Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1900-03-10
Campbell's Soil Culture.
lContfnued from last week.I

WHEN SHOULD THE WORK BE DONE?
Plow early as possible, whether it
be spring or fall.
Fall plOwing is preferable, and
should be done as soon as possible af-
ter the crop is removed The pack
er should follow as close to the
pillow as possible. The packer leaves
the ground firm at the bottom and
loose at the top. This is as iu should
be. But an ordinary shower will dis
solve and settle down this surface
mulch and make 1T firm. This must
not be allowed to remain firm, or the
moisture will soon all escape by evap-
grafton. Especially is this true if
the weather after Gle shower he hot
or dry; therefore, after every rain,
no matter how light the rain may lie,
go over your plowed ground with a
harrow to restore the soil mulch, or
dust blanket. \ fine sprInr-tooth
harrow is the best. as it, leaves the
mulch loose and more perfect.
One or two cnitivations should be
given fall blowing before it freezes
up, whether it rains or not The
moisture thus saved in the fall is Il
reserve to be drawn upon next season,
and moisture is money to the western
farmer. Never neglect to cultivate
after every rain. Remember that
three important conditions must ex-
ist To obtain the best possible results:
First-Good depth of plowing, to
increase the moisture reservoir.
Second-A thoroughly fined and
well-tirmed Subsurface. to form per-
feet root-bed; much depends upon
this.
Third-A constant and perfect soil
mulch, to prevent the evaporation of
moisture.
TREATMENT DURING THE GROWING
SEASON
The following instructions for cul-
tiyauion during the growing season
applied to the cultivation of all crops,
small grain, corn and potatoes.
Go over the groud with the surface
cultivator once in from four to seven
days.
Immediately after every rain lose
no time in stirring the dust blanket
with the surface cultivator. OF
course, in case of a very heavy rain,
cultivation must be delayed until it
is no longer muddy, but delay no
longer, for it is immediately after a
heavy rain that evaporation is the
most rapid. By careful test as high
as one quart of water to the square
foot has been known to leave the soil
in one day following a heavy rain.
Let the cultivator teeth run to the
same depth throughout the season.
Two inches is the proper depth.
When the weather is verv hot, or
when hot winds blow, cultivate as
often as possible; every three or four
days is none too often.
Never use the cultivator with long
pointed shovels.
Stop cultivating wheat when the
blossom appear. Oats should be cul-
tiyated until we'll headed, unless they
cover the ground so as to prevent,
corn, potatoes, and vegetable during
their entire period of growth, and all
crops with judgment, bearing in mind
the purpose of the cultivation-to re-
tain moisture by stopping evapora-
tion.
Do not disturb the roots when they
have once formed. You will do this
il you cultivate deeper at the subse-
Quent cultivation than you did the
first time over. Get the right depth,
and keep it. The destruction of the
roots is nearly as serious as the loss
of moisture, in a sense the same, for
Itlessens the supply of moisture to
the plant. and thereare certain times
tat the forming of the head or filling
of the kernel} that slight check in
plant food would very materially de-
crease the yield.
Keep the dust mulch perfect. Don't
let the crust form on the surface
Don't let the crust remain il it does
form. Don't let the dust mulch get
settled down. Keep it loose. Keep
the cultivatorS going.