The Parker post., 1911-12-16
DYNAMITE GROUND
BEFORE PLANTING
Experiments Show That by Loosening
Soil at Depth Plant Life Thrives
Without Use of Expensive FertiIiz-
ers. "Farming With Dynamite"

The experiments being conducted
in various portions of the country
under the direction of the agricul--
ural colleges of different states, in
farming with dynamite" are being
watched with great interest. A rr,3-
liminary report has just been issued
from the census department at Wash
ington showing that there are $50
great fertilizing producing concerns
in the country, and that in 1909 the
value of their products was $10,960,-
900.
If the theory attached to the use Of
dynamite in agricultural pursuits is
found to be correct, and the Du Pom
company is evidently so sure of it
that they are spending large sui
to prove their claims, then all of thi
great outlay for fertilizers will be u1l.
necessary. 1t is pointed out that il,
ordinary plowing the same old soil j.
merely turned over a few inches from
the surface year after year, and a
decrease in crops is only prevented
by rotation or expensive fertilizers.
The theory Of farming with dynam
ite Is that by planting sticks Of dy-
Mantle at regular intervals of space,
and exploding them, that the under
lying soil lis disturbed to depth
several feet, making it porous and ca
pable of absorbing plenty of water in
rainy weather, and this water, which
is the principal plant food, is drawn
to the top by the roots of the plan,
as needed for it's growth, carrying
with it not only moisture but neces-
sary soluble fertalizing elements
In the cotton fields of the SOUTH
production has been multiplied sew
eral times over from plowing W
dynamite. while increases of thirty
three per cent are reported from corn
fields. Melon patches also show re
markably Increased yields. J. H.
Hale, the great. orchardist from Con-
necticut, has become convert to tn
scheme, and has planted thousands of
-rees with dynamite, with surprising
results. Illustrations have been re-
ceived showing how the use of dy-
Mantle permits the roots of fruit trees
20 take their natural downward
course into the lower stratas of soil
in which plenty Of plant food ele-
ments are available, and the develop
ment of the trees planted with dy-
Mantle, and without, In the same or
chards demonstrates more than any
thing else the success of the expert
ment
Cornell university is authority for
the statement that trees properly
planted can absorb so per cent of the
moisture surrounding them and where
the underlying soil Is especially pre-
pared for this purpose it is not
strange that photographs prove that
trees set out in land prepared by dy-
Mantle look fully 100 per cent more
healthy, and are much more prcduc-
tive in three or four years, than the
trees set out In plots where cramped
roofs prevent healthy growth. In tht
wooded sections of the country the SCI
tiers discovered for themselves many
years ago that few sticks of dynam-
lite could beat all the patent
stump pullers in the universe.
The agricultural department was the
last to be convinced, but Mr.. Wilson
bureau has finally acknowledged that
there is no question about this-just
as they are going to wake up to the
more wonderful discovery of the prac
ticability of farming with dynamite
when there Is no longer any question
about it. Now that congress has
reasSembled it has been suggested
that the passage of the Simmons ag-
ricultural experiment bill Of the sixty
first congress would result in the TAX
ing up of such matters as farming
with dynamite in a practical manner
that would advance the agricultural
interests of the country to a great de-
gree.