Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-09-28

1Of the rain or anow which fall
on the land, q part evapoFates int
the air; second part flows down thi
slopes To the streams and ID calIet
the run OF. The third part soaks n
70 the soil and subsoil. and themes
into underlying rocks perhaps to re
appear in spring or seepage int
streams. This Is called ground water
The fourth part 10 absorbed BY organ
isms chiefly by trees, grasses and b.
crop plants either directly through
the tissues or indirectly through the
roots penetrating the moistened soil
Erosion is due to the run OF, and til
quantity is dependent on the slope Of
the farm and also the nature of the
soil and its products. Any reasonable
slope, and any full cover of forest OF
grass with an abundant mulch, or q
close crop on a deeply broken soil, OF
friable furrow slice kept loose by
suitable cultivation, will absorb rain
and curtail the run of, or even reduce
1t to slow seepage through the sur
face soil which is the ideal condition.
Now the ground water is the most es-
sential constituent of the soil, be.
cause solution, circulation and or
ganiz assimilation are dependent
on water. All the organisms and It's
sues are made up of this solvent Of
water, and 1t constitutes large per
centage Of the bodies and food of men
and animal. The question OF the
amount or ratio of ground water in
the soil is a vital one. If it is excess
sive 1t makes a sodden mass, sticky
when wet, but baked when dry, so
that there is no possible absorption
further into 1t, and 1t sends on the
water that falls on 1t to erode easy
slopes. NJ
"The erosion begins on the farm and
should be remedied there. Deep cul-
'tivation brings up fresh earth salts
to the shorter rootlets. but carries
down the humes and mulch to thicken
the soil and feed the deepest roots
In fiat lying fields the tenacious soils,
tile drainage is the best method OF
relieving the farm from the danger of
too great run off. Deep drainage per-
mits both soil and sub-soil to crumble
and disintegrate and through mechani-
cal and chemical changes become fri
able and capable of taking on and
holding the right amount Of moisture
for plant growth, while the water
which runs out through the drain is
clear without carrying the soil with
it, and therefore without erosion. OF
course different farms require differ
emit treatment. Certain farms require
what is called contour cultivation, by
which each furrow is to be run in
such way as to level and to hold the
water. On lilly lands, strips Of grass
land are grown, called balks or
breaks separating zones of plow land,
and they should curve with the slopes
and the soil being carried by the
water will constitute them a kind OF
terrace without effort. The use Of for
ests Of course in foot hills and deep
" broken country Is essential and
should be united with grazing They
will prevent the formation of torrents
by making the mulch and soil deep
and spongy. OF course over all noun
tain divides the retention of forests
greatly helps to prevent the carrying
1ff of the good soil in the valleys be-
ow. The proper selection Of crops
has much to do with the stopping OF
erosion.
~ gather these facts from the re-
ports Of the secretary Of agriculture
is to the best method Of preventing
erosion. They are simple and easily
but they need to be i'm
pressed upon the farmers by education
ind by reiteration. Then the pro-
iuction Of the soils might very well
1e increased by commercial fertil-
GERS. In 1907 $1O0,OO0,000 was ex-
pended In fertilizers, but the agricul-
ural department is Of opinion that
,ne-third of this was wasted for lack
II knowledge as to how to use 1t.
crop rotation is essential because 1t
las been found that the remains OF |
me crop has poisonous effect upon
he next crop If it is Of the same
,lant. but such remains do not inter
ere with the normal production Of
Inherent crop.
'PThen there Is the organization OF
he farm on plain business principles
" which the buildings and the ma
;hinery are so arranged as to make
he movement Of crops and food and
.nimals as easy and economical as
,ossible A study as to the character
4 the soil and the crops best adapted
o the soil; the crops to be used In
citation for the purpose Of strength
ming the soil-all are questions that
ddress themselves to scientific and
agriculturist, and which
II farmers are bound to know II the
roduct per acre is to be properly in
We have every reason to
ope, from the forces now making to-
Yard the education and information
1 the farmer, as to the latest results
a scientific agriculture, that the
ountry will have the advantage OF
in our farming along
he proper lines. Further agricultural
evelopment is to. be found in the
reeding of proper plants for the
laking Of the best crops, while the
rowth Of live stock IL made much
lore profitable both to the owner and
, the public by improving the breed
nd the infusion Of the blood Of the
est stock.
@The Improvement In agricultural
ducation goes on apace. All the
49,. = - e,a uad In opondinR uaoneV