The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1910-02-10
SOIL AS A SPONGE
Proper Conservation Of Moisture
lnsures Increase Of Wheat Crop
TO Secure Proper Degree Soil Must
Be Kept in Constant Absorbent
Condition and Supply of Hu-
mus Maintained.

A proper conservation of moisture
n the semi-arid wheat belts through
an intelligent treatment of the soil
would increase the wheat production
If the Pacific northwest several mil
ion bushels annually, according to
Prof. George Severance, of the Wash
ngton state college.
To secure the proper degree of mois-
.ure conservation, the soil must be
xept in an absorbant condition. The
supply of humus must be maintained,
or it keeps the soil in more sponge
ike condition. Where wheat is grown
and continually alternated with sum-
ner fallow, the greater part OF the
straw being either removed or burned,
he humus supply of the soil is gradu-
lily reduced. The small root system
of the wheat, and the scanty stubble
place the amount that decays during
he growth of one crop.
"As much straw and stubble should
De worked into the soil as possible,
rays Prof Severance. "The straw
should not be burned, and the manure
should not be wasted. Scatter the
straw and manure thinly over the
poorer parts of the fields and tAen
chop them into the soil with a disc
| narrow.
THE evil results commonly at
lributed to plowing under long straws,
Or stubble, arise from the fact that
The straws are plowed under un-
broken, and form layer between the
'eedbed and the moist soil beneath.
This to a considerable extent inter
'eres with the capillary connection
with the moist soil beneath. Much of
he straw will be left sticking out be.
.ween the burrows, offering very eff
| 'ective ventilation which dries out the
soil underneath. "At the beginning
Of the rainy season loosen the surface
rs possible after the crop is removed
Three or four inches of loose surface
will permit rainfall of one inch in
"A hours to sink mostly below the
svaporating surface, to be drawn down
ater by gravity and capillary attrac
lion, the principle being the same as
that which causes oil to rise through
4 wick when the wick is lighted The
moisture will rise much faster in mois
soil than in dry soil, and it will rise
faster when the particles are packed
1rmly together than when they are
loose; and it will rise faster when tn,
particles are fine instead of course.
"Stubble fields which are to be sum
mer fallowed should be mulched a
soon as the soil is fit to work in tn,
spring. If the surface is firm, use
disc. The mulch need not be deer
but should form a continuous blanke
over the surface. If the surfac
breaks up in slices, or Jumps, as
} frequently does, the disc should b
followed with a spiketooth harrow t
} pulverize the Jumps and form a NOR
perfect mulch. While it is vital tha
disking begin as soon as the soil /
! at to work, it Is mistake, PARTICULAR
with heavy soils, to begin when tn
soil is so moist as to slice up Il
cheeSe-llke chunks.
"As fast as the plowing is done tn
burrows should be worked down. TIL
best practice is to follow the plow a
. closely as possible with a sub-surfac
packer.
Successful dry land tillage does no
call for an increased amount of labo
so much as for labor to be properl,
applied If two or three extra work
ings of the soil should be called for
the farmer can determine whether al
increased production, say ten to 2
bushels per acre. will pay for the ea
ira work"