Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-16
PHILOSOPHY OF CULTIVATION

The rains which have recently fallen
and which may be anticipated at this
season OF the year present variety OF
problems to the farmer which are well
worthy of his earnest consideration; his
management and manipulation OF the
rainfall. in other words, determining
largely the crop he viii gather from ms
soil IL matters not how thorough ana
sffcfent the preparation and fertilization
OF the land may be. cultivation still re-
mains one OF the most important and
essential matters In crop growing There
has been a tendency for many years 10
ignore cultivation after planting In fact'
II has not been uncommon TO hear many
farmers boast OF their ability 10 produce
q crop with a minimum amount OF
surface stirring Of the soil IL IS true
that the great majority who have foi-
lowed this method OF practice have not
raised bumper crops, and IL is evident
10 All who have studied the philosophy
OF cultivation that they viii never do so
untfl a more rational system OF culttva-
ton Is pursued
II takes but a very light shower 70
TORN a crust on the surface OF the soiis
and this is particularly true in those
sections OF the south where red clay
lands predominate Some crust VIII form
even IN the sander regions comprising
the coastal plain. and though the crust
Is not so thick nor its effect on germina-
ton so unfavorable. yet il favors the es-
cape Of moisture from the soil into the
atmosphere. as win be seen later, which.
OF course. on all soils. particularly those
OF . sandy character, is detrimental 70
the securing or a good yield. The crust
ing OF our soils is accentuated by the
absence OF a sufficient amount OF vege-
table matter to hold them in a friable
condition. This was recently illustrated
In small garden where the land is OF
a cla<ey character. but had been made
unusually rich BY heavy applications of
yard manure worked into the surface OF
The ground Frequent showers caused
other sections OF the garden not so treat
I'd 70 crust so completely as 10 reduce,
and in some Instances quite prevent the
termination Of small seeds like carrots
and okra- On the specially treated area
the Son remained quite friabIe, though
this. OF course is not an excuse for
iessening the frequent stirring OF the
surface so as to retain the moisture
which falls as rain and stimulate the
growth OF the crop. forcing the food
laden water OF the soil through the It's
sues OF the crop. The value of such q
practice may be Witnessed on any plan
tation in Georgia or in the south where
enough trouble is taken to make an ex-
pertinent OF the character mentioned Re-
alizing that witnessing a demonstration
brings conviction in more forceful
manner than can otherwise be secured
II Is hoped that a large number viii
make the test for themselves
As already noted. the crusting OF the
ground which occurs after every rair
Is fatal 70 securing a uniform stand OF
even corn. cotton and cowpeas. and II
Il be true OF these large seeded plants
what hope Is there for those OF smaller
and rather minute character. The Sc
curing OF a perfect stand has much 70
do with determining the yield. Every
effort should be bent, therefore, to aid
the seeds TO break through the surface
OF the ground. wnlch may be accom-
plished by stirring the soil Immediately
after every rain OF course. this does
not mean working It while II Is wet. but
Il does mean the stirring of the surfacs
as quickly as can be done without pud-
ding the. land. For instance. many
stand Of cotton VIII be imperfect ths
present year and some farmers may
nave to replant because a heavy crus'
has been permitted to form on the
ground and no attempt made 10 break It
Good practice would be 10 run some
thing ike a fine tooth weeder or other
shallow understanding implement over
The ground as soon as practicable after
every rainfall This not only breaks the
-rust. but Il destroys thousands Of weed
seeds which are in a terminating condi-
lion II closes up the pores OF the soil
and as Il were seals the water into Il 50
+ that a good part Of II must OF necessity
find its way out through the crop which
may be growing on il rather than beinr
lost directly into the air. Since many
aeld crops remove from the soil more
than 700 tons of water per acre. it 1.
easy u see the Importance n breaking
The crust as indicated Few people re-
alize the tremendous loss OF moisture into
the atmosphere Immediately following 4
rainfall in which the crust remains un-
broken. and IL Is quite as essential that
the soil be well supplied with moisture
before termination as afterward as 4
takes moisture 70 start the seed and aid
n the. Preventative changes which ars
essential to the development Of the en-
bryo in the young plant
The amount OF water required BY crops
suring their vegetation period is mucf
IN excess OF the general belief. which
emphasizes further the Importance o.
persistent surface cultivation. Moreover
where this method OF practice Is follow
ID. the soil is kept in friabIe and oper
condition on top and every rain tina
falls penetrates more readily and quick
" than would otherwise be the case
thus q much larger per cent OF the mois
.ture IS absorbed into the soil and
smaller quantity lost in the runoff The
more that is absorbed the less wiz be ths
tendency TO washing and erosion. and thil
Is q very important matter. slnSe tn,
nnest and most friable part OF the sol
~1s near the surace and IL contains tn,
largest amount OF plant food in a quick
~ available FORM hence anything tina
nay be done 20 increase its ability 4
absorb and hold water and lessen wash
ng has q very important bearing OF
srop production.
IN a word. therefore. the practice o.
every good farmer should be 10 keep tn
.rust broke and after termination, ans
70 stir the soil as late into the sea
son as possible with all intertilled crops
such as corn and cotton Where thii
method OF practice is pursued the croI
On the average viii Invariably be in
creased. the soil maintained in bettel