The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-05

measure. determine the temperature.
moisture and winde, ETC.. which are
contributing factors in the making OF
climates.
A study Of the life history Of plants,
and animals shows that there Is q wide
difference in their genera ana species
in different climates. These nxeo
natural conditions largely determine
the genera and species of the nora and
fauna of any given latitude. Many OF
these are staple commodities In COM
mefce, being extensively used for food
ana clothing. 1t therefore follows that
the different climatic conditions are
essential to the growth and matnte-
nance OF different staples and In this
w>y each Of the several climatic areas
has its own peculiar plants and
animals. which constitute the principal
ana standard crops in these several
climatic areas. For example in the
southern States, cotton; in the North
western states. cereals. in some Of the
Middle and Middle Eastern States, to-
bacco. AS contributory factors, how
ever, soil ana other conditions play an
important part. r
Climatic Conditions.
''Therefore, one of the things to be
learned by scientific farmers are the
principles underlying climatic condi-
lions that he may adapt his industry
suitable to those conditions fixed by
nature.
other conditions primarily determin-
ed by natural processes, but which are
nevertheless more or less susceptible Of
modification by art are the soil and
moisture. Soil Is not a natural ele-
ment or compound. On the contrary,
1t represents the changes effected in
rock caused by atmospheric conditions
resulting in the decay or decomposi
ton Of the rock. the product OF which
decay or decomposition constitutes the
soil. The chemical or elementary
constitution OF these rocks differ and 1t
necessarily follows therefore that there
are differences IN the chemical or ele-
mentary constitution of the soil and
also In its physical character. The
rocks providing soil are sandstone.
limestone. shale, basalt and granite.
Each of these has in its constitution
either as an element in the compond
entering into its formation or mixed
with its physical constitution. elements
of an entirely different nature from
the essential constitution of rocks.
Among all these minerals are es-
sentials for the growth of plants and
constitute what are called plant
foods prominently among them be-
ing phosphorus. nitrogen and potash.
The decomposed or decayed rock itself
being incapable of feeding plants and
the fertility of the soil being depen-
dent upon the presence of plant foods
which are in turn dependent upon the
minerals found in the rock, 1t neces-
sariiy follows that the soil resulting
from different varieties of rock diff
fers in lite chemical constitution and
also in Its physical character. 1t fol-
lows therefore that some soils are
naturally richer than other soils in the
essential foods for plants. Plants
themselves differing In their physical
texture and chemical constitution, 1t
necessarily follows that certain soils
are best adapted for certain plants and
that the best results are obtained only
when the most favorable conditions are
supplied for a given genus and species
of plant.
"A correct understanding of these
principles is absolutely necessary for
the propore selection of manures or
what has been improperly called fer
stilizers.' The purpose of manuring Is
to supply the soil with those elements
necessary to the growth of plants and
in which elements the soil Is naturally
deficient. 1t follows. therefore, that
the farmer should be familiar with the
different varieties of soil. the form OF
rock from which II was derived and the
chemical constitution of these rocks
and. therefore. of the soil. He should
also be familiar with thesdihasencei iE
the soil that remains in stu. when
formed from the rock. and the made
soil which has been removed through
the fundamentally of water and de-
nOsited in other placeR.
Constitution Of soil.
with a thorough understanding OF
the chemical constitution of the soil
of the essential foods for the different
kind Of plants, he Is enabled to sup
plement the soil. where necessary. with
the particular manure OF known ehemf-
cal constitution. which fills the de-
hciency of the essential food material
in the soil. The physical constitution
of the SOIL the unit OF which is a grain
and which grain may be large or small
primarily dependent upon the rock
from which 1t was formed, and
secondly upon the artificial conditions
wrought by cultivation, etc. is always
important as a factor in the growing
of plants. The two essential soils
separate and independent from mineral
presence, are clay and sand. The
grains of the former are very fine
while those of the latter are, in com.
parison. large.
TT therefore follows that the prosi-
| ty of the soil will be determined by
| its texture. which latter depends upor
| the size of the grain. The grossei
| the texture of the soil. the larger the
spaces between the grains. and hence
affords a better means for the passage
Of water. The finer the texture tht
| smaller the spaces between the graini
| and, therefore. the greater difficult,
| for the passage Of water through I'll
] texture.