Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-22
The Strawpile
Soil Moisture and Humus.
Like Stock World.

Soil Moisture and Humus.
Tive Stock World.]
In order to produce ton of dry hay
on an acre of land it is necessary that
the growing grass pump up from that
acre approximately 500 tons of water
In order to supply this enormous
quantity of water, the soil must not
only be in condition to absorb and hold
water well, but it must be porous
enough to permit water to flow freely
from soil grain to soil grain. The pres
ence of large quantities of decaying
organic matter (humus) adds enor-
mously to the water-holding capacity
of the soil. One ton of humus will alb
sorb two tons of water and give 1t up
readily to growing crops. Not only
that but the shrinkage of the particles
of decaying organic matter and the
consequent loosening of soil grains
keep the soil open and porous.
Furthermore, humus of good quality
is exceedingly rich in both nitrogen
and mineral matter plant food. The
maintenance of fertility may almost be
said to consist in keeping the soil we'll
supplied with humus. The first step
in renovating worn-out soils is to give
them an abundant supply of humus OF
good quality. Perhaps the best source
of humus is stable manure containing
both the liquid and the solid eXcre-
ment, especially when the stock are
fed rich heterogeneous foods. Even
poor quality of barnyard manure,
which has had much of the plant food
leached out of it, has considerable
value because of the humus 1t makes.
Another cheap and valuable source
of humus but one which must be USED
andingly, is crops grown 70
turn under as manure. The legumes
are especially valuable for this pur-
pose because of the nitrogen they con-
tain, but other crops such as rye, ana
even corn sown thick may sometimes
be made to supply large quantities OF
humus of fair quality. Crops thus used
are called green manures
Practical Feeding Methods.
Peter Karnowski, big cattle feeder
of Senaca, Kas., recently sold at the
top of the Chicago market hfty-nlne
head of 15O3-lb. steers which had been
on feed for 1876 days. They were
Shorthorns and Herefords. and aver
aged at beginning about 1,150 lbs. Dur
ing the summer and fall they ran on
grass until Oct 1, 1905, and were fed.
shelled corn and bran to date of sale.
Tn getting them onto feed they were
begun with shelled corn fed lightly and
gradually increased. For roughage
they had millet straw and mlllet nay.
The steers were fed in a lot 20X2O
rods, located on side hill so that the
water was drawn off and IL ana not
get muddy. For shelter they had some
timber on the north side of the lot Two
hundred and fifty hogs followed the
cattle.
Mr.. Karnowski says: success de-
pends upon how much care is taken OF
the stock during the feeding months.
No profit can be made unless cattle are
looked after constantly and attention
paid to their needs.
Good shelled corn makes meat faster
than any other feed. Feed no salt, but
every other day sprinkle little salt on
the shelled corn. Some clear corn must
be fed to the hogs; the cattle Will not
sustain them alone. / have now 250
heavy steers on full feed in the same
lots. being fed the same way. and will
be ready in about two MONTHS
Farm Notes.
Rings in hogs noses are no more
needed in these enlightened hog days
than are hog tanners. proper variety
of feed and ample pasture of the right
kinds of grasses and few indeed are
the hogs that will root.
The skim milk has the highest feed
ing value when it can be returned to
the barns or pens clean and sweet. The
hand raised calf or the pig does not
relish sour, clabbered or dirty milk
much more than the average human
being. But they drink it because 1t is
often a case of necessity.
The old COW has a yearing DISPOSE
ton. this time of year, to spend a
good share of the time scratching her.
self If is COW nature to do this. If
she has been provided with good
stout rubbing post in the COW lot, she
will soon discover what 1T is meant for
and take the greatest satisfaction in
using it.
Procure an old machine shaft of suit
able size and length for crowbar.
Have one end pointed as an ordinary
crowbar, and the other drawn out thin
about two inches wide, slightly
curved and ground to an edge. This
blade-lille end is particularly useful
in removing boards or tearing down
buildings. With it the nails can be cut
or the boards pried off with little dam
age.
Too radical cross breeding is one of
the greatest of curses when it comes
to improving our breeding cattle.
Stick to the purpose for which you are
breeding cattle or else sell out and get
a fresh start.
Ample moisture is all right-indls-