The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-01-16
AGRICULTURAL
Report Of Adviser to Improve
ment Association.


cultural Association; 1t does not seem
inappropriate at the beginning Of the
new year to submit a report s the OFF,
GERS Of the association which wiz give
prospectus OF the prospects Of last
year and the incoming one, in an en-
deayor to grasp some Of the basic agri-
cultural problems Of the county, par
ticularly that OF soil improvement.
From the very frst it was evi-
dent that our soils and conditions pre-
sented problems which were in meas
ure different from those of other sec
tions OF the State. Even in the various
sections of our own county the needs
were manifestly local in their nature.
For example, it was found from
somewhat extensive review of the aver
age farmers opinions OF subsoiling
that wide difference of belief existed.
Some condemned it as not economical,
while others enthusiastically approved
it. This difference Of opinion was found
not only from different stations but on
adjoining farms. 1t was due either to
defective observation or to a variety OF
soil conditions. In either case exact
results, measured in bushels and pounds,
were necessary to determine whether it
should be adopted or rejected as a gem
eral practice. The same was true Of
others as fundamental in their nature.
With these facts in mind it seemed
best to adopt two distinct lines Of pro-
cedure, the first to be experimental in
its nature by conducting definite and
accurate tests Of the practices in ques-
ton; the second to be demonstrational
by giving out as rapidly as possible those
,unquestionable facts of nature land
therefore agriculture which in the end
all men must respect and observe in
whatsoever section they may live. The
mere tillage Of an acre OF corn is one
one Of the least Of these.
To illustrate, everyone agrees that
PHOSPHORUS is an essential element OF
plant food obtained only from the-soil.
Neither plants nor animals can be born
or live without it. Morever, it exists in
rich soils in quantities insufficient to
supply the needs OF continuous crops
"Shall apply phosphate to my land?'
inquiries someone. There is room for
doubt, depending upon conditions. But
there is no room for doubt that we shall
in the future be forced to an importa-
tion of phosphate If our present prac-
tice continues. Is it not as important,
then, to look we'll to the conservation of
plant food as it is to think about inn
porting it. This policy about conserva-
ton every farmer not only can but
ought to adopt by selling from his. farm
those crops containing the smaller
amounts OF plant foods, taking into
account their relative money value.
Hence we could not go wrong by spread
ing knowledgeo OF the analysis OF crops,
of better and more live stock, and suita
bic rotations, as measures to the policy
of conservatism.
The purpose here is to give only a
brief review Of each line Of work. In
order to make the necessary expert
mental tests, we we're compelled to have
funds for their support. It seemed fair
that they should come from the COM
munity in which the tests were located
Therefore we published this offer An
experiment field will be given to any
community which will provide three
acres Of level, uniform land, well fenced,
and nearNa school, and the necessary
labor Of plowing, discing etc. The
will give seeds and fertilizer
for the tests and supervise them through
the agricultural adviser, who will meet /
With the farmers for discussion Of the
results.
Several fields were planned and started
last fall on this basis and the interest
shown and apparent results are very
Arrangements are ALMOST
complete for several more to be started
10 the spring at other points.
The methods used il making these
tests are almost identical with those OF
the Tennessee Experiment Station for
similar tests. The field is divided into
stnalI plots receiving various treat
ments, which furnish comparisons of
varieties Of crops, methods Of soil man
agement. including fertilizers, lime,
green mature, tillsge. etc, also meth
DDS of handling crops, including rota-
lions, dates Of sowing. etc Accurate
auantitatiye knowledge oi these ques-