Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1909-09-16
Meade County Agricultural
Department
Edited b. E. w. Bowen
Edited bs F. W. Bowen
THE CAMPBELL SYSTEM OF SOIL.
CULTURE.

through the application or sclenuhC
principles, TO increase the yield and
improve the quality of the produ-e
in the regions of insufficient rainfall
For twelve years Mr.. Campbell has
insisted ''that science in soil culture
and the more perfect adoption of
scientific methods to farming would
result in doubling the crops in\ the
great semi arid belt of America. >
He now declares that the crops
have not been one-fourth what they
should have been in this region.
The primary requirement for Sc
curing better yield is more per
feet physical condition of the soil.
An ideal physical condition of the
soil is the essential most to be de-
sired in scientific farming Too
much emphasis cannot be laid on
this point TO increase the yield,
according to Campbell, one must be
intimate with the condition of his
soil; he must note the presence or
absence Of publication, the upward
or downward movement of the
moisture, the compact or loose
condition of the mulch-in short, he
must study his ground. MIR. Camp
bell advocates that not the effect
of electrical currents or the deple-
ton of soil fertility. but the physi-
cal condition of the soil should be
the chief topic of agricultural infor-
nation.
The most perfect condition of the
soil is obtained when the soil holds
and carries exactly the proper guam
tity OF air and wafer Anything
which depletes the air or water sup
ply below the normal is adverse to
successful crop raising. 70 have
the best environment for rapid and
healthful plant growth there must be
fine and firm soil where the roots
are growing ''with the surface two
inches or more loose and open, and
ample moisture stand below to a
depth of four or more feet, and this
so long IS there is the required guam
tity of air and water in the portion
beneath the mulch where the princi
pal feeding roots are located
Relative to the physical condition
of the soil Mr.. Campbell gives the
following summary:
First2That fertility is not matter,
or a substance, or something that
exists in the soilin given quantities
and makes plants grow if the seed
is put in the soil, regardless Of how
it is titled or fitted.
Second-That the growth of all
plants depends upon the quantity
and force or energy Of the available
fertility, and this is great or small
just in proportion to the physical
or mechanical condition of the soil.
Third-That the soil IS natures
laboratory, where the proportion Of
air and water may be com bined in
just the proper quantities., If the
soils are too coarse and lie too loose,
then there is too much air for the
water the soil can hold, and with
the most ideal climatic conditions
only fairly good crops can possibly
be grown.
Fourth-That water is a vital
element in all vegetable growth, but
is not the only element that the
tillcr of the soil must see to. Air
is equally as important, and in all
tillage, air must be recognized and
The soil prepared with an eye to
utilizing it just as nature demands.
Give nature chance and she will
do wonders, but don't expect too
much without some intelligent effort
on your part
Next week we hope to show the
Campbell way of obtaining an ideal
physical condition of the soil.
Now that we have had general
rains all over the country, the ques-
ton arises as to what is the best
way 20 conserve them Science and