Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-05

to the development and prosperity of the
great west and its railroads than any
other one thing. 1t will not be disputed
today by anyone who knows, that by and
through scientific soil culture more is
being accomplished for the retirement of
all crops and the increased prosperity OF
the great west in all seasons and under
almost all conditions than in any other
way. o, hat you could all see these things
as l see them. Were 1t so less effort
would be put forth to spread the news
that 1t can be done and for more TO the
practical dissemination of information as
to how 1t is done. To simply know a
thing that viii bring results can be done
and to know how to do it, are two quite
different conditions in shaping the destiny
of the new farm home.
General Principles Involved.
To understand this we must discuss
briefly a few Of the general principles in
volved. The one essential to crops is cor
rect treatment of the soil. The soil is the
farmers workshop and laboratory. ana
what happens In this laboratory depends
upon the kind. time and manner Of till
age. The farmer cannot control the rain
or sunshine nor fix the temperature, but
within certain limits he can maintain that
certain physical condition of the soil that
shall control therein both air and water.
and we shall endeavor to show a little la
ter on that herein lies the hidden secret
Of successful farming.
The one thing to be sought In scientific
soil culture is such a condition of the soil
as will secure In available form the great
est amount of fertility. But what is fer
tillty? Is it something that is within the
grains OF the soil in fixed quantity only TO
be reduced as each crop is taken from the
tield, We very much doubt Il. We have
seen abundance OF evidence IN our work
the last ten years to fully convince us
that I'm the main Il is something that Is
developed each year in quantity just In
proportion to the physical condition OF the
soil, that condition which permits the soil
to carry just the proper proportions Z
air and water s that sunshine and warmth
viii promote the necessary chemica ac-
ton. Soil is fertile where the chemlca
changes and processes are active, and this
Is made possible by bringing together the
elements OF air and water in right pro-
portion and subjecting them TO the action
or light and heat and. perhaps. OF cleo
trioity' This can be brought about very
largely by mechanical processes.
Cannot Lay Down FIXED Rules.
But you cannot lay down a rxad rrIe
for this mechanical work. Any such fixed
rule would break down whenever there was
a radical change in conditions, such as ex.
cessive heat, a prolonged dry period. high
Nlhds' hght showers or heavy downpours.
We can outline certain general mechanical
work that will succeed II the farmer under
Stands Just what the finished work must
De Therefore, the only thing to do Is 10
help the farmer educate himself I'm the true
principles Of soil fertility. so that he win
upuerstand just what he is aiming at in
cultivation and In all field work. He must
know why things are done. lie must aver
DC alert TO these things, know In what wav
they may be favorable OF detrlmental ana
what he should do and when TO derive the
greatest benefit from his labor. He sbould
arrays look to securing and maintaining
nat certain ideal physical condition az thc
soil that is most favorable To promottng
the ehemica changes which develop fer
Unity. For. let me repeat. the great secret
OF such successful crop growing as snail
result In doubling the average yield Of an
crops In all sections OF the country IN
good years ana OF producing good crops m
drouthy years, lies in the farmers knowl-
edge OF how TO properly combine the ele-
menis Of air and water In the soil.
water Movement In sOiI.
Let me Illustrate b. referring to some
phases Of the pro aem tina have received