Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-17
SOILS CONDITION
MOST IMPORTANT
maintenance of Fertility Great
est Problem the Farmer
Has to Face.
SAYS INSTITUTE SPEAKER
n. sbbott % Morrisc1 and c. C.
Pervier o. Sheffield Heard at
Pert Byron Meeting.

Application OF limestone and rock
-.,sphate and proper rotation to keep
- supply 81 humus and of nitrogen
:, we're declared the three leading es-
ss-tials In conservation OF soil fertil-
~ by s. y Abbott Of Morrison.
.,sskinc % ;he opening OF the Rock
rst.d county farmers institute at
~ Byron yesterday afternoon. Con
ss-ving Cf soil fertility, he said. is
- uost important matter before the
ssople OF the United States. and espe-
ssny o. Illinois. for upon Il depends
re food supply OF the nation and
s.iie and food is the leading neces-
s.-v Of mankind.
Nr Abbott is one Of the leaders in
agricultural thought in the state. He
Z farmer and a successful one, has
ssen for some years a member and
cad OF tile state board OF agriculture.
sud. Incidentally. has been a member
q the lower house OF the legislature.
Perhaps No one IS better fitted than
ss TO speak with authority on agri-
cultural topics.
The speaker deplored the wasteful-
rsss Of the American farmer all along
he line. but especially in the vital
;ualities OF the soil. One need not 20
70 the older nations nor even 10 the
sasteru states. said he. TO find all the
evidence he requires 20 prove that
soil fertility is not ineXhausible. There
ire sixteen or eighteen counties in
The southern part OF this state In
Ehich whole sections OF land have
Seen abandoned for agricultural pur-
poses and now can be bought at from
80 20 $50 an acre-land which lies just
a. favOrably for the uses OF the farm
- as any hereabout and which Is IA
Tored with equal moisture and more
sunshine. II will take outside capital,
z the opinion Of Mr. Abbott. 10 bring
his land back 20 productiveness. for
+ will be n slow and costly opera
ton
State Leads World.
There Is. however. encouragement 7
Il the fact that Illinois leads the
world in the study and Investigation 4
o, the soils. and the people are gradu-
ally being taught what il is necessary I
,or them 10 do. The results OF the
.tate soil survey. which is now hall /.
completed. when finished will place in
tie hands o. the public the exact
snowlsdge OF conditions. together
nth Instructions which will make IL
possible for all 10 join in the work OF
restoring the sell of the state TO its
original condition
The work Of upbuilding calls espe-
rislly for lime 10 overcome acidity.
phosphorus ami nitrogen, the last in
roduced throU Oh the growing OF Glow
q or other legumes. Some soils, es
vecizlly those which are peaty, re-
guire potassium. Mr. Hopkins told oil
the proper way TO purchase and use
the mineral fertilizers and advised a
rotation, which will give satisfactory
results. He said II is possible to
build Up any soil in the state so that
Z VII produce what is known as the
maximum yield. which is 100 bushels
0. corr. 100 bushels OF oats, so bush
ss Of wheat and four tons Of clover
psr acre
Persier Talks Of Swine.
The other speaker Of the afternoon ,
vas c. c. Pervier Of Sheffield. also !,
TACTICAL farmer and an expert in ,
ilestions pertaining 70 live stock, :
Eaeh was the subject he discussed. -,
Hs paid particular attention TO swine !
EoEing, in which he has had unusual {