Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1910-05-21

more complex than the most intricate
experiments or our scientific inyesti-
gators, Nitrogen in plants is convert
ed during the complex process OF de-
cay into nitrtes which are then ready
to be used by plants. Organic mat
ter, when decaYing, forms carbonic
acid in the soil, and although this is
very weak acid, it Is able To dissolve
much OF the potash and phosphate
which were formerly insoluble. Thus
the three elements commonly sold in
commercial fertilizer are furnished for
orchard growth by humus. 1t liber-
ates the potash and phosphate already
in the soil and supplies nitrogen.
Humus Is beneticial-tO the soil in
many ways. 1t makes land more por-
Gus, enabling 1t to hold water like a
sponge. 1t makes stiff clay soil of
lighter tilth by separating and loosen
ing the soil PARTICLES, thus making
cultivation easier and more effective.
Cultivation Is something more than
an efficient method of destroying
weeds. 1t helps to get rid of surplus
water-yet If properly done, retains
all beneficial moisture. 1t aerates the
soil, letting ia the air and warmth
thus aiding the many chemical pro-
cesses in the soil to greater activity.
There is this difference between culti-
walton and cover crops: Cultivation
liberates plant food already in the
soil. Cover Crops also do this and
add more to the organic store at the
same time preventing loss OF available
plant material which would otherwise
have leached away. Both are inyalu-
able in IT, cir places.
Humus is partially decomposed veg
etable matter-nOJ completely decay
ia. When vegetable matter forms
humus, or humus breaks down TO form
still simpler compounds, heat is liber-
ed. Whether pile of leayes is
burned or allowed to rot, the same
amount Of heat is eventually given
off. Thus, decaying organic matter
ia the soil makes it warmer and drier
In the spring, and growth will start
more readily and be faster throughout
the season. Humus makes the soil
darker, and by test il has betn shown
that dark soil is warmer than the
same soil under like conditions but
lighter In color. Dark soil also holds
the heat longer.
When country is in a wild state
humus is supplied 10y dead leayes. grass
and other vegetation, most Of which
falls and rots where it grew, but with
modern methods of plOwing and clean
cultiyatian, we "burn out" the humus
and at the same time do away with
the source of supply. We may supply
this deficiency by applying barnyard
manure and commercial fertilizer, and
10y using cover crops. We might add
that millions of dollars worth of fer
tillZer is lost by the American people
through careless handling of manure.
1t should never he exposed to sun and
weather). Cover crops are especially
adapted to the best cultural methods
in orchards. The ideal cultivation,
we believe, is intensive clean culture
from early spring to June or July, de-
pending On the season: then seed 10
the cover crop which seems best
adapted TO your particular orchard.
Cover crops may be divided into
two classes, those taking free nitrogen
from the air Glover. COW peas. etc.,
and those using only the nitrogen al
ready in the soil. Rye and oats are
good examples of the latter, which are
used as catch crops where no more
nitrogen is desired. They should be
used In pear orchards which are in.
clined to make too rapid growth.
"Catch crops" are necessary because
bacteria working In the soil, espec-
tally in warm weather, are continual 1
ly liberating food In the form of nit
rates and minerals such as potash and
phosphate are also continually chang
ihS W oOiuoiC III ultIdbCS, uu-
less used Immediately, are liable to be
lost by teaching. Some of the more
or less soluble minerals may be lost by
washing away in the drainage water;
their loss, however is not so great as
that Of nitrogen. The growing or
chard utilizes these materials during
the first part Of the season, when
growth is most rapid, but later, when
growth slackens, cover crop of some
sort is necessary to use this food and
get 1t In form that can be carried
over until the next season without
loss. Such crops as clover, COW peas
and vetch are especially good. They
not only store up all available nitro
gen ip the soil, but add more from the