The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-12-27
RY ISAAC L, TOTEM,

| Many advertisers who look to the
agriculturist for patronage, print and
distribute large quantities of literature
which is purely of an educational ma
ture. This method of advertising al
though indirect, is, in most cases.
more effective than the direct, ham
mer and tongs style.
! If we can be shown through logical
reasoning that the use of certain
commodity, the use of some labor and
time saving device, or the following of
given practise will be to our advan-
tage and profit we WILL as general
rule, be more readily induced to use
that commodity, to use that labor and
time saving device, and to follow the
given practice than we would if sud-
denly confronted with the statement
that if we did not do as the advertis-
err says we are ignorant and fit only
for the junk pile.
Much of this educational literature
which the advertisers send out has no
suggestions in it whatever of an adver-
Using nature. 1t is usually written by
those who are thoroughly conversant
in the practical as we'll as in the the
oretical sides of the subject handled
For instance, those who wish to ap-
peal to the farmer by the educational
method, have articles prepared by the
very best authorities on subjects per.
tanning to successful farm practice
During the past month, the writer
has received two little booklets which
we believe every farmer in this coun.
ty would be pleased to have to per.
use. One of these booklets has the ii.
tie of THE Essentials of Soil Ferti-
ity" and the other has the title. For
Better Crops" The former is distrib-
uted by the freight department of the
Pennsylvania Railroad. and the latter
by the Richmond Division of the Inter-
national Harvester Company of Amer
| lea. Both of these may be procured
gratis.
The little booklet on "The Essen
tials of Soil Fertility" is written by Al
va Agee, NJ. S., Professor of Agricul-
ture Extension. Pennsylvania State
College. Professor Agee' takes up the
subject under the four essentials:
/
of Lime; Organic Matter; and Availa-
BILE Plant Food.
| Just before he takes up the details
| of his subject Prof. Agee says: Some
scientists may say, with fine conser-
,, vatism, that we do not know that there
is any soil acidity. any actual soil ex-
haustion, any direct need of plant food
in fertilizer What of it! The owner
of land has living to make, and all he
has to do is to brush aside the cob
, webs of the ultra-scientific soul and
make the soil productive. The factors
are four in number, and he may supply
all, or only one, two, or three. The
land must have drainage, freedom
from acids. organic matter and plenty
of available plant food. Then it will
produce despite all theories.
The big problem is to do what is
needed in the most profitable way.
What will pay? That is the question.
If land must be cropped. it will Pay to
provide the four essentials, if all four
are lacking. Is it drainage? How much
and in what way shall We drain? Is it
soil acidity? When and how heavily
shall we lime? Is it organic matter?
How can We set it to the best advan-
tage That involves crop rotations, the
making of manures, etc, etc. Is it
available plant food that we must
have? What proportion and what
amounts of the elements of plant food
will pay best? The problem is one of
tn best means, but we know what We
are after: Drainage, sweet soil condi-
tons, organic matter and plant food"
Under the heading of drainage Of
Wet Land" Prof. Agee takes up the
subject of: Beginning to drain, the
first thing to do, the outlet, the grade,
depth of undertakings, laying the
tile and size of tile.
Regarding the soils, he deals with:
How to sweeten the soil, how much
lime to use, in what form to use it.
how to apply it and how to view linn
ling.
In taking up the subject OF "OrK2nic