The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-08-12
COVERING FOR THE SOIL.

COVERING FUN 0OAASs
Farmers cannot control the rainfall,
hut they can at least mitigate the 81
fects of drouth to certain extent ny
the proper preparations and cultiva-
ton of the soil. 1t is a well known
fact that when the soil is Kept IN :
loose. fine, friable condition 1t not
only absorbs moisture from the atmos,
1here, especially at night, but allows
of the downward course Of the water
during showers instead of loss by
flowing off. as is the case when the
surface is hard, says writer In an ex'
change. A loose, deep soil also per
mits an upward tendency Of water py
capillary attraction, the loose soil thus
storing moisture by it's greater powers
of absorption when rains are album
dant
We therefore find, in time Of severe
drouth, that the frequent use OF the
cultiyator, even when the soil appar'
emily does not require working, Is very
beneficial, the green tinge OF the grow
ing corn giving evidence that the CON
slant stirring of the soil enables the
crop to derive certain proportion OF
moisture that it would not otherwise
obtain. The leaves of plants give OH
moisture very rapidly. When we
sprinkle a plant with water the mois'
ture is not absorbed by the leaves. as
many suppose, but it arrests, tempo
rarily, the rapid evaporation that con-
stantly takes place, which is greatest
when the season is very warm. We
may safely compare a growing plant
to a pump, which brings the moisture
from below and discharges it from the
leaves. The moisture is collected by
the roots, which spread in every d.
rection,A and the amount of moisture
given off in day by plant, as corn,
for instance. is very great.
We cannot, of course, water a field
of corn, but we can at least lessen the
amount OF water which 1t gives on.
The warmer the soil the more active
the plant in search of moisture.
Among the agencies used for assisting
to retain moisture IS plaster, which
absorbs moisture to certain degree
from the atmosphere. ANY material
that serves as mulch will impart
great benefit to the growing crop, not
only by preventing the evaporation Of
moisture from the soil, but also by
keeping the earth COOL, The only
method known, however, for securing
the largest proportion of moisture is.
as stated, the deep, constant, thorough
pulverization of the soil. J-r-.o >,
There is another ract to be consid-
cred. Weeds and grass also give of
moisture, and every weed that grows
by the side of a plant intended for
cropping deprives the desired plant of
moisture. Sometimes the weeds or
blades Of grass require more moisture
than the plant and fourishes while
the plant dies. Clean cultivation,
therefore. prevents the robbery of the
plant of moisture by destroying weeds
and grass. As two plants Of the same
kind growing together are rivals, the
one struggling against the other for
supremacy in procuring food and mois-
ture, We should be cautious not to
have too many plants to the hill.
When danger occurs during drouth,
as happens nearly every Summer. the
rule should be to thin out every plant
that can be spared in order that the
stronger and more thrifty may have
better opportunities to mature A
clean surface and deep tillage will
often save a crop that otherwise
might be lost during dry season.
Farmers Guide.
SWELLED LEG TREATMENTS.