard to
their needs should uivest themselves OF
the pre- iudices imb bibed under the int1u-
ences of old world teachings and grapple
with the problems OF agriculture in new
country in conformity with the new con-
ditions presented to them.
Under such opposition from the direct
or of our experiment station. 1T was ex-
tremeiy difficult to get any one interested
in test plots. and those who made the tri-
ais started them i'll half-hearted way,
not havilg,much faith in getting any
practical results. Not one OF the gentle
men approached on the subject but could
talk 'sol ANALYSIS and believed that
by that method he could get an insight
into the needs of his crops.
At the time these field tests were first
1. al, NTnsl
Hilgard was advocating the use of nilro
gen, on account, as he stated. OF the ana
lytical test, which showed the extreme
scarcity of humus in our (mesa) soils.
Since then the professor has discovered
that although there is scarcity OF hui
mus in the soils as compared with the
soils of the east. vet that the humuS here,
although deficient In quantity, has
many times more nitrogen than the
humus found in the soils elsewhere. He
has therefore changed his position, and
instead of advising the use of Chile salt
peter when the crops begin to fall
short" he is advising the use of phos-
phates ION the ground of this analytical
indication"
The following is taken from a recent
lecture by Professor Hi!gard;
Phosphate fertilizers should. in the
majority of Riverside soils, be among the
first things used, according to experience
of both Europe and America Just what
connection the experience of Europe ana
America at large have to do with this
soils OF California the professor did not
point out" The natural presumption is
that there is less phosphoric acid in the
soil than lime and potash we need to add
the phosphates before the others"
In 1893 the professor advised the trial OF
potash 'solely and alone" to see if it
would benefit the crops. His exact
words were: "Try it simon pure, and
not mixed with phosphates and nitrates
in a complete fertilizer or else his test
viii amount to nothing"
What makes oranges puffy" How
can we make our oranges sweeter?' were
questions that were asked of Professor
Hilgard at the farmers institute held in
Riverside in March last. The answer of
the learned professor was, Don't ask
conundrums!
This much for what practical and def
mite results have been obtained from soil
analysis.
While our director has been mentally
monkeying with the foolish, Intricate and
incomprehensible soil analysis, it will be
seen by the tables below what systematic
procedure OF test plots has mathematical
ly demonstrated.