The record., 1913-11-20
VALUE OF FALL FLOWING.

In this day of modern farm
ing. scientific agriculture some
call it, we hear and read much
on the advantages of fall plow-
ing. la some sections where
modern farming is practiced by
the best farmers we see much of
the fall plowing as a part of the
regular seasons work. 1t is a
practice that seems to be grow
ing steadily and because Of this
fact there must be some good
reason for it.
I'm looking over Muhlenberg
county find that here and there
Il farmer is doing some fall plow-
| ing and others are planning to do
some. This is as it should be, for
large crops seldom if ever come
/ by chance. OF course we must
realize that 40 two farms can, or
should he. worked exactly alike,
. for each farm has Il certain in
dividuality, as ii were. that must
he always kept in mind. The
trouble with most farmers and
farm systems is that they seem
to be trying to adapt the farm to
themselves, rather than them
selves to the farm. Yet there
are certain fundamental princi-
pies which will apply anywhere
or on any farm and fall plowing
is one of these principles.
The main object Of fall break
ing is that it increases crop pro-
duction. This is due in a great
measure by the ability of the
open soil to retain moisture of
the winter rains. While at the
same time it helps to destroy
the hihernating crop pests that
are SIS destructive during the
growing season. Fall plowing
also serves to increase the fer
tility, by enabling the farmer to
plow under the green weed anC
corn stalks and all other trash
that would otherwise remain or
the surface. to rot, forming s
certain amount of humus. Al
the same time it enables the all
to circulate freely in the soil
helping the soil bacteria to rem
der available some Of the insol.
uabie plant foods for the coming
season.
The long drawn out drought
of this last summer should carry
a lesson to the farmer. 1t Ger
tainly should convert the mar
who does not believe in moderr
methods, the necessity of thi.
work in order to store up water
that comes from the winter ant
spring rains, for the growth o
crops next summer.
Experiments Of the moistur,
in the soil, by King show tina
as late as May II, fall ploweC
ground may contain fully
pounds per square foot NOR,
water in the upper four fee
than similar adjacent grount
not plowed. This differenc,
represents a rain fall of IL;
Inches. This one fact that i
saves moisture for summer us,
should appeal to the farmer
Yet, in some sections of thi
county fall plowing, without
cover crop, would do very little
good and in many cases woult
be a distinct harm.
In fields that are worn having
very few if any sod roots. o.
where it is not practical to hav,
cover crop. fall plowing woul(
be a distinct disadvantage. If th'
| field is located on a hillside, fal
plowing would cause washing
and would mean a loss in tn,
next seasons yield. But OF
all bottom land, fall plowins
would be a great advantage
for the sod would be we'll rottet
by spring. In all cases, fal
plowing should be followed b.
some winter cover crop having
the power of looking up tn,
soluable plant foods preventing
them from being lost by leach
ing during the winter.
Then too, if fall plowing i
practiced it is much better OIL
the teams, for they are still
hardened from the summsr'
work. During these cool day