The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-08

nature takes up the process just where
sun and rain and frost have left 1t. Some
form of scanty vegetation comes then more
decay, then more plant growth, more de-
cay, until finally the broad forest with its
deeply rooted sources of nutriment, its an
nual leaf-fall, finally turns barren rock
dust into fertile soil. This is natures
method of manuring. 1t is thus that the
available plant food from deep underly-
ing layers of subsoil are brought to and
concentrated upon the surface.
But trees and deep rooted plants not
only pump from below vast store of al
ready soluble plant food, but they are
directly concerned in its increase. Even
the most tender rootlets, from the acids
which it secrets, is able 10 bore its way
into the disintegrating fragments of rock
and thus liDerate and bring to the surface
nutriment, which would otherwise remain
securely locked up. In this way vegeta-
Bile life becomes the active instrument of
its own increase. 1t will thus be seen
that when left entirely to natures handi-
work the tendency with all soils as to
constantly improve
The more closely we follow nature
ways in our methods of fertilization, the
more certain we are to be on the right
track. A soil covered with vegetation
whether growing crops or grass or even
weeds, is, other things being favora BILE,
of vegetable growth either by blowing or
otherwise, is either stationary or retro
grade in fertility
The old plan of Summer Fallowing' as
a preparation for fall crops is, therefore,
| an essentially faulty method. The disin-
tegrating effect of sun, rain and atmos-
phere are apparent enough and the fol-
lowing crop may be abundant and seem
ingly remunerative. But ii is secured at
| the expense of permanent soil fertility.
Humus the most precious of all soil con-
stttuents, is to be sacrificed, while from
the absence of roctlets to absorb it, there
| is always danger that some portion of the
soluble liberated food will be carried away
| by drainage or mechanically removed by
| heavy rams.
Artificial fertilizers in the hands of an
| intelligent planter will not be used mere
| ly to obtain single crop. Everything
should be directed with reference to per
| manent soil improvement. Remembering
| what has been already said to the role
which vegetation plays in nature ss1neth-
cd of manuring, it viii not be at an diff
| fcult TO combine the two. All progressive
| agricultural authorities are noE urging
| the use of clover, COW peas and other sim
liar leguminous plants, heavily fertilized
when necessary with potash and soluble
phosphates as the only practicable plan of
securing simultaneous soil and crop i'm
provement
Fall fertilization is. of course, often adj
| visable in the case of fruit trees, and in
the Lower Gulf states, where winter gar
dens are practicable, it is, of course, i'm
perative. Indeed, the earlier these things
are attended to, the better the results. If
| the progressive hort.culturst has taken
care 10 have his ground covered by a
/ heavy summer growth of COW peas or
| some other equally effectual gatherer of
nitrogen and humus, he occupies a dis
tinct vantage ground. The problem OF
fertilization is greatly simpli1ed. lie can
probably stop buying nitrogen and pay
out his good dollars for phosphoric acid
| and potash. Neither of these fertilizins
elements are likely to waste and after the
summer rains have ceased the sooner he
gets them Incorporated with the surface
soil the better. For this purpose a har-
row is superior to a pillow and some form
| of light cultivator better than either.