The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1907-10-24
ADVISES DEEP FLOWING
Special Agent Knapp Writes of Fall Prep
aration of Soil

aration of Soil.
Every farmer understands the
soil conditions necessary for sue
cessful truck patch or garden
which are in the main as follows,
to-wit: Deep breaking (plowing)
soil thoroughly pulverized-
plenty of humus, vegetable mould
or barn-yard manure and good
drainage. These conditions are
just as essential for the farm.
The deep breaking for field crops
should be done in the fall, and
should not be less than eight inches
deep-ultimately the progressive
southern farmer will try to average
ten to twelve inches.
The objection is urged that to
turn up SO much poor soil at once
will ruin the land. 1t is not roposed
to turn it up till it has been aired
a few years. The way is to use a
common turning pillow run at the
usual depth; then in the same fur
row run a second pillow, trifle mar
rover, Just behind the first plow,
using another mule or span of
mules. If the first pillow cuts four
inches deep, the second should cut
four more, making eight in all. If
the land will permit, cross pillow
four inches deep thirty days later;
then harrow. In dry sections the
harrow should always follow the
pillow. Of course cross blowing
is not admissible where ridge cul-
tivation must be followed.
A better method than the double
blowing above described is to use
sub-soil pillow or a disc pillow, as
neither of these implements throw
any sub-soil to the surface and sub
soil stirring with one implement.
The air penetrates as deep as we
pillow. The deeper we pillow the
more plant food is prepared by the
action of the air and more moisture
is carried in soil to withstand
drouths. Deep fall blowing then
is great aid in storing moisture
and in warming the soil for early
planting. Where there is winter
frost, deep blowing increases its
effect on the soil.
A thoroughly pulverized seed
bed is long way towards a good
crop. On heavy soils the roller
and disc harrow are almost indis-
pensible to crush the clods and
pulverize the soil. If this is done
four or five inches deep, so that
the young plant can get a good
start with reasonable after care the
crop is assured. A clod is like un-
plowed-it holds little moisture
and yields scarcely any plant food.
The best of seed has little chance
in a poorly prepared seed bed. A
finely pulverized soil aids ger
mination, increases the amount OF
plant food available, stores more
moisture and is more readily pen
etrated by the air and rays of sun.
Even granite rock, if thoroughly
pulverized, will support vegetation.
A third requisite OF good
preparation of the soil is to have
plenty of vegetable matter in it.
This is generally secured by turn
ing under cowpeas, or green crops
of any kind, or using leaf mould
or barn-yard manure. Vegetable
matter makes a soil porous, fri
able. easily worked, resistant of
drouths. This vegetable matter,
called humus, absorbs and retains
the food prepared in the soil by
the action of air and heat, and
gives it off to the plants as re-
CURED. 1t warns the soil, adding
frequently several degrees of heat,
and it facilitates the condensation
of moisture from the atmosphere in
dry periods. More vegetable mat
ter is especially important where
the texture of the soil is so fine as
to prevent the free circulation of
water, and water stands upon the
surface or in the soil so long that
it is an injury to plants.
One of the most essential re-
quirements for success in the pro-
duction of field crops is drainage.