The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-22

Its proper conservation Is a problem Of
pubic concern.
The soil is productive just in proper
ton as II is able to meet the needs Of
plants for Their best growth. These
needs are diverse. including food, water.
oxyg,n n, heat light. physical support ana
sanitation. With one exception. llgat.
these requirements are largely met 10y
the mechanism and the const!tut on Of
the soil This Is accomplished 10y three
interacting properties Of the soil its
physical nature, its chemical cons .!tu-
ton and Its bio 'og,Cal activity Each OF
these groups has many variations. " iCh
react upon and largely affect the other
two divisions; so that the maintenance
Of fertility, the ultimate rational aim
OF all agriculture. presents m exceed
ingly complex array of problems In
farm practice the SOL Is changed for the
better or for the worse by "A aumber 81
treatments, such as manuring. app.ca.
| lions OF lime, ti.lage, drainage and ferti-
| lizers. Intelligent soil management in
wolves the treatment, OF the SOL by the
most convenient and economic methods
such that the desired change In It's
character will result, The findings of
the laboratory must be Translated into
| terms OF farm practice and reduced to
the simplest form for the gulda nce of
the busy tiller OF the soil. taking into
account the normal nature of the soil,
the requirements Of plants and the linn
tations OF farm practice.
| The accompanying diagram. issued by
| the New York state College OF Agricul.
| ture. Ithaca. n. Y, represents the es-
| sential factors to be observed In any
h,,n ,.r. 49,,
the form OF a monument. The condI-
tons represented by these courses are
arranged. beginning at the base. In the
| order OF their breadth Of influence on
! the properties of the SOL. They are also
arranged 40 that one set of conditions
will contribute most to the efficiency OF
the conditions represented by succeed
Ing courses:
I. Soil MISUNDERSTANDING all other
things pertaining to the fertility OF the
soil IL the proper regulation Of the
moisture supply. II determines the
solution Of plant food. the physical con-
ditiOn OF the soil, the efficiency Of t!llage,
the effect Of fertilizers and the biologi-
cal activity. II Is therefore rhe flrst
thing to ,,e adjusted. This may involve
| Irrigation. a. In arid sections. or It may
necessitate drainage. a. In New York
| Always. however. Il means the proper
hadlins Of the soil In order to conserve
and effectively use the water received
| and stored therein. Large areas Of land
| In New York require better drainage.
particularly Of the smbsoil.
2. Ltme.-Lime stands second In range
| Of Importance. II maintains the proper
balance between the acid and the basic
constituents OF the soil. As result Of
tillaKe and cropping soils may become
| more acid. = condition unfavorable to
most Of the important farm crops.
Lime y best suited TO counteract this
| tendency. II may be used In different
forins. depending Of the local situation
Of the farm
| .. OrOonto matter. OF hSmSs.-The
maintenance OF fair amount of decay
Ing organic matter 10 essential because
" the nitrogen which It contains and
which In most economically secured by
the aid OF certain soil bacteria and legu-
minous crops. and because of It's many
beneficial physical effects on the soil It's
Increase 10 accomplished. according 10
circumstances by means Of large crop
residuss to which rotation ana inocula-
ton contribute. by the use Of stock
manure and BY the utilization Of green
manure crops.
l. Tvlla0s-Tillags. deep and thor
ssGA stiss cd aass he soal iaeor.