The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1910-12-09

WHICH concern the people OF nOTtn-
eastern Nebraska, was not surprised
when few weeks ago you asked me
to prepare for your readers a short
article giving the result of some of my
personal observations relative to the
fertility of this wonderful Loess soil
which covers most of the counties of
this portion of the state.
1t is now over thirty years ago since
! took up a pamphlet issued by the
Burlington railroad company, which
purported to give description of the
lands they owned in the county where
i now live and some of the adjacent
counties. ! well remember being at.
tracted by the report of Professor
Aughey of the state university as to
the composition of the soil and it's ev.
ident usefulness for all round farming
purposes, and it only seems like yes.
terday that I'laid down the little book.
let which had reached my home across
the Atlantic, saying to myself, 'If it
is only half as good as he says, it is
good enough for me-"
A few months later | decided to
leave the old home to come to the
place which had such promise for one
who desired to settle in a goodly land
Well do l remember after my arrival
on the place where | have lived since
that time, taking up handful of the
kindly soil which it has been my pleas
ure to own and till during these years.
and after examining it, saying "This is
the best soil | ever saw or handled" >"
And now, after thirty years of expert.
menting, cultivation and examination,
you ask me the question, What do
you think of it now?" am sure you
are not prompted by merely curious
inquiring spirit, but you want to know
the facts for the benefit of your read
ers, and / shall endeavor to answer
your inquiry in as plain and practical
way as / possibly can, avoiding the
technical and having in view that
which you are anxious to know-what
the soil in this portion of the state is
worth for practical farming purposes,
and II 1t has the qualities which are
lasting as to it's future fertility. Yet
1 must confess that in endeavoring to
answer your questions shall be large.
ly governed by the thought of impress
ing my fellow citizens with the idea
that the possession of such a heritage
as we enjoy should arouse in us
spirit of pride and appreciation that
is. knowing the value of this soil. We
ch hn e..
and anxious to care for and conserve
so goodly possession.
The study of the soil and the plants
which grow upon it, has always at
tracted the thoughtful and inquiring
mind. Since the dawn of history we
find that men were anxious to find out
the operations of natures laws and to
cooperate with her, if perchance they
could assist to a larger usefulness.
The history of investigation along ag-
ricultural lines is a very interesting
and fascinating one. and it seems as
the years go by and we get in closer
touch with the natural laws which
govern the machinery at work in the
soil, and the plants which we plant
and cultivate, we realize more and
more the necessity of an intelligent
cooperation with these laws and the in
dividual operators which carry on the
business of providing and supplying
plants with food.
This machinery and these operators
which do this work do not perform
their functions in a haphazard way.
The machinery is wonderfully and in
geniously constructed, and the operat-
ors are expert and industrious, but it
is very easy matter for man to in
terfere with the operation of the ma
chinery and impede the forces winch
keep it in motion.
During the past 100 years some of
the keenest observers and scientists
have been busy trying to find out the
best methods of cooperating with the
forces at work in the soil. The result
has been that we are acquainted now
with the fact that a certain Combina-
tion of elements 80 largely toward the
making of food for growing crops. If
all these elements are present, con-
ditions are favorable for plants to
grow, providing sufficient moisture
and warmth is supplied If any one
of these essential elements is lacking,
trouble arises, and it is like machine
minus a cog wheel, the machine can
not work.
Every Essential Element Present.
Now here let me say that in this
wonderful Loess soil of ours there has
been provided in great abundance
every element and condition to make
a perfect and lasting fertility machine,
and these elements are not confined
merely to a surface foot or two of the
soil, but to a depth in most places of
fifty feet, and many places much deep
er do We find an abundant supply of
the elements which are convertible
into plant food.
Plants as we'll as animals, If they
are to grow and produce generously,
must be provided with a balanced ra-
tion, that is, food adapted for their
requirements.