The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-14
others disaster. : ~
Key to the Problem

otners disaster. - ~xs
Key to the Problem.
From a study of soils, it becomes
clear tnat the key to the problem lies
| on each acre. This water fall Is an
| asset OF great possible value; saved if
turned where it will do good, lost if
| permitted to run away, doubly lost if
II carries away also soil that, on the
average in our domain, crops can use
to profit all the rainfall during the
growing season and much or all of
tnat which can be carried over from
simplihes the complex problem, for the
highest crop values will usually be
gained when the soil is made to abb
serb the largest part of the total rain
IaH and snowfall. In securing this.
there will be the least runoff and sur
race wash Obviously, then, the high
est solution of the problem by the
| tiiler of the soil essentially solves the
whole train of problems.
How is this control to be effected?
All the known and tried methods of
preventing wash and turning the rain
fall into the soil should be employed
| to the utmost. It is obvious that all
methods of culture and all crops that
Increase the granularity and porosity
| OF the soil contribute to the end sought.
| Deep filth to promote soil granula-
ton and deep-rooting plants to form
root tubes are specific modes of great
preventing waterlogging and promot-
ing granulation aids the end sought.
Contour cultivation by arresting and
distributing the surface wash may also
assist Alternate strips Of protected
and cultivated land, reservoirs for
catching and distributing concentrated
rainfall, and other devices, serve to
limit the wash of the slopes and give
the surface waters the right direction.
Natures Methods.
1t is possible that some of the more
radical and permanent remedies will
De found by a closer study of natures
methods. Nature has been working at
this complex problem of balance be-
| tween soil formation. soil waste. sur
face slope. plant growth, and stream
| development, for millions of years.
Looking closely at her methods we
note that she uses much larger
variety of plants to cover and protect
the soil than we do. These plants have
special situations where protection is
needed. We may therefore inquire
whether we should not follow this
precedent further by developing more
kinds of profitable plants and by using
the protective varieties more freely on
slopes especially subject to wash. The
present profitable forest trees are a
resource of this kind to be employed
to the utmost. We also have many
shrubs, vines and fruit trees whose
employment on wash areas is urged
both alone and in conjunction with
trees.
Another of natures marked meth.
DDS is the use of plant soc1erIes OF
combination crops. No doubt there is
much crowding and repressive rivalry
among natural mixtures of plants, but
are mutually beneficial. Can MOI
!, greater advantage be taken of the
combination method? 1t is clear thai
legumes and cereals are helpful asso
ciates In rotation and in some com
binations. May not the principle b.
pushed much further by the modern
processes Of selection and culture, 81
that legumes and cereals could b,
} made more intimate companions il
cultivation-indeed,s so that such help
full associates might replace weeds a
the spontaneous companions Of tn
crops we cultivate? Certainly mucl
{ can be done by using such plants a
fan, winter and spring crops. to cove
) the soil when specially exposed t,
wastage. These and similar device
may be used to reduce the bare sur
: faces so much developed by presen
modes of cultivation, and may max
it possible to cover permanently b.
profitable protecting crops the slope
, where surface wash is most menacing
! Can such modes of soil management
and crop selection be made to Civ,
reasonable profits when the longe
stages, say the long run Of lifetime
, are considered? This must be an
: swered by those whose knowledge O
!, the practical art of tillage fits them t,
, answer; but it is clear that If sucl
! protective measures are not profitabl,
!. now, they will soon become So for i
! the loss Of soil proceeds at the presen
: rate and the number of inhabitant
] continue to increase as now, the valu
of the residue of tillable soil which will
> remain after a few centuries will be 81
Z great as to force extreme measures TO
1 its conservation. The pitiable strug
giles of certain Oriental peoples to re
I, tain and cultivate the scant remnant
$ of once ample soils is both an exampl,
e and a warning. Our escape from sucl
/ a struggle should spring from longe
e forevision, a deeper insight, create
!. skill and indefatigable industry.
!, CHEAP LUMBER.