The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-09-08
FALL FLOWING.

The agronomy department of the
college has issued the following bull
letin on fall blowing:
Fall blowing? Now is the time for
us TO think of fall blowing u ground
for the spring crops. This is not too
early, because the time for preparing
a good secd-bed s indeed to short
in the spring We must always bear
in mind, THE bet er the condition Of
the soil, the better will the harvest
be-"
Why fall pillow? We may ask why
do we plOw at all? The first essential
OF a good crop is d well prepared soil.
and the first thing to do is to pillow
that ground. There are many reasons
why it is better TO plow in the fall
than in the spring. First we conserve
moisture 'hich is perhaps the most
important factor in the growing of
large crops. We can save more thar
two inches of wat-r which t. enough
to grow eleven bushels of corn or
seven bushels of wheat. It is we'll
known that the air cavities and loose
surface soil remain as such a long
time when we plow in the spring.
1t takes a great deal of work t. COM
pact that seed beed, about which We
hear SO much, but which so few OF
us ever get. Plow in the fall and let
nature do it for US. The rubbish
which We turn under will have a
chance to rot and capillarity will be
restored. Such soils are also warmer
because they are usually drier in the
spring. Many weeds are destroyed
as are also the eggs of the grass
hopper and the larya Of the cut
worm.
When Shall begin 10 plOW? Now.
Plow your stubble, clover sod or
meadow whenever you have tho time.
When you cannot do other work hitch
on to the plow and begin. Put in your
odd half days blowing. Continue to
plow until the ground freezes. We
may even piow our heavier soils at
this time when they are somewhat
wet because the alternate freezing
and thawing, and wetting and drying
will make them granular and again
put them in good filth. Sandy ground
may be plowed at any time.
How deep to plow? Plow at least
six inches deep, and if the soil is
inclined to be dry, eight. One of
our most apparent faults is that we
plow too shallow. The reservoir is
not large enough to absorb and retain
water and there is not sufficient soil
'or proper root development.
What to do after blowing? Uusual-
~ 1t is best to let it lie as it is plow-
I'd unless the surface be too loose
md contains a great deal of organic
natter, when it should be dragged or
packed with a ~sub-surface packer or
If rolled the harrow must fol-
ow the roller in order to again es-
the mulch.
What must / do in the spring? Disk
IS early as possible. We should re-
member hat we are able to cultivate
he ground much earlier than that
is not plowed. let the disk lap
alf and then use a harrow so as to
ven and fine the surface.
what crops to seed OF fall plowed
round in the spring? Wheat and
ats are the best crops for such pre-
AIRED ground, because they are sown
first in the spring. Corn usually
oes we'll on spring plowed ground.
Veedy fields and sod ground plant to
Orn.
Disking before blowing? When
'ork is not too pressing in August
September it Is a good plan to
isk stubble ground quite early. This
moisture, causes weed seed
volunteer g ain to terminate, and
i'll plow much better in the latter
of October or il, November.
1t is we'll to bear in mind the fol q
wing summary: .
|. Plow as much ground as you
an before it freezes.
2. Plow from six to eigh inches I
eep. o.
3. If possible disk before blowing
4. If the soil is very loose drag
: compact. s.
.. Disk early in the spring. =
s. Harrow well after disking. s.
Z. Seed to wheat or oat with a v
ill. p
8. Cut sod up we'll and plant to T
Urn. W
--S- VI