The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-28
The Philosophy of Soil Culture.

Nearly all tillable lands naturally have
large quantities of the elements of fer
tility in them, but continued cropping is
sure TO greatly reduce the supplies of nj
trogen, phosphoric acid and potash which
are the first to give out. writes Prof.
II. e. Ven Deman. The time will come
sooner or later when they will have to be
replenished. Stable manure contains all
of them, but there is rarely enough of it
on a farm to supply the needs. BY SOW
ing clover COW peas, etc, and blowing
them under about every three years,
enough nitrogen may be obtained for moth
ing. but the seed and the labor. This
Is the most costly manure of the three
Dried blood, slaughter-house refuse and
nitrate of soda are good sources from
which to get it, If it is necessary TO buy
1t. Phosphoric acid may be had cheapiy
in the form of acid phosphate rock and
dissolved bone.
Potash, which is one of the most needed
of ALL can be had very cheaply in mu-
rate of potash. sulphate of potash and
kainit. The two former, are, however,
far the richest in potash and there is
saving in freight and handling.
Stable manure makes humus and so do
clover and other soiling crops. tou of
clover, dry, is worth fully $40, to the land
when plowed under and the same is true
of COW pea fodder. Their benefits can
scarcely be recalled without a trial. by
blowing under a good crop of enc or both.
With a soil thoroughly enriched, as just
Indicated, the equally important matter
Of blowing and tillage should be as fully
understood and carried into effect with all
possible care. Flowing is dore to looTen
the soil; to make 1T sponge like so il W II
hold plenty of moisture end admit the
air Simply turning over the furrow slice
1t not enough II should be stirred and
81 nd ~ he
cannot be done when IL is wet as stirring
then viii only make it more compact.
Plow and re-plow; harrow and re-harrow;
roll and re-rol until there seems no pos
siblity of getting the soil any finer. AS
10 the depth of blowing, that depends upol
how far it is TO the unstirred subsoil. Do
not expect to pillow more than an inch or
Two in one year below where he pow has
already been Gradually deepen the loose
soil by successive years Of deeper plow-
ing until it is as deep as possible. The
thicker and finer the sponge CT mellow
earth and humus, the more water ii will
hold against drought to come. No amount
of, after cultivation will make up for the
lack of proper preparation before planting.
And now as to tillage. The common
notion Is that it is for the purpose of
killing weeds. While 1t is necessary that
they should be killed and thorough tillage
will do IT, vet there is a far more potent
lls
moisture in the soil Without moisture
nothing can grow. The roots must have
II constantly within easy reach. Upon
the supply in the soil the entire structure
of tree, plant or vine depends for the
water to fill every tissue from the tiniesC
root to the topmost leaf. The leaves. ond
to some extent the bark. exhale moisture
while the roots absorb 1t. The fertiliZing
elements also depend upon moisture in the
soil to dissolve them and act as a nc
dunn by which they may be carried inio
the circulation of the sap. No matter
how rich the soil may be. without water
la virtue cannot be felt by the growing
crop. Lack Of sufficient moisture is often
the cause Of the failure of fertilizers to
prove beneficial The same principal holds
good with regard to the natural fertility
OF the soil.
And here Is just where tillage comes in
to help make the crop, provided there have
been sufficient rains, or In case of irIi-
CATION sufficient water has been applied
to the soil. the frequent stirring of the
top soil keeps the water below from es-
Gaping, except through the roots of the
growing crops. There is constant ten
dency in the pores of the soil to bring
the water to the surface. as the sunshine
and winds evaporate Il and carry II away
The cultvator, harrow or any instrument
that will finely puverize the soil breaks
up and destroys the upper ends of these
pores and thus Interrupts the passage
OF the water The finer and dryer this
top soil Is made the more perfect is the
interruption, This Is the most important