The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-29
Deep or Shallow workings Light
Soil,

1t depends greatly upon the nature
of the soil to what extent deep break
ing of it is either essential or desira-
BILE. What may be necessary on a stiff
clay soil, granting that it is rich
enough to justify cultivation may be
altogether out of place on loamy
soil that is almost entirely sand. The
deep blowing. in the way of cultiva-
ton, that may be just the thing on
soil so clayey and waxy that it runs
together after every heavy rain might
and usually would be almost fatal on
soil that has so much sand and humuS
in 1t as to render it freely porous. On
soil of the latter character the danger
to be guarded against is keeping it too
open and loose after the plants begin
to throw out their roots. There must
be a certain compact condition of the
soil particles to meet the best condi-
ton of growth. especially in periods
of continued dry weather. The anna
teur gardener and farmer has the idea
that it is almost impossible to have
the soil loose and open enough for the
best growth and that the best time to
plant is just after the soil has been
fully loosened up with pillow or spadins
fork and while it is in the condition OF
a pile of ashes or Woodsearth just
turned out of barrow or cart He
would plant or sow his seeds, If posi-
BILE, before the soil had been slightly
compacted even by one rain. A misap-
prehension of the facts-of the per-
forat ting power of roots and of the
most favorable condition of soil for
root development and extension has
caused from first to last many, many
failures to secure the best result,
where a better knowledge of the facts
would have helped to secure it.
The roots of some plants have the
perforating power almost of steer
gimlet and can make their way
through a brick wall
The roots of all our ordinary Gull
tivated plants have the power to easily
perforate our light pine soil before II
is loosened by pillow or spade. Many
years ago we were led TO make some
experiments bearing upon the ques-
ton of this capability of plants from
observing a number of wheat plants
that grew on an old roadway COM
pacted by years of travel. IT was al
most as firm and compact as a city
sidewalk. Some grains, fallen along
here and there, grew up and developed
into perfect plants. tillering out as it
is rarely seen in any of our plowed
fields The growth was during the
winter (November-M ay), otherwise
there would hardly have been sufficient
moisture DeTmeating the hard road
bed to perfect a plant. As it was the
dozen or so plants matured seed
stalks ranging from 30 TO 20 each, a
growth rarely seen in the average cul-
tivated field.
Since that time the experiments have
included the making Of half acre gar
den frequently with no other implement
OF culture than the wheel hoe or garden
pillow. which is just sufficient to keep
down the weeds and secure a earth
mulch Of not more than an inch. Dis
pelElng entirely with the horse plow o.
cultlvator after the first and only
breaking Of the soil az the beginning
the hand hoe and the wheel hoe We're
all-euiiicient implements for making
ms nlmum crops Of onions. celery. spin
ach. tomatoes, Irish potatoes and many
others.
The three first named crops are espe-
ciaily made economically IN this way as
they all permit ~ being grown In very
narrow rows 30 perfection and with no
danger from trampiing. We have found
fhat onions foWnin the fan on soil only
disturbed fufilclenfiy 60 mike che drill.
and cover me HeedH. we're never injured
BY freezes Dr. January Or iater, ana al
cultivation done with fhe Whee hos
disturbing ne aoii 9uly an inch or twg
larger crops n perfect bulhf were made
fhan when ihe HCil vas pi0nea deeper
the only essentials Hff clenn sQii and
q rirh nfdi and nHfurullY liant mellow
soii
Rurh fesi allowed ~ retain Na com.