Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-07-14
2 IS ~
& D6W Cows

up surface; it revolyes faster, thus
pulyerizing the soil better.
For hsrdlness and ease of operation
each gang of the disk should be con-
trolled by an individual lever. All
bearings should be well protected from
dust and dirt and so constructed as to
be easily oiled. Each disk should be
provided with satisfactory foot lever
cleaner
Experiments have proved the fact
that the disk harrow is an excellent
tool for thickening a thin stand or
alfalfa. The disk is set almost
straight, In which condition it is run
over the field about twice, just as the
alfalfa Is beginning to grow in the
spring, the second disking being done
at right angles to the first. The disk
SUITS or splits the crown Of the alfalfa
plant and thus causes 1t to throw out
more shoots. thus thickening the stand
How to Secure and Retain Moisture.
The Importance Of getting moisture
into the soil and keeping a sufficient
amount In store there for all demand OF
crops is conceded by all farmers, and
yet there are wide differences of opin-
lon among them as to the best methods
g reach that result Grass. red clover
and alfalfa roots rye frequently mem
toned as channels tu conduct moisture
down into the soil. 1t is true they may
have the force to push themselves down
into the subsoil to a greater distance
than most other vegetation, but In order
to determine their utility In this respect
their conductive ability must be ascer.
tanned. 1t is evident that the rooS
must be very small while forcing their
way into the hard soil. but notwith-
standing their threadlike size. they do
not easily penetrate it, and If they sue
coed In their search for moisture they
increase In size in spite of their com
pressed surroundings.
1t is evident that in the course OF
growth through very compact material
the roots viii have made no channel
for water nor for anything but them
selves, and when the surface soil 10
plowed they die, and when decay has
reduced their size they leave channel
for water, but the holes they leave are
very small and are quickly closed by
dashing rain and the sediment thus
created, and thus the channels produced
by the decayed roots are stopped and
sealed before much water has found It's
way into the hard undersoll. Still It
is true little water has thereby gons
deeper into the ground than before and
a little Is better than none, but 1t is
evident that the above method is not
effective and better way must be
found.
Starting with the self-evident propo-
sitlon that water easily finds its way
down in loose soil, 1t follows that way
Of making the soil loose further down
than it is commonly plowed, so that
large supply OF water can be taken In
as fast as heavy downpour can fur
nish 1t is the proper method and can
be done with the right kind of sub
soil plow 1t has a great advantage
over grasses, alfalfa or clover, is
better rooter than all of them combined,
and furnishes immensely better cham
nels than they do for water storage.
1t has been shown by experience, how
ever, that 1t requires good judgment to
properly use the subsoil pillow, and an
other most important point is to get the
right kind Of pillow. But when this is
done and the work accomplished you
may properly feel degree of indie
pendence never before enjoyed
The Foreign Market for Grain.
The influence of European agriculture
on the welface OF American farmers is
strikilgly illustrated in a bulletin re-
Gently issued by the Department Of Ag-
riculture on the cereal production OF
Europe, by special European agent Of
the bureau OF statistics. giving complete
official statistics, as far as they have
been published, of the acreage. produc-
ton and average yield of the various
grains In each country of Europe for
the last twenty-five years.
1t appears that wheat and corn are
the two grains that Europe imports
largely from abroad. European produc-
ton Of rye, barley and oats In nractic-
ally sufficient for national require
ments The growing dependence OF for
eign countries for much of It's grain
supply is illustrated by the fact that
during the last twenty years Europe
has increased its average purchase OF
wheat more than 100000 bushels,
or about so per cent, and has doubled
its annual purchases Of corn. 1t Ia
only In Northwestern Europe that the
dependence on foreign agriculture Ii
increasing. The wheat production OF
those countries has remained practical
ly unchanged during the last twenty
years, while their requirements have
been steadily increasing, 50 that they
now require from foreign sources 1907
10000 bushels a year more than they
did twenty years ago. II appears that
the average yield per acre Is the high
est In those countries where wheat cul-
ture is least generally practiced, and
where the acreage under that grain
shows the smallest increase The ex-
tension Of the wheat area. on the con-
trary. IL the most marked where the
yield is lowest.
A high average yield. such as Is OBJ
tanned in Northwestern Europe-about
twice as high as the best average yield
recorded In this country -presupposes
the use Of valuable land, justifying a
large outlay In labor AID fertilizers, as
we'll as an abundant supply OF good.
bur cheap, labor. Thcse conditions Of
intensive culture, however, are much
more favorable to the growth Of corps
other than grain, which give the great
est profit when raised on large scale
on new and comparatively cheap land
It appears that the average crop n
Germany Is worth about so, and from
an acre Of sugar beets S55, while wheat