The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-10-16
DEEP FALL FLOWING AND
THE SEED BED.

At the commencement Of the Far
mcrs Cooperative Demonstration
Work in the Southern States it was
found necessary to outline the funda-
mental principles Of good farming
and to insist that the tillcrs of the
soil should bcc9mc familiar with
them and practice them as first
step in the bcttcrmcnt Of farm life.
We have previously stated these first
principles, bnt possibly they should
tc more fully explained.
Prepare a deep and thoroughly pnl-
verified seed bed, we'll drained; break
IN the tall to dopth Of 8. TO, or 12
1nchrS, according to the soil, with
implements that will not brin" too
much Of the subsoil to the surface.
(rhc foregoing depths should be
reached gradually.)
The presence Of heat, air, and mois-
tnrc is essential 10 chemical and germ
action in the PREPARATION OF plant food
in the soil. The depths to which these
penetrate the soil depend upon the
depth of the plowing, provided the
soil is well drained. There is no use
III plowing down into a subsoil full
Of water
1t has been proved beyond qucs-
tlon that The roots Of plants penetrate
the soil deeper and feed deeper in
deeply plowcd land. Thus, in general,
it may be stated that when the soil is
plowcd 3 inches deep the plants have
3 inches of food; when plowcd 6
inches deep. they have G inches Of
food. and when plowrd 10 inches
deep they have 10 inches Of food. Thc
fact that the bottom porlons Of the
plowcd land are not as rich in avail
able plant food rs the top portions
shows the necessity Of getting more
air and heat down to them bv deeper
tillacc
The most essential condition for
fertile soil is constant supply Of
moisture, so that Il film Of water can
"nvcl"r the soil particles and absorb
Nnirltlv" elements. The hair roofs
OF plants drink This for nourishmcnt.
If there is any more than enough to
Scrr" aS films for the soil PARTICLES
and capillary water. there is too
much and il should be draiucd off.
This can b" determined by digging n
mole 20 inches deep. IF there is stand
ing water in the bottom of the hole.
II Ind,ratcS to" much water in the
soil or SuhSoil
Fhc capacity Of given soil TO
mold film and capillary moisture de-
rcndS upon how finely it is pulvcriz-
cd and upon the amount Of humus in
II. (nrl"wrl lands retain but little
water. Th"r"u"hlv pnlvrrizcl soil 3
aNrn"S deep can not store enough 10
make Il crop.
IN all Southern States there arc
every year periods of drought. some
times not serious. but generally Suf-
hrl"ntlN pr"tractrd 10 reduce he crop.
lhr remedy for this is increased stnr-
AGE capacity for moisture. This can
be accomplished by deep and thorough
tl'laE" and by filling the soil with
hnmn~ tpartly drrayrd vcyctation)
the "ttrr' of deep tillaye has been
explained. The effect Of humus is 10
greatly increase the storage caparitv
"i SOILS tor water and to reduce cvar
"ratl"n. y pound OF humuS will store
seven and "nr-halt times rs much
a, o. Il / 1
SAND VIII lose lis water lay rvapora-
N"n tilrr" and nnr-halt times more
rapidly than the humuS. \ CLAW soil
will >l"r" only about nnc-rnurIh rs
mUrh moisture as humus. and will
los" II by evaporation twice rs rapid
~.
flaniS use an enormous ouaniity
OF water An acre of good corn will
absorb and cvaporalc during IFS
growth nearly 10 inches Of water.
About threc-fnurthS Of this amount
VIII be required during the last sew
"My-tlvr days Of It's growth, or nj the
rate Of > - inches of water a month.
This is in addition to evaporation
from the soil. which. even with fine
rctHling Influence Of dust mulch.
Will amount t" several inches each
m"nth III midsummer. In ease the
land is ploweh only 3 or i inches
deep. though thoroughly v pnlvrrzcA. il
Will store an amount of moisture en-
t'r'IN insufficient 10 supply crop re-
HhlrrmentS IN any protractcd drought