The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-03-03
PLAN TO FARM
BY DYNAMITE
Demonstrates 10 be Held Il The
County Farm March Gath

During the past few years, the
farmers OF the country have brought
into subservience many of the
dynamic forces of nature TO save
time and labor and to facilitate the
cultivation of mother earth, but the
latest force to be brought into service
is dynamite itself.
On March Gath there will be given
the farmers of Durham county an
opportunity to witness the wonderful
things that can be done on the farm
by the use of explosives. A full ana
complete demonstration OF farming
with dynamite will be given by the
DUPONT Powder company on that
date at the county farm.
Flowing With Dynamite.
The most interesting work that is
now being done on the farm by
dynamite is blowing. Underneath
almost every field of cultivated
ground is a hard strata. or subsoil. !
beneath which the pillow, no matter
of what design, never goes. This i
hard strata is generally impervious
TO water. or nearly So In wet
weather this hard strata keeps all of
the water near the surface. IL the 1
weather is very wet. and the ground
level. the crop is drowned If the /
land Is sioping. the water runs OF.
In either case. when dry weather sets
in there is no place to retain The
moisture and the crop suffers from
an insufficient supply Of water nu-
ture,
Dynamite ". Fertilizer.
The latest method OF Kidding land
Of this very Objectionable quality Is
by the judicious use OF dynamite.
Every fifteen feet each way, hole is
bored through this hard subsoil with
an ordinary augur 10 a depth OF
from three TO i've feet, the depth
depending on the nature OF the land.
A very small piece OF dynamite is
placed in each of these holes and the
charges set on. As the result OF the
dynamite explosion. large funnel
shaped cup is formed in this hard
strata. The charge OF dynamite is
not made strong enough TO blow ont
the earth in this cup. but just strong
enough 10 loosen the dirt thoroughly
and 10 form creyiees in the surround !;
ing soil leading into the cistern thus
formed. Through these intereises j
the water finds its way when rain |
comes. The moisture is held in
these places 70 be drawn upon By ,
the roots OF the crop whenever this
moisture is NEEDED. The roots find !
their way into the small intercises .
formed by the dynamite and these /
keep the creyioes open from year TO ,
year making permanent cistern for {
the retention OF moisture for every
crop
This method was originated by the
DUPONT Powder company and has ,
been put in operation in many parts
81 the country. In many places
where the process has been used. the
crop was doubled the first year and
showed corresponding increase
every year thereafter II Is one or
the creates; savers OF fertilizers
known. The cost Of the application
Of the process to the land II very /.
slight a. compared with the largely !
Increased yield.
Other Dynamite Farming.
On the date mentioned above. be- /
SIDES the subsoiling demonstration.
there viii BE- given also q demonstra- ,
ton Of ditch digging. stump blasting
ana tree planting with dynamite. Z
The DUPONT Powder company viii !
have an expert III the work present /,
70 demonstrate The various things I
that can BE- done with the explosives. !
To Dir. L 2. Markham. chairman !
Of the board 81 county commission !
ers. Is due the credit OF having the
demonstration where Il can be Wit {
MESSED BY the Durham county farm !
efs lie has been ID correspondence b
with the Dupont company for some /
time. and the anal date Of he /
demonstration sss announced YES q
terday.
In addition 10 the dynamite ex.l .
hibit. there will also be- seed corn
exhibit 81 the county home on the 4
same date.