American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1911-03-25

CURED for each pound OF dry matter
produced, while on the part that had
been bare, only 573 pounds were
required. For the clay loan $50
pounds on the cropped part and $50
on the previously bare part were
required for each pound OF dry mat
ter. For the clay 1866 pounds on
the cropped part and 1899 on the
previously bare part were required
for each pound OF dry matter.
These results teach clearly and en-
phatically that the fertile condition
Of the soil induced by following
makes 1t possible to produce dry
matter with a smaller amount of
water than can be done on soils
that are cropped continuously. The
beneficial effects OF following are
therefore twofold: To store the
moisture Of two easons for the use
OF n crop and to set free fertility
to enable the plant to grow with
the least amount OF water. 1t Is
not yet fully understood what
changes occur In following to give
the soil the fertility which reduces
the water needs or the plant. The
researches of Atkinson In Montana
and Stewart and Greaves in Utah,
make 1t seem probable that the for
nation or nitrates play an import
ant part In the whole process.
II a soil Is Of such nature that
neither careful, deep blowing at
the right time nor constant crust
cultivation are sufficient to set free
an abundance OF plant food 1t may
be necessary to apply manures or
comm ercial fertilizers to the soil.
While the question of restoring soil
fertility has not yet come to be a
leading one In dry farming, yet in
view of what has been said In this
chapter 1t is not impossible that the
time Will come when the farmers
must give primary attention to soil
fertility In addition to the storing
n concentration of soil moisture.
n fertilfzing of lands with proper
plant foods, as shown in the last
sections, tends to check transpira-
ton and makes possible the produc-
ton of dry matter at the lowest
water cost.
me recent practice In practically
all dry farming districts, at least in
the intermountain and far west. to
ust the header in harvesting. bears
directly upon the subject consider
ed In this chapter. The high stub
DIE which remains contains much
valuable plant food, often gathered
meny feet below the surface by the
plant roots. When this stubble is
plowed under there is a valuable ad-
dition OF the plant food % the up
per soil. Further. as the stubble de-
Gays. acid substances are produced
that act upon the soil grains to set
Tree the plant food locked up in
them. The blowing under of stub
Die Is therefore Of great value to
farmer, the blowing under of
organic substance has the same ef-
Feet. In both cases fertility is con-
centrated near the surface, which
dlssOlves In the soil water and en-
ables the crop to mature with the
least quantity of water.
The lesson then to be learned
from this Is. that 1t Is moi sufft-
cient for the dry farmer to store an
abundance Of water in the soil and
TO prevent that water from evaporat-
ing directly from the soil. but the
SOIL must be kept in such a state
OF high fertility that plants are en-
aoled to utilize the stored moisture
IN the most economical manner
Water storage. the prevention of
sou fertility go hand in hand in
the development of a successful sys-
tenn OIL FARMING without irrigation.