The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1910-09-29
Preparing Ground For Seeding

The drouth of 1910 furnishes a Sc
we're lesson for the Northwestern
farmer. One fact, however, stands
out sharply. Those who last season,
early prepared a good firm seed bed,
have this year reaped fair, often
fine crop; while those who were less
careful or fortunate in such prepara
ton have Jared poorly indeed.
Aside from the damage occasioned
by the root diseases of the wheat and
fax, am convinced that poorly
prepared seed-bed largely accounts
for the great damage which has been
done by the drouth. Careless ploW-
ing did much to spoil crop possibili-
ties, but in much the greater area, a
lack of work done upon the land at
ter blowing accounts for the chief
loss of crop. While the drouth has
been unprecedented, the most appar-
ent fact is, that, commonly, the seed
was placed into loose ashy dry soil
having no continuity with the mois-
ture of the sub-soil below the furrow
slice. On large areas the seed failed
to find sufficient moisture to sprout.
This was especially true of late plant.
ed grains, and of flax in particular.
Upon yet other = tracts, the grain
sprouted. only to gradually dry out
before the roots of the young. plants
reached the lower soil layers. in
which there was sufficient moisture
to develop fair crop. .
This is the story of too many acres
p]owed and seeded with too slight in
tervening labor. Less areas seeded
upon properly prepared lands, pay
best for the labor expended.
TO one who has had opportunity
for wide observation, it is also evil
dent that the early seeded grain fairs
the best. This was very evident the
past season.
Now is the time to prepare for next
years crop. What should be done?
If there is moisture sufficient to work
commence blowing at once. pillow ear
ly, pillow DEEP, and turn the furrow
slices as fiat as possibly.
The same rules for working the
land after blowing can not be fol-
lowed on all soils, but it is certain
that the plow should at once be fol-
lowed by some sort of a tool which |
will level and firm down the soil that
has been loosened by the pillow, so
that there shall at once be establish
ed proper continuity of the plowed |
soil with the underlying sub-soil.
II the soil is loose, some sort of sub
surface packing implement should be
used. If it is of heavy clayey tex
tIra, arrange for good surface drain
age. tin n harrow freely. The aim
should be to so firm the land before
sowing time, that the drill shoes or
disks can not cut over two inches
deep, without striking soil sufficient
ly compact to hold the weight of the
drill. 1t will then find moisture for
the seed, if any is to be had, and the
seed will not be placed so deeply in
loose, dry dirt as to destroy the vi
tality of the young plants.
Deep planting, in a loose seed-bed,
destroys more northwestern grain
than drOuth or rain and all other
agencies combined. Select plump,
heavy, disease-free seed Disinfect
the surface of all seed grain to kill
the pores of the smuts, blights, willis,
and rOOt-rot fungi.
Cease sowing crop after crop of the
same sort of grain on the same field.
Rotate. Any rotation of five years
or more, together with firm seed
bed, and sound disease-free seed will
bring that smile to the farmers face
which cant come off,"
Henry l.. Bolley, Botanist,
Agricultural College, Fargo. N. ID.
Little George Garland is GONZALES
cent.
M. A. Duffy, G. W. Powell, and
Mrs. Sltz were at Saco Friday before
the u. S. Commissioner there on
business connected with the latter's
final proof Oh her homestead.