Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-22
SHALLOW CULTIVATION.

There is no question Of greater import
ance. connected with the future cultiva-
ton OF present growing crops Of cotton
and corn. than that OF shallow cultivation
Practical experiments. in hundreds OF nelo
tests. have clearly demonstrated that deep
blowing should be done in the preparation
OF the land 70 receive the crop. and that
growing plants should. with but few ex-
ceptions. be cultivated with light running
implements. Aside from the fact that pos
tive results have been obtained along this
line which do not admit OF argument, all
sound and logical reasoning are behind IL
from scientific standpoint. In the nrst
place nature does not intend that the
thousands OF delicate rootlets which are
feeding out I'm every direction. searching
for nourishment for the growing plants,
should be ruthlessly cut. twisted and torn
asunder BY the long steel blades OF
deeply running plOw- Nature rebels when
these tender roOtlets. the very life OF the
plants which they nOurish. are so seriously
interfered with Growth for the time be-
ing. when such Is the case. is checked.
and the time lost and the damage done
can never be fully repaired The lateral
roctiets OF our principal field crops begin
their journey through the soil I'm all direc-
ti0ns. early IN the life OF the young
plant. searching for both food and moist
ure. Within an exceedingly short time
these rootlets have grown far out from
the parent stem, and when the deep run
ming plow point comes along an immense
amount OF damage Is done. Any man who
would pause and think over the matter
seriously. would not be likely 20 do much
deep blowing after his crop was up and
growing. Ever farmer who does not live
IN the sand belt should break his lands as
deep as circumstances viii permit. but
such work should always be done before
the crops are planted. preferably in The
fan OF the year.
Holding Moisture.
One OF the great objects in spring and
summer cultivation Is 70 preserve the
moisture IN the soil for the benefit OF the
plants. Moisture Is constantly rising 70
the surface u the land and passing of
through evaporation. The moisture
passes I'D n the surface through innu-
msrabie small air cells I'm the soil, and
the vrhale process comes under the sys-
TEN termed capillary attraction. That is.
the powerful rays OF sunshine become a
magnet 70 attract ard draw up the moist
ure from the soil through these minute
pores in the eaTth's surface. The plan
then for proper cultivation. TO conserve
moisture and hold e in check. is TO culti-
Nate the land 50 as 10 allow. by capillary
attraction the moisture TO come UP from
below and cut on its final escape at the
surface as much as possible To do this,
we must leave these capillary tubes open
and unGsturbed an inch or two below the
surface Of the land. and by breaking the
top crust break OF the final avenue OF
escape At the same time a cemented
crust which has run together and hard
ened, II only for half an inch in thickness
while good thing 20 hold the moisture
below. Il prevents the proper circulation
Of the air from above downward. a vital
essential in the life and development OF
all things.
..--r-s -
air from above downwards and the moist
ure from below must be aIIowed-to come
upwards and held IN check near the sur
face OF the soil. How TO do this, and 10
do Il properly during short or long periods
Of drought is one OF the principal prob
lens 10 be solved in successful cultivation
Of crops through the spring and summer
Il can only be accomplished through the
use OF light running plows. and breaking
the surface TO the depth Of one or two
inches This system makes what is
termed mulch" OF the soils crush and
serves the double purpose Of breaking
ard cutting on the escape OF the moisture
as Il rises upward from below. ana AT
the same time insures proper circulation
OF the air above. downward. The pro-
cess IS simple and easy OF accomplish
ment. Shallow blowing. where the farm
er keeps up with his work. also insures
the destruction OF young grass and weeds
as rapidly as would deep blowing. A
great many farmers. particularly in red
land sections. have an idea that they
must pillow their crops with deep running
pl0ws until the final blowing or laying
by work Is done. This. however. Is a
great mistake and a small experiment
viii quickly demonstrate the advantages
OF shallow blowing. particularly after the
first working IL the land was not well
prepared 70 receive the crop at planting
time. as a matter OF course the ground
should be deeply broken. at first blowing
when the plants are up and growing.
Rapid Cultivation.
Rapid cultivation OF the crop with the
blow Is as important as IS the proper sys-
TEN Of cultivation. The hoe should be
used as little as possible after the plants