The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-02-19

be materially increased but when we
turn to the semi-arid section those
principles become vital.
Our present system of tillage is not
a combination of rigid rules outlining
certain mechanical work that must
be done under any and all conditions,
the result of deep and shallow plow-
ing. deep and shallow cultivation, etc.
1t looks rather to the condition of the
soil as maintained from year to year
In 1896 we conducted experiments
in eleven different places along the
Burlington railroad, the Northern
Pacific and the 500 line, receiving fl
nancial aid from all Of these COM
panies. the fields being located in
North Dakota, Nebraska. Kansas and
Colorado. In 1897 the Fremont and
Elkhorn railway came in for share
Of the work and more stations were
added on the other roads, making a
total Of over thirty.
Through a chain Of circumstances
connected with these farms we
reached the conclusion that the crop
growth and grain yield was governed
largely by the physical condition Of
the soil, and careful experiments the
past ten years has shown this to be
an important step by leading up to
Investigations along this special line.
While the conservation OF the
moisture is an important factor, it is
by no means all. It is only one Of
many vital things to be carefully con-
sidered If we are to reach the high
limit Of yield in all fields that now
seems possible.
While we do not wish to convey
the idea that our system is SO elabor-
ate and full of details that the farm
err cannot grasp it in it's entirety flor
it Is not), vet there are SO many de-
tails, everyone of which must be fully
understood, that it is entirely out Of
the question to cover the field as we
now understand it in SO short a space.
We can only deal with the main or
fundamental principles.
The physical or mechanical condi-
ton of the soil is the all-important
factor, as it has more to do with the
quantity and quality of the crop yield
than any other one thing. If the
seed and root bed is not properly pre-
pared all the. after cultivation cannot
bring the highest yield. No matter
how much moisture you have con-
served in the soil below or how com
pletely you may keep the weeds out
you cannot reach the high limit Of
yield without careful attention to the
preparation Of the soil.
Air is just as necessary an element
in the soil as the water, but both
must be there in proper quantities.
III there is too much air and too little
moisture nitrification ceases. If
there is too much moisture and too
little air the result is the same. From
ten years experience and observation
we have concluded that certain
chemical action must be practically
continuous in the soil during the
growing season il we are to grow the
largest crops. This chemical action
is unquestionably dependent upon
just certain ideal or perfect condi-
ton of the sofia physical condition
that will carry in the soil just the
ideal quantity of both air and water
and then as soon as the soil becomes
sufficiently warm natures work be-
gins.
The soil mulch is for three pur-
poses-to more readily admit the
moisture when it comes, to admit of
free circulation of the air into the
soil and to prevent the loss of mois-
ture by evaporation.
Sometimes the cultivation is not
deep enough or sufficiently frequent
and crust forms at the top of the
firm soil underneath the mulch. This
crust shuts out the air to degree
and 1t matters little then how perfect
may be the moisture at the roots, for
the growth will certainly be checked.
That nitrification is necessity in
the soil during the crop growing sea-
son is unquestionably true. If the
process of nitrification is going on
sufficiently to meet the requirements
of the crop this is always evidenced
by the dark green and healthy ap-
pearance of the plant.
One illustration with reference to
this may be quite clearly seen by not
ing the condition of fence post.
The portion above the ground, where
the air is plentiful and moisture lax,
remains in perfect condition and deep
down in the soil, where moisture is