The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-06-08
OF INTEREST
TO FARMERS
Some Valuable Hints and In
formation Taken From
Farm Papers
The Critical Period for Crops

The critical period for crops in
the northwestern states is not usu-
ally when the crop is sown. nor dur
ing the early stages of growth, hut
later; that is, toward the period of
maturing. 1t is easily possible to
carry a crop on that is big with
promise until it come near he ripen-
ing period, and when that stage APP
~proaches, the realization of what
was promised earlier is not attain
ed.
The result referred to more COM
monty arises from two causes. One
is the lack of sufficient moisture to
carry the crop to maturity, and the
other is the injury that may come
from warm winds that blow for
successive days and interfere with
the filing of the grain. 1t might
seem at first though that the farm
ers are at the mercy of the elements
and can do nothing to prevent the
injury referred to from either of
the causes named. But such is not
the fact. 1t is true Of course that
the farmer cannot make it ram, and
it is als) true he cannot command
the winds. Nevertheless he can do
much to ward off the injury that
would otherwise result from either
should it threaten.
The soil may be prepared for the
crop in a way that will hold the
moisture that falls for a period suf-
iciendy long TO bring some relief
to the crops, should they be threat
ened with a shortage, or with in
jury from undue heat. The prepar-
alton called for may be two-fold in
character. 1t may consist of keep
ing in the moisture by surface Guilt
Walton, or 1t may mean the stocking
Of the land with humus. These may
both be accomplished in one season,
but more commonly they are restor-
ed t.. in different seasons.
The stirring of the surface soil in
wolves bringing the summer-fallow
into the rotation or the growing of
some crop that calls for cultivation
during much of the period pr grow
tn. Which of these methods is to
be chosen must be determined by
the attendant conditions. If the
soil is infested by perennial weeds
that are difficult of eradication, the
summer-fallow is to be chosen. The
same is true of any soil that wants
cleaning, if the farmer is not pre-
pared to utilize to advantage the
crops that may be thus grown.
Where he is SO prepared then the
cultivated crop is to be preferred to
the bare fallow.
Humus may be put into the soil
by introducing any kind of a grass
or clover crop into the rotation
When the sod of any of these is
broken, a large supply Of humus is
put into the soil in the form of roots
and stubble or top growth. The
increased power given to the sol
by this process is very considerable.
1t is specially helpful when hot winds
come, for there is then a reserve as
it were, of moisture in the soil that
would not otherwise be there, ard
its presence may be able to carry
the growing through a critical per-
iod where it would otherwise fail.
The two processes may be carried
on the same season, as for instance.
when the land is simmer fallowed
and one or two crops are buried
during the summer-fallowed process
This NAV easily be done by making
one Of these winter rye and the
other some quick growing crop sowr
on top of the buried rye.
The necessity for giving attention
to these methods increases with the
wearing of the soil. When land il
first broken 1T is usually well sup.
piled with humus. Each grain croI
taden from it lessons the supply
The result is. finally, that the humu
supply is SO low that the soil is no
well able to resist the influences O
drouth. Wherever the rainfall i
short in a normal season. and where
ever hot winds are liable to prevail
close attention should be given tt
both those methods of warding of
crop failure. PROF. Thos. Shaw il
noJn%o Eo~~on~