The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-04-09
Why Does Cultivation Of the Soil Pro-
mote Plant Growth, and to what
Extent Gan Cultivation Oontri-
butte to Such Growth

This paper was prepared by
Philip Harris of Center township,
to be read at a meeting Of Pomona
Grange to be held in Millville on
Friday, April 10th. His illness
will prevent his attendance, and
the paper is therefore published
here. ED.
There are several reasons why
the cultivation of the soil will pro-
mote plant growth. First. in order
to cultivate the ground, it should
be we'll plowed or dug up, which
makes the ground loose or mellow
in which the roots of the plant may
penetrate freely without much effort.
The same as a person shoveling
ground where it has been dug or
plowed, and then trying to shovel
where the ground has not been
dug. In the first case it does not
require much exertion or strength
to shovel the ground where it is all
worked up and loose, but where
the ground has not been worked
for SOME time it becomes solid and
hard, and almost impossible to
shovel it.
Second. By cultivating t h e
ground between the plants or what
ever is planted, the weeds will all
be destroyed thus leaving all the
moisture and nourishment to the
crops planted instead of dividing
between the weeds and plants, for
the weeds would be sure to get the
biggest share of moisture and nour-
ishment from. the ground if left
alone. Third, by cultivating the
ground soon after a rain, it stops
the ground from drying out, thus
holding the moisture which the
plant needs for its growth.
Now. in preparing the ground
for planting any kind of plants,
such as strawberries, cabbage, &c.
il person will go about it in the
right way and at the right time, he
need not fear drouth, in order tc
get good stand of plants to grow.
Just as soon as the ground is dry
enough to plow, get right at it and
plow and harrow the ground as fast
as it is plowed, make it just as fine
as it can be made before the GROUND
has dried out, and it will then holc
the moisture right there for days
or weeks, so that it can be planted
any time until it rains. If there
should happen to come rain ant
not all planted, the ground should
then be narrowed or cultivated
again as soon as dry enough which
will stop the evaporation of the
water in the soil, and thus hold the
moisture for the plants.
Where the soil cannot be cult
waited then mulch will answer the
purpose in part Of cultivation. L
will also prevent evaporation of the
water in the soil, keep the sol
loose and mellow and thus give the
roots Of trees &c. nourishment anc
a chance to grow. Now what crop.
should be cultivated? All crop:
and fruit trees should be cultivated
some time. Wheat, Rye, Oats
Buckwheat &c. cannot be cultivated
after they are planted, but the
ground should be we'll cultivated
and prepared before planting. Corr
and potatoes should be we'll cult
waited, both before and after plant.
ed until with potatoes the tops are
full grown, and with corn, the
plant is too big to get through be-
tween the rows without breaking
too much of it off. Strawberrie.
should be we'll cultivated the frs
year, and then mulched in the
winter. Ground should not be cul
tivated the second year until thu
crop has been gathered. If fyou wan
another crop it can be cleaned ou
and cultivated again.
, Raspberries want to be cultivated
Well every year, before and ate
the berries are harvested.
Of the tree fruits the peach need
more cultivation than any of tn,
! other fruits growing in this part O
the country. The ground shoulc
S be cultivated before they are plant
ed and after planted should neve
be allowed to get into sod, bu
should be cultivated every year a
n long as you expect peaches.
# An apple orchard should. be cul
r tlvated the first ten years. BY tina
time, ii the ground has been prc
perly fertilized and cultivated, tn
trees ought to be of SIZE larg
enough to bear a good crop of fruit
It After that l think if the proun
L would be top dressed with manur
Il or some good fertilizer every coupl
,, OF years, s,cultivation might cease; bu