The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-09-26
llA FACULTY of university is

RI A FACULTY of a university is
a required to fit one plant to its
proper locality. One man may
learn enough to cultivate the plant
after it is placed. We first apply to
the meteorologist to learn about the
rainfall That has much to do in
the selection of the plant for a To-
cality in which it can give the best
results. The plant grown in thirty
inches of rainfall acquires capacities
that would unfit it for doing its best
work in a ten or fifteen-inch rain
fall. the heat units above the point
Of termination must be considered.
All of our cereals are comparative
failures if they do not get enough
heat. The corn crop of the upper
Mississippi valley has suffered this
season for want of heat. Sometimes
the corn crop and others suffer in
many localities because of too lit
tie moisture, so we have to go to
the scientists who study meteorology
and keep records over long periods
of time 60 learn what moisture may
be expected in any given section of
our country. When these conditions
are ascertained. we go to the ex-
plorer who knows what we require
and where he is likely to find the
plant to suit given conditions. If
1t is plant. for light-rainfall state
he goes where plants have been
grown In light-rainfall conditions for
centuries to sustain heavy popula-
tions Of men and animals
Wheat. oats, rye, barley. spelt and
other grains are being introduced
from those old countries that have
adapted themselves to dry condi-
items through long periods or have
beer produced by natures method Of
hybri3ization. and have been selected
D. observing men long before school
'1er turned their attention to the
improvement of crops. Grasses. le-
g7mes, fruits and vegetables are
found in remote corners of the
earth by the explorer who knows
what he is sent for, and through
these means additional areas of our
country are brought under cultiva-
zion and hIbitations are extended
over our lighteT-Cainfall areas.
Outstanding of Water.
The outstanding of our waters that
80 20 waste where the snow .meIts
in The mountains, through govern
ment agency, is q new departure for
which we may thank President
Roosevelt All other Influences COM
bined would have failed to secure
the legislation. 1t was Il wise move
nent 1t Will result in making homes
for millions more people. Ii VIII make
markets for manufacturers and busi-
ness for commerce. II viii nelD to
balance Of the growth Of our cit
les. 1t viii result in producing the
hundred million dollars worth of
sugar we now buy abroad. II will
do an this and much more, and still
leave large areas that cannot be ir-
rigated.
After we get what We can from
the man who studies the weather and
the man who studies the plant. we
must turn to the scientist who stud
les the soil. This is a new line of
research that has utterly been neg
lected by educators and scientists. as !
far as practical application of facts /
10 everyday life Is concerned. Our /
soils are mixtures Spf original rocks |
that have been disintegrated by the
action Of agencies that nave operated /
through long periods of time and. are
sun at work. Water has been the
system and is still at work
above ground and beneath the sur
face. One Of your beautiful valleys
seems 70 have similar soils all over
It, but it is certain to have as wide
variety as the mountains from.
which the material came The school,
men have neglected inquiry into soil
fariation, soil moisture and soil COM
position, from which plants get nu-
riment. The whole field lies fallow
md awaits the coming of the stu
lent Of soils and soil moisture.
Mineral Plant Food Abundant.
You have abundance Of mineral
liant food in nearly all your soils.
They got it from the rocks and are
till getting it by water above and
below the surface. The husbandman
must see to it that atmospheric plant
ood is upplied-nitrogenou matter
hat comes through the instrument
ality OF leguminous plants and is
prepared for the plant by bacterial
gencies that cannot exist in the soil !