The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-10-29
Drourhts md Eertiliir-


DrouGhts and Fertility.
The recent drought has been the
means of leading to considerable dis
cussiOn as to the best methods of miti-
eating the effects of dry periods. and
before the present century passes it
is probable that drought will no long
or be the dread OF farmers. Nature
however, never does anything but for
the best, and If droughts are consid-
cred from all standpoints it will be
found that there are some compensa-
tons for the damage inflicted. An ex-
cess of moisture carries away from the
soil large proportion of the soluable
matter. The sea receives daily an
immense amount of wealth from the
soil that does not return. as the fish
cries do not reclaim but a small frac-
ton of that which is lost The con-
slant draining away of plant food
would soon impoverish the earth, but
Tor the manures and fertilizers an
pied, and although the loss of fertili-
" from each farm may be small. yct
1t Is large when the entire surface of
the earth is considered. The rains
however, also dissolve and carry down
INTO the subsoil some of the plant
FOODS, and rs the soil is largely com
posed of mineral matter. which is no
ing dissolved 10 certain extent at
all times, wherever the solvent (water)
goes, the dissolved mineral matter
goes also. The subsoil itself is also
rich in the mineral clements. such nc
potash, soda, lime magnesia, phos-
phates, silicates, sulphates. chlorides
etc. If the rain does not dissolve the
mineral matter Immediately il does
later, as it becomes charged i'm tho
SOIL with carbonic acid from decom-
posing vegetable matter, and it then
has the power of dissolving some of
the materials that are not soluble i'm
pure water. The deeper the cultiva-
ton of the soil, and the better il is
drained down in the subsoil. the low
er the soil moisture descends and the
more mineral matter is dissolved.
When the soil moisture is sufficient
me plants thrive, but as the water is
cNaporated from aOOve the moisture
from below rises, through capillary
attraction, and when the surface is
very dry the dryness extending deem
INTO the soil, the lower moisture-tbot
IS the suDsoil-endcavor to find its
way to the surface. This soil moisture
IS saturated with the dissolved minor
al matter, and brings it UP on its Dass-
age TO the atmosphere, dcpositing it in
the SOIL in proportion as evaporation
occurs Nature thus provides a wav
Tor restoring to the soil the mineroI
elements taken from the surface ana
carried down into the earth. But fo,.
TINS reclamation of the soluble miami
foods the most fertile soils would soon
DC exhausted, and it is a fact that tho
soil is richer after drought thon he
lore. This mode of saving the farncr
from total loss may not be to his
satisfaction, as he sees only his pres
ent loss, but ne would be much poorer
II the plant foods carried beyond his
reach were never returned 1t is not
intended here TO advocate the advan-
tages of drOughtS, but until man dis
covers some mode for escaping them
without losing that which is indispen-
sable to his existence the drouth is In
ms favor Even the most approved
methods of irrigation will not better
his condition until the loss OF plant
foods is arrested. Irrigation. how
ever is practiced only where rain does
not fail in excess, and where Che
farmer can also control his dry periods
as well as his moisture.
IJTpUulfe upa fyo.Ift.,- ra.-....-..
they can control the supply OF mois-
lure BY deep blowing ana careful
preparation Of the land an abundant
supply of moisture can he stored I'm
the lower soil. This moisture VIII
come to the surface as soon as inc
upper soil becomes dry. The farmer
can permit 10 90 come within am inch
or two Of tie surface and then ebrt
on 'hc supply, by scaling the TOPS Of
the capillary tubes, which is done by
covering them with dry dirt These
tubes arc not made with dry. loose
earth, but If the dry earth becomes
wet from rain. so ass To- compact il
the water from below can then uaes
through capillary tubes ana como
through. 10 is necessary. therefore
TO- cover the tops of these tubes after
every rain. This is done by ,iuplv
culuyatiug the soil to- tine dcptb of
one or two inches, just enough to
loosen the top soil. and bring the mois-
turc us close to the surface as pogsi.
Die. in a manner so as not TO break
tho roots Of the plants. This soil
moisture from below will contain
large amoun,s OF plant food which She
rains dissolved and carried down. and
as long as ii is not allowed TO escapc
ii provides both food and water. Tho
farmer who only gives his corn GER
tain number Of workings" without
regard 20 conditions. must abandon
his rule and work after cach raip
The weeds will then he kept down bo.
cause the moisture they require ifs be.
low the dry soil. If the ground is
well prepared before the seed is pIapt.
ed. SO ass TO form a storchousc. or ros.
crvoir for moisture. ana tho topeol
kept loose $50 as TO- form aa oartb
blanket for preventing cvaDoraror
droughts VIII bc OF benefit lu br.rr.uo
from below ho various plant foods
existing below The surface sgl-pbu..
duIUIfn Fnauf.I