Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1912-05-02

v convinced that no method of eXcav.
,ting the hole i'll which to plant a
Young tree is so economical, quick, OF
productive of desirable after-results
as blasting with dynamite.
Sometime ago it was the prevailing
idea that dynamite was unnecessary for
tree plating unless the soil CHANGED to
be underlaid with hardpan, in which
case the explosive was regarded as val
\ liable for breaking through the hard
soil. 1t has been found by experiment,
= however, that trees thrive better when
planted in blasted holes than in hand
dug holes, even when no hardpan is
encountered.
The explanation of this is simple. 1t
is because the explosion of the dyna-
mite loosens up the soil for yards
around the spot, kills all grubs, worms
or other animal life likely to injure the
young tree and thus makes root growth
easy; whereas, digging the hole with
tools tends to pack the earth around
the roots and retard their growth.
Scientific agriculturists have discov
cred that water is the most important
element in all kinds of plant growth.
Soil which is Of the natural consistency
to allow water to circulate freely
through it and still retain or conserve
it so that it is available at all times for
growing plants, may be considered as
ideal for agricultural purposes. Few
soils possess this natural consistency.
Other soils, which may be classified as
good, average, or fair, must have arti-
fetal preparation in order to make them
produce the results that may be expect
ed from the rarely found perfect natur-
al soil.
Few persons understand the principle
of plant growth. 1t is not necessary, as
many suppose, that the root of a plant
shall come in actual contact with all of
the plant food elements of the soil
needed for the sustenance of the plant
or tree. Plant roots have the power to
draw from the surrounding soil the
necessary elements of plant food, pro-
vided the soil is of such character as
to permit the passage of these elements
through 1T. Water or moisture is the
carrier of these plant food elements
through the soil and into the plant
roots. This will indicate the import
ance of porous soil which will permit
the free passage of water through it in
order that plants growing upon the sur
face may be properly nurtured for
rapid and healthy growth, and it is be-
cause the action of an explosive on soil
causes it to become thoroughly loosened
and aerated that trees planted in blast
ed holes show so much stronger and
healthier growth than trees planted un-
der the old conditions.
In order to give those who may not
understand the subject an idea of the
scientific principles of plant growth, !
will quote Mr.. w. J. Spillman, agrieul
turist in charge of Farm Management
Investigations, Bureau of Plant Indus
tries, U. 5. Department of Agriculture.
He SAYS i'll a recent bulletins:
Plant food is dissolved in water.
While a plant is growing, constant
stream OF water flows up through it
and evaporates at its leaves. For |
every pound of increase in dry matter
made by the plant, from 800 to 500
pounds of water flow up through it.
"Plants in their growth, make use of
thirteen elements, nine of which they
secure directly from the soil These
Ire called the mineral plant foods.
They are PHOSPHORUS, potassium, cal
'ium, magnesium, sodium, iron, silica,
'hlOrin and sulphur. Soil consists main
y Of small particles of rock. Nearly
I'll kinds contain more or less Of these
mineral plant foods. Every year the
oil water dissolves off thin surface
aver from each particle and plants ap-
'ropriate this water, thus securing their
mineral plant food. Hydrogen, another
Important element of plant food, is
llso secured from water.
'In order to produce ton of hay
IN. an acre of land, it is necessary that
he growing grass pump up from that
ground approximately 500 tons of
water: In order to supply this enor-
nous quantity of water, the soil must
lot only be in a condition to absorb
Ind hold water well, but must be Dor.
,us enough to permit water to flow
RELY through it.
elm addition to acting as water
.arrier for plant life, soil must permit
! proper circulation of air through it.
Jealry half Of the volume of ordinary
oils is occupied by air spaces. Soil
which becomes so compact as to stop
he air passages, is too wet for most
rops and needs drainage, for plant