The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-05

~ A.hAsx2kAA0
II ~ far better to prevent such n con-
ditlon arising than to have to remedy
such baneful effect For this purpose
good drainage Is Of primary importance:
next. Il sweet soil and OF next import
ance is tac planting 81 crops which are
the best adaptable to the climate and
soil type.
The drainage should be sufficient to
remove all surplus water from the land,
particularly 80 for the production OF
alfalfa. Water In the most important
element for tho production OF crops.
but IL should be remembered that unless
the soil II we'll supplied with air tho
water cannot produce satisfactory re-
suits, and can even become n menace 20
| the land, because IL will change The
character of tho norr and faunp and
encourage the growth and development
OF very unfavorablc species.
The air supply should be cSsnly pro-
portioned with the water. This will help
10 keep the so. in sweet condition and
give the microscoplcsl life the most
! favorable conditions for breaking down
/ the soil particles and preparing large
quantities Of available plant foods and
! reduce the necessary amount Of art!-
/ fetal fertilization considerably. Almost
all soils have ample plant food hut II
: IL not always ~ condition that can
% quickly called upon in TIE active
growing season to take care oc the
needs OF the growing crop.
( Certain soils are more Favorable TO the
growth of particular kinds OF vegetation
than TO others and soils vary In their
composition considerably. Some are
richer IN one element than another, and
the crops that arc mos; adaptable TO
the element that Is in tho greatest
strength IN the soil will be naturally
encouraged 10 take control " the sltua-
lion. Therefore Il Is always wise IN
laying out a plan OF rotation to IN
clude in that rotation such crops as are
most adaptable 10 the plant foods that
are elaborated for their needs. other
wise IL becomes necessary 10 art!Hcially
supply the soil with the elements that
are necessary for the particular crop
70 be grown, as, for instance. lime and
potash with alfalfa and other legumes.
II il unnecessary 10 supply nitrogen,
because these valuable crops are capa-
bic OF making use .: cultures called
farmoge.m nltrogen gathering farm
germs). In soils !nsuf,icicnt.y supplied
with organic matter 1t IL sometimes
necessary 20 also supply phosphor!c
acid for this crop.
The minerals OF the so. are mostly
held n the form OF acids and alkalins
and these combine 20 form the salts or
daughter forms which are soluble In
water and make the largest part Of the
avails BILE plant foods. Too much Of one
or the other leaves the soil In an unbal-
anced chemical condition which 70 I'M
favorable for general IA ming purposes.
Too much acid prevents the growth
, OF many valuable farm crops, and until
lime liz applied To reduce the acidity OF
. tho soil & remains unproductive
when Il IS known tina, the soil "a toe
acid no time should be- los IN supplying
K with alkaline materials. such rs
potash or lime. ~ correct the condition
!, so tn. so. will bc encouraged 20 develop
favorable microscope life. and the valu-
- able feeding salts Will then hc developed
, When the acids ..i alkaleS come In
, contact with each other the reaction
between the two IL very vl1ient and
!. tends 70 destroy the unfavorable animal
forms that have been devcl Jped through
the diseased condition Of the land This
often accounts for the very valuable
+, results obtained by artificial fertliza-
= ton and It does not al result from the
!, addition OF the plant food that IS held
IA the chemical fertilizer used
, Win careful attention TO the rcpara.
a ton Of the land and maintaining IN,
soil IN n sweet state. conditions ar,
now favorable for the production 81
profitable crops. ~ course ;Acre il tn,
necessity for proper supply u air ant
o moisture.
= SO tina; the soil can give mp its plant
n foods readily 20 the grow .ng crop. ther,
q must I've some acency capable Of holdinl
: u large quantity Of water IN tA~ soil
d and this consists mainly ~ organic
n matter. /, can therefor" be- seen tina
= plentiful supply of organic matter il
@ also OF very vital Importance for III,
I. production OF farm CrnIs,
g Manure has been IN tho pas, d."
n pended upon for this purpose. bLt W,
d ind from scientific investigation tina
@ /; IL better TO depend upon cover crop
II In the fall. OF the ieguminous type, 81
that while organic matter is being prl
d duccd deeply In the soil hv tho eyowlul
. roots of the crop. n.t;ogcn = also hriu.
= produced by the action Of the cultures
& which produce n" much as from Zoo e
l,s00 pounds OF nitrate forming ma'oria
TO the acre 10 hc taken on; OF the sol
n hy the following seasons crops. aud II
the same time leaving tho soil IN q NOR
fertile condition to IuCrcGgc ~ micro
scopical life.
II the soil il We'll supplied with organi
Z matter, deeply titled 50 the air Cal
n readily enter. and the land well drained
n the conditions are favorable for IN
o production of very profitable farm orop
= OF almost any kind
" Alfalfa Is very eXact!ng as a lah
- crop on the soil Conditions. aud NAV
l. failures have been oCcasloncd hy I'll
IA lack Of Knowledge Of its uoc"s s''.r
Few consider II 10 be what Il really
al very hardy crop which will withStan
nj very unfayorahlc conditions Of the So
&. and climate When alfalfa IL one" W.
\, established Il Is ~ difficult 10 "limina'
"A II ~ GONE OF the most obnoxious weed
IA As 1t is u crop that lasts for very man
10 yenra, every attention should bee give
q. to providing Il with suitable condition
O. to get Il established,
20 The land should he well drained, dee
"a in character. So that hnrdpan Will NJ
a, Interfere with deep root development
le which In some Instances has been O'
hc served from twenty to forty feet deep
the soil. Tho seed bed sE"u'd D." as fr'
ua b,ssll,i,. from de l. should