The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1899-01-05
FOR THE FARMERS.
Some Interesting News for the
RuraIist
SPOKEN CT IN THIS COLUMN.
a Few Rsnsibls Hints to Suit the Busy
AErioultariSt.-Items That Nay
BsneGt cur Rsadsrs.
Campbell Method of Soil culture.

Campbell Method of Soil Culture.
A new system Of soil culture, origi-
mated and developed by II. W. Camp
bell OF Kansas, is attracting much at
tention from farmers throughout the
United States Mr.. Campbell's farm
is located in the extreme northwest
county of Kansas, and in the center OF
the semi-rainless region of the Rocky
Mountains. He has for several years
been conducting experiments upon his
system on over forty different farms
and in at least six different states OF
the arid region.
In the Rural Californian for Septem-
Der S. A. Merrill had an article on this
Campbell system. Mr.. Merrill writes
that he regards the Campbell system
as the greatest advance ever made
toward true system OF soil culture, and
that he is doing everything in his
power to place it before the public in
its true light. He claims that, when
once adopted and carried into prac-
tice fully and fairly by the people OF
the State, it will be worth untold mil
lions. Mr.. Merrill, in the course OF an
article in the Rural Californian, above
referred to, says:
Too great praise can hardly be ac-
corded to Mr.. Campbell of the long
stride he has made toward originating
and practically demonstrating a system
Chat already contains within itself so
many of the conditions of that univer-
salty that will finally adapt it to the
wants of agriculture everywhere. TAX
ing his clue from few hints from ma
ture, and from the old practical farmer,
he has come forward at once reformers
in the agricultural systems of the
world. If he who makes two blades
of grass grow where only one grew be-
fore, is to be adjudged as a public
benefactor, Mr.. Campbell, who has
done even more than that, and has dem
onstated the way for others to 60 and
do likewise, certainly deserves to be re-
garded in that light. He has not only
established a rational and easily APP
piled system for others to follow, but
has distinctly pointed out the law by
which nature herself operates, law as
perfect and more easily demonstrated
than gravity itself and quite as prolific
if not more to the future welfare of
the human race"
The following description of the
method is from report OF the office of
the Nothern Pacific Railroad Company:
The Campbell method consists in a
complete Encouragement and pulveriz-
ing of the top seven OF eight inches of
soil, and turning it as nearly bottom
upward as possible. The plant food in
the soil is found at the end OF each sea-
son very largely concentrated in the
top four inches. This plant food must
he plowed down into the bottom of a
furrow seven or eight inches deep.
From this depth it will be placed, by
the action of moisture, just where the
little feeders of the plant roots want it.
Immediately after blowing, the lower
four inches of the furrow-slice must be
packed as firm as possible, for four i'm
poTIdllL reasons.
"First-To completely oblterate all
cavities. Where the furrow lies loose.
the air circulated under the plants and
the ground dies out. 1t must not be
permitted to do this. 1t is ruinous to
the crop.
"Second-To cause moisture to
gather from six to eight inches from the
surface. Why? Because the stubble
and manure and other vegetable matter
is there, and water is necessary to rot
1t and fit it for the food of the crops.
Unless this is done, the plants are
robbed of their most valuable food.
Third-To get the right conditions
for rapid root-growth in the early part
OF the season. For this fine, firm.
moist soil must be had. The lower
part OF the furrow-slice is the root-bed,
and must be kept in just the right con.
dition If we are to get rapid and
vigorous root growth.
"Fourth-By firming the root bed
we hold more moisture. More than
this; The pores in the ground are
made so small that the water Greens
through the soil readily by the force
called capillary attraction. BY in
creased capillary attraction moisture is
drawn more rapidly and from greater
distance. This gives the plant food
and drink at critical times, when the
weather is hot, when the hot winds
blow, and when the evaporation from
the leaves is greatest. Your crop
never suffers at such times if there is
plenty of water for the roots. But a
shortage OF water at that point may
ruin your whole crop in a day"