The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-12-08
FARMING WITH DYNAMITE
Government and Colleges Investigating
This New Method of TiIIage


At the agricultural department the ex-
periments being conducted in various
portions of the country under the di-
rection OF the agricultural colleges oil
different states, in farming with dyna-
mite" are. being watched with great in.
terest. A preliminary report has just
issued from the census department
showing that there are $50 great ferti-
lizing producing concerns in the coun-
try, and that in 1909 the value of their
productions was sos, 800, oO0.EIf the
theory attached to the use of dynamite
in agricultural pursuits is found to be
correct. and the Du Pont Company is
evidently so sure OF it that they are
spending large sums to prove their
claims, then all this great outlay fol
fertilizers will be unnecessary. 1t is
pointed out that in ordinary blowing
the same old soil is merely turned over
only few inches from the surface yeal
after year, and a decrease is averted
only by rotation or expensive fertilizing.
The theory OF farming with dynamite Is
that by planting sticks of dynamite al
regular intervals Of space, and explod-
ing them, that the underlying soil is
disturbed TO a depth Of several feet,
making it porous and capable of absorb
ing 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 plant as needed for Its
growth, carrying with it not only mois-
ture but necessary soluble fertilizing
elements. In the cotton fields OF the
south, production has been multiplied
several times over from blowing with
dynamite, while increases of thirty-three
percent are reported from corn fields
Melon patches also show remarkably
increased yields. ]. H. Hale, the
great orchardist from Connecticut, ha!
become a convert to the scheme, ane
has planted thousands OF trees with dy
Mantle, with surprising results. Illus
stations have been received here show
ing how the use of dynamite permit
the roots of fruit trees to take their nat
ural downward course into the lowe
stratas of soil in which plenty OF plan
food elements are available, and tn
developments of the trees planted wit
dynamite, and without, in the sam
orchards demonstrates more than any
thing else the success Of the experl
ment. Cornell University is authorit
for the statement that trees properl
planted can absorb 90 percent OF tn
moisture surrounding them, and wher
the underlying soil is especially pre-
pared for this purpose it is not strang
that photographers prove that trees Sc
out in land prepared by dynamite loo
fully 100 percent more healthy, AM
are much more productive in three Q
four years, than the trees set out i
plots where the cramped roots proven
healthy growth. In the wooded sec
tons of the country the settlers dis
covered for themselves many years ag
that few sticks Of dynamite could bes
all the patent stump pullers in the IN
iverse. The agricultural department
was the last to be convinced, but MI
Wilson'S bureau has finally acknoW
lodged that there is no question abou
this-just as they are going to wake u
TO the more wonderful discovery OF tn
practicability of farming with dynamit
when there is no longer any questio
about it. Now that congress is abou
TO reassemble it has been suggeste