The farmer and mechanic., 1911-11-07
PROF. MASSEY'S ADVICE TO FARMERS

ory is based on practical experience
(and what is better in the suhstantia-
ton of any theory than practical ex-
perience? Nothing. 10 De sure)
Now. we have all had experiences
We know that certain effects follow
certain causes. Moreover, we instinc-
lively assign some cause for every eff
feet. Frequently without taking the
trouble to investigate the fact on
which our conclusions are based. Ad-
mitting that all facts are covered hy
some theory, one should always check
his theory by his facts and strive 70
bring his facts in line with the cor
rect theory. We often sustain loss
by assigning the wrong cause 10 an
observed effect.
The farmers referred To above
plOwed the green manure under
planted the crop and received no re-
turn. There was some cause, 10 be
sure, for the failure of the crop. Some
one guessed the green stuff soured the
soil and further investigation was
generally thought useless. Some adj
vised the use Of lime to correct this
acid condition. Few farmers, how
ever, were disposed to buy enough
lime to correct the large amount of
acid they could imagine would be
developed in the decay OF SO large an
amount of green manure plowed un-
der. The result was that they did not
use the green manure, fearing the
detrimental effects on the soil and
the land has remained poor for lack
Of humus to this day
Now, what really happens when a
heavy crop Of green manure is turn
ed into the land? In order to make
the explanation clear we will have to
prlng 10 our aid a few terms and
fundamental principles of physics but
these are simple and easily under
stood.
Fiji lamp full of oil, put the wick
IN 1t and note what happens. The oil
DeS1nS to rise in the wick and finally
reaches the top. The oil will continue
to rise in the wick till every drop is
taken out of the bowl Of the lamp
The Oil in the lamp bowl is called
graduation Oil; that in the wick is
called capillary Oil. The rain falls on
the land and gravitation pulls it down
several feet below the surface This
IS called gravitation water When the
sun shines this same water begins to
climb up between the fine particles
OF soil just as the oil climbs the wick,
and continues to climb until it reaches
the surface, where it is dried up by
the sun just as the oil is burned away
by the flame. This is called capillary
water. This capillary water continues
TO rise to the surface of the soil until
every drop is taken out Of the sub
soil and dispensed into the air as
vapor.
No farmer would hope to grow a
crop with the water in the first six
inches of soil only. He expects the
moisture to rise to the surface from
depths ranging from three to five feet
below.
Now, let US cut the lamp wick in
two and let the two pieces come
within 1-16 inch of each other At
the same time we will put a wide thin
board six inches below the surface Of
the soil Let the lamp burn and let
the sun shine on the soil and see what
happens. You have found that your
oil did not rise above the cut place
IN the wick and your lamp has gone
out, While there was an abundance
OF Oil In the bowl. You have found
also that the six inches Of soil above
the board is dry as dust while that
is quite moist under the board Why?
Because the air space cut off the rise
OF Oil in the wick and the solid board
cut on the rise Of moisture from the
great reservoir below to the six inches
OF soil above it.
But what has this to do with the
souring Of the land? Nearly every
thing. The phenomenon called the
-souring of the soir' is nearly always
based on the principles outlined
above. Instead Of using the board let
US ploW under a six or eight ton crop
| or green clover or cowpeas, eight or
ten inches deep. Let this mass Of
vegetation lie during the month of
August, say, then examine it after a
not, dry period Of ten days or two
weeks and see what has occurred.
You might use some blue Htmus pa
per and test for acid If there is an
appreciate amount OF acid present
you will get a red color in the litrnus
~ 10
vines and examine the soil just below
also examine carefully the eight or
ten inches Of soil just above the mass
OF vines. Your Gtnus will not likely
De eoIored at ali because you are not
hkely to find any acid, but You will
| find the soil just below the vines as
wet as mud, perhaps, while the eight
or ten inches On top ef the vines will