American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1912-12-26
GROWING FRUITS AND TRUCK
Extracts Taken From Address peIiv
cred BY Hon. Sam n. Dixon Before
Texas Dry Farming Congress.


There are certain fundamental fart
x plant development that are as fxe
as the stars. They are these: Plant
eat. plants drink. and plants breathe
In discussing the methods necessar
to grow fruit and vegetables unde
dry-farming conditions, these fact
should be emphasized. Plants canno
live without water. Water is neces
sary to plant life as 1t is to animal life
some plants. however. require NOR,
water than others.
In launching out into fruit or yere
table growing in this section, wher,
the rainfall is scant, one of the frs
things that should command our en
ergfes is the proper preparation O,
the soil for the retention of the mois
ture that is precipitated dur ing the
season OF rainfall. A large amoun Of
moisture is demanded by the plant
Inc area of the soil in which each
plant rootlet grows Is small and the
process by which the r~ootlets take 1,
Is SO slow that 1t requires an enor.
nous root surface to do the work.
ms, then, suggests the necessity OF
preparing a good seeded, that the
rootiets may penetrate the spaces be.
tween the soil particles with the least
resistance. 1t is the minutest root
hairs which branch out from the
thread-like fibers that constitute the
chief absorbing surface of the roots.
These minute DOT hairs drink in the
soil water and supply the plant with
its moisture.
Moisture in the soil is not only nee
essary to the we'll being of the plant
in supplying it with driking water,
but it is necessary to create the cor
rect condition of the soil. The plant
foods in the soil are made available to
the plant rootlets by action of mois-
ture. This food is consumed by the
plant In a fluid form only. Thus, mois-
ture Is absolutely essential to enable
the plant rootlets to avail themselves
of 1t. This is another important rea-
son why we should SO manipulate the
soil as to conserve soil moisture.
There is another Important factor
In the scheme of conservation that
we cannot afford to overlook in grow
ing fruits and vegetables under dry
farming conditions. 1t is so important
that our soil experts consider its abb
sence with alarm. l refer to the neces-
sity of soil humus. l do not refer to
humus as contributing fertility to the
soil, but to its power to improve the
soils texture and to assist in maintain
Ing soil moisture.
To succeed tn growing any character
of crops where there is not an abun-
dance of moisture In the soil the SUD
of the soil with humus must be
with blowing of the land
In planning to conserve the moisture
for its utilization by the plant root
let's. Humus benefits the soil in many
One of its greatest benefits is
improving of the soils texture.
mold gives our sandy soils more
body" and makes it less leachy. Add
leaf mold to stiff clay soils that clod
md crack in the field and it becomes
porous and works well. One way
of timing the soil and hence of in.
its productive power, is to
improve its texture by adding humus.
Humus is the food of microscopic
life in the sof1, and the waste products
IT this microscopic life Is an essen
ial to food plant. Humus confers upon
he soil the power to hold moisture.
soils without humus dry out quickly.
There may be an abundance of plant
God IN the soil. but it is useless for the
being II there is not enough mois.
ure to dissolve 1t and carry it to the
liant through the little hair-like root.
cts which absorb 1t.
Success in growing fruit trees and
in a dry climate depends
lmost exclusively on SO treating the
oil as to conserve the moisture. This
only be done by proper blowing In
he fall and winter months. The land
hould be plowed deep and not allowed
o dry out. Follow this blowing with
he harrow to smooth the surface.
lever permit the surface to crack or
,rm a crust. Pillow shallow after each
ain. Let the harrow follow the pillow
hen the surface is just moist. This
jill form a soil much that will hold
he moisture beneath It. Land treated
l this way will remain moist enough
, readily terminate the seed planted
! 1t. Cultivation should be continu.
us after the crop begins to grow, but
ever deep.
II the farmers in the semi-arid re-
ions will fill their soils with humus
nd treat this soil so as to
moisture and cultivate frequently
nd thoroughly, they will produce an
bundant yield.
Make Every Acre Pay.
Drv farminp coc h. ,,x;,,.