Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-04-28
Chemistry of the Soil.
ADDRESS BY C. W. CAvANAU6H AT A
FARMERS INSTITUTE.

Address by c. ". Cavanaugh on tn,
Chemistry of the Soil" He spoke o
the selection of fertilizers for different
soils. He said the commercial fertilizers
contain nothing that is not in the soil ol
stable only in different form. Chemica
analysis does not tell the needs of the
soil as well is experiments in growing
plants in it. The amount of humus il
TIE soil indicates the amount of nitrogen
in it. This humus is exhausted by cul.
tivation and we must supply humus tC
the soil by stable manure or plowin.
under green crops.
These should be the main source o
nitrogen on the farm. HumuS also in
creaSeS the water holding capacity of thl
soil. The cheapest form in which tn bu,
phosphoric acid is South Carolina rock
if the soil needs phosphoric acid. If the
stalk or woody part of the plant makes
small growth it indicates the lack of phos
pho cic acid. If the soil contains potash
that is unavailable, this can be unlocked
by the use of land plaster. Clay soils
usually contain plenty of potash.
The following questions were asked
and answered at this meeting.
What would you cover silage with?
Mr.. Cook: do not cover my silOs, there
is little loss but not enough to pay for
covering. We tread the surface as firmly
as possible and there will be less loss ii
the ensilage is cut finely.
What is the best way to kill poverty
grass?
Mr.. Cook: Probably the only way is
cultivation and the rotation of crops.
What is the value of whey and how
can we get the most out of it?
Every 100 pounds of whey contains G
pounds of solids. The whey should be
rsed before it gets sour to get the most
out of it,
Will it pay person who has had three
years experience in butter factory to
take short winter course in dairying AT
Cornell?
Prof. Cavanaugh: 1t is the experience
of those who have taken the course, that
ii is the greatest value to them and they
would not lose the knowledge that they
obtained there for hardly any considera-
ton. IL has been the means of making
some of the best butter and cheese max
ers. It's a good opportunity for the
young man and may help him to good
position.
Would you advise using soap on milk
strainerS?
Mr.. Cook: No, use sal soda.
When is the proper time To plow for
corn?
Mr.. Witter: My practice is to plow
in the first part of May, this for my local
ity, for then you get the warmth given
out by decaying sod, especially with the
clover sod. This fermentation aids the
corn to make better growth. l plow
only fro'l ! to S inches.
What would you do for a COW that
holds up her milk?
Mr.. Cook: | would get rid of her if it
was habit with her. Mr.. Witter ex-
pressed the opinion that it depended on
the temperament of the cows and that
if nerN Gus cows were excited in any way
while milking, they could not help it.
Can milk be thoroughly pasteurized
without changing the flavor?
II. Z. Cook: Pasteurizing will in Il
degree improve the flavor of the milk,
especially winter milk that has not been
well cared for.
How can we clarity milk for the city
delivery?
Mr.. Gould: The only way is to keep
the stable clean and have plenty of sun
shine in it. Strain the milk well and
cool down to 40 degrees. Don't use a
cloth strainer more than two days, burn
it up.
What shall we feed with skim milk to
make the best ration for pigs?
Mr.. Gould: have seen good results
from feeding middlings with skim milk
and l would put in very little corn
meal.
What is the relative value of shredded
corn fodder and ensilage?
Mr.. Gould: The shredded corn fodder
is about equal to timothy hay. 1t lacks
the succulence of the ensilage.
Will rape fed to cows affect the quality
of the milk?
Mr.. Cook: 1t will. would not grow
it to feed to cows but it is good for hogs
and sheep.
What will prevent COW from leaking
milk?
Mr.. Cook: l do not think it can be
prevented by any operation that is safe.
-UOard'S Dairyman