The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-04-30


The loss Of fertility from the soil oc-
ours In various ways, but the charac-
terlstics of soils have much influence
on the loss. and something also de-
pends upon the kind of manure or fer
tilizer used. One result of an inquiry
regarding the mineral fertilizers used
at the Rothanisted experiment farms.
in England, is TO show that neither
potash nor phosphoric acid when pres
ent In excess of immediate require
ments, is liable to escape from the soil
or TO sink to depth beyond the reach
of plant roots, and that II such should
happen the quantity would be very
small. When barnyard manure is used
both the potash and phosphoric acid
contained in the manure have been
found TO descend in more liberal guam
titles, and to n greater depth into the
subsoil, than when applied in the form
of fertilizers. The excess phosphoric
acid and potash derived from super
phosphate and potash salts respective
ly accumulate in the first nine inches
of the soil. but are less soluble than
yard manure. The accumulations of
phosphoric acid are less fixed, but, and
consequently more available, when al
kallne salts have ben applied with su-
perphosphate, and II Is also the case
that potash salts are similarly affected,
in beneficial sense, when there are
accompanying applications of phos-
nh nj
has. therefore, been demonstrated that
the loss from the soil is not as great as
has been supposed. and that the soil
has the power to retain the larger
share of soluble plant foods near the
surface. II it is not exceedingly porous.
During the entire year the amount
of water which falls upon a field is
very large. and soluble substances are
consequently dissolved. especially as
the actual amount of water used by
crops. compared with that which falls,
is small. The rains would soon de-
plete the soil of its soluble mineral
matter but for the power of the soil to
retain potash and other substances.
For that reason some soils are more
soils are more easily carried away tnan
potash or phosphoric acid hence II is
possible that the loss in the form of
nitrates may be large, especially dur
ing very wet weather When the soil
is dry. evaporation brings to the sur
face some of the nitrates carried down
by the rains. and growing crops also
by appropriating the plant foods. 1t is
well known, also. that some soils alb
sorb gases from the air, hence some of
the ammonia lost from the soil is re-
covered in that manner. and the pow
er of ordinary land plaster 10 absorb
gases has enabled some farmers to
gain fertility TO their soils by its use;
while ammonia is largely brought
down by rains to the soil. the result
being that il Is converted into nitric
acid. In the soil there is large and
abundant supply of plant foods, but
they do not exist in forms which per-
init of their use except in limited sup
ply. This is provision of nature to
prevent exhaustion of the soil, for IL
tlt pldll lbONS III lht SUI Wtlt t'loliy
rendered soluble the soil would long
ago have been deprived Of them. But
they are In the soil. and ready for use
when demanded but the soil will not
give us these foods except wnen cer-
tain natural laws have been complied
with, and even the farmer cannot rob
the soil by taking therefrom more than
fair proportion unless he pays the
cost OF so doing to an amount which is
really prohibitory to certain extent.
When a farmer eXhausts soil by ex-
ccssive cropping and without return
ing something as compensation there
for, he simply deprives the soil of its
soluble portions, but even the poorest
soil will have LETT. for future reserve,
its vast stores of insoluble plant foods.
Philadelphia Record.