Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1913-08-20
ALEssoN FROM THE DRoUTHs

The observing American farmer should have
learned valuable lesson from the drouth which
has prevailed over portions Of the country during
the past thirty days Il may be true that We may
never be able TO entirely overcome drouths
ducfu effects on the growing crops bat enough
is known about soil management to lead rs to
conclude that the heavy loss resulting from It can
be partly overcome II the farmer will apply the
knowledge OF soil management he possesses.
There arc certain fundamental principles In soil
management which every farmer should under
stand and apply IN crop production 1t is not ne
ce,sary for u. to discuss all these principles to il
us,rate the needs for their application.
The first and most important Of these is the
proper preparation Of the land In this oonnec-
ton We will observe that IN preparing land for
the growing crop that preparation should con
template the possibility OF drouth Failure to
do this has caused untld loss to the American
farmer The soil is a chemical laboratory
Changes arc always taking place IN II IN obedience
to natural laws quietly and mcthodcally yet
with results so lar reaching that we can hardly
grasp their significance. These chemical changes
are effected by the methods We employ haudl
ing the soil The farmer should keep the sod lab.
ora,ory IN excellent working order This he can
do by giving careful attention to thi'e principles
Of good farming which he understands but often
negects.
Every farmer who has given any thought TO
the question OF soil preparation for crop produc
ton knows that the amount OF water held by
depends largely upon the character OF the upper
two or three feet Of surface soil and that # tins
surface soil is broken or looscncd the water from
rains is stored there tor future use OF the crop
This surface soil can only hc broken by deep
blowing No, only is blowing necessary W stor.
ing water bu, 1t increases the capacity of the soil
10 hold water and is the bcs, means of prevent.
ing the evaporation Of water already IN the soil
King. ono of our most reliable cxpcrmcntes and
writers. says on this subject In the conservo-
ton Of soil moisture by u.larc there is mo- way OF
developing soil much more effective than that
which Is produced by "a tool workln. m the man
ner Of a pillow. 10 completely remove a layer OF
soil and lay II down again. bottom side up 10
loose condition
While proper preparation ot sor ct the
gravest importance m ovcrcomlng aII the horrors
ineiden, to a drouth. It b. not al, hy any means
After preparation and storage OF water 10 must be-
protected from evaporation that % may serve ihe
ron when needed And here rs where culture
cut. an important part Cultivation IS done Dot
alone to keep down the growing weeds and
grasses bu, to keep the soil in proper chemical
condition. TO assist in conserving soil moisture to
l5eratc plant food. and to make the conditions
favorable for the operations OF bacteria a sys
tenn Of crop culture tina, will accomplish these cs.
,enual thing. will largely overcome The effect OF
drouth. provided the land has been properly
prepared before planting season Houston
Post,