Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-04-08
SHALLOW
CULTIVATION
BY JOHN H. PAGE,
Commissioner of Agriculture.

l hope the farmers in Arkansas
VIII pay lots of attention to shallow
cultivation this year. Hundreds OF
them are following that plan, while
thousands OF them are not. Let those
who do not watch the success OF
those who do. Shallow cultivation is
easier on man and beast, and they
can both cultivate more land tina,
way, and besides that method is the
best.
Shallow cultivation is only a means
to an end. 1t has two purposes. The
first is to keep the play tools out
from among the small growing roots
after they get to growing. The roots
feed the plants, and they cant do 1t
well if they are torn to pieces and
have to re-adjust themselves after
every blowing. The second is to
keep the moisture in the ground to
make the crops grow. Of course
when there is plenty of rain all dur
ing tn season it does not make
much difference.
BY cultivating shA11ow with side
harrows and light tools we keep the
dirt for an inch or more on top we'll
pulverized, and if it is a dry season
it will make a dust Or what is called
adjust mulch. Where there is a
covering of dust the moisture from
below will not evaporate through t..
Where the soil is deep cultivated and
the loose, moist earth is thrown up
where the sun can shine on it, the
moisture will evaporate.
To experiment, take two empty
fruit jars after they have been chill
ed by being kept in an ice box for
several hours. Place one upside
down in the dust in the road. AS the
sun shines on it drops of water will
form around the edge on the ground,
and when you pick it up there will
be wet circle or ring in the dust,
marking where the edge of the mouth
of the jar sat. You will note that
the moisture does not penetrate
through the top dust into the ground.
Then take the other jar and place
it on the ground some where in the
field where there is no dus.. covering.
When you pick up the jar you will
note that the moisture has not been
confined to the edges, but has been
absorbed by the entire circle. This
will prove to you that the moisture
will not evaporate through the dust
blanket, but will through the ground
where it is not.
Alfalfa Experiments.
have a sack of sweet clover seed
sent to my by the Bokhara Seed Com
pany of Falmouth, KY, for distri-
button. AS long as it lasts l will
send out in half pound packages to
the farmers who want to try it. Re-
member, only one package to one
farmer, first come first served. The
time to plant is here so hurry If you
want some of the seed.
: The demand for cotton and corn
seed was SO much greater than the
supply that 1 was unable to supply
all who applied, and I trust those
who faile dto receive package Will
appreciate this fact.
The Arkansas Fertilizer company
has kindly agreed to furnish free 200
pounds of ground lime stone for the
farmers who are going to make the
alfalfa experiment, and the ship
ments will be made in short time.
l made neffort to get some OF the
larger railroads to ship it free, but
was unsuccessful. I have arranged
with the Homeward Nitrogen com
pany New York, to furnish Tree the
incoculation culture. This Will be
sent out just before time to SOW, In
order to have it fresh. l hope the
farmers will get the best results pos
sible in this experiment.