The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1906-10-15

be done in southern CallfOrnla 10 re-
store the lost fertility of the soil Will
have to be done in our orchards. 1t
is we'll for us to be forewarned and
prevent the deterioration of our soils
by the using up of the nitrogen. We
ought not to wait till the loss of this
important element of fertility causes
us a loss in our crops. This condi-
ton is sure to come, and by using
legumes we can prevent it and keep
up the fertility of our orchards and
thus save a very material loss IN our
incomes AS stated in one of my
notes we can buy nitrogen in the
shape of nitrate of soda, or in other
forms, and sometimes it is advisable
to do this. One man, as | stated, said
he could afford to spend one dollar
per tree annually on his Spltzen-
bergs if he could get such crops OF
these apples as he formerly did. so
if any one finds his orchards are de-
teriorating in vigor, he can buy COM
mercial fertilizers and get immediate
relief. In such cases it might be best
to buy a fertilizer containing not only
nitrogen but potash and phosphorus
as well, for no soil can be considered
properly fortified unless each or
these is present in available form.
The most costly of these three ele-
ments is nitrogen. While we may buy
nitrogen at first we need not continue
TO buy it. for we can provide for a
nitrogen factory right in our orchards
by growing some of the legumes.
The nitrogen we can get by growing
legumes does not cost a cent. VINO
would buy anything at big price II
he can get it for nothing? TO some
if NAV not seem clear how we can get
the nitrogen from these leguminous
plants for nothing. Does not the SEED
cost something, and the labor OF SOW
ing and blowing under? Certainly,
but we get other benefits worth good
deal more than the cost OF seed, ana
labor and that gives us our nitrogen
free at least. What are these pene-
fits? In certain cases or under Ger
tain conditions we may grow crop
of hay that will be worth more IMAM
the cost of production. This Will not
be desirable, as rule, IN our Or
chards. Then if we cut the crop 1or
hav we will be taking off some OF the
potash and phosphorus and not return
inc any of it, There is no crop thal
we can grow that will return any more
potash or phosphorus than we take
ont of the soil. These elements OF
fertility are not in the air as is the
case with nitrogen. If we use them
I'm we must return them in stable or
nou1trv house manure or buy them as
commercial fertilizers. There will be
thnca elements
fertility in subsequent issues.
The best thing to do in raising le-
gumes in our orchards is to leave the
nroduct in the orchard. This can be
done by moving the crop ana ping
if around the trees and let IL rot. his
is advocated by number OF enter
prising fruit growers and there Is
much to commend the practlce. IN
stead of doing this we may ploW or
disk the tops of the legumes INTO the
soil. In doing this we are STORING
ND nitrogen from the root CROWNS ana
we are returning the potash ana phos,
phorus to the soil. The reader Will
remember that Prof. Piper in his Valu-
able letter spoke of humus in connec-
ton with nitrogen gathering.
What is humus? 1t is decomposed
organic matter. This organic matter
NAV be either animal or vegetable.
Hence. Webster's definition of humus:
"A puiverent brown substance formed
by the action of air on solid animal
or vegetable matter" The humus with
which we have to do in raising leg
umes is, of course, vegetable. Inc
humus then that we can put into the
soil is decayed vegetable matter. lts
presence may always be detected by