The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1915-09-24
Flowing StubbIe.

L
blind following OF a rule prescribins
any particular time of blowing might
cause a reduction as often as IL does
an increase in the yields. The great
variation i'm the time and amount of
precipitation in this region must be
constantly kept in mind when con-
sidering the time of blowing. No
dependence can be placed on a heavy
precipitation in August and Septem-
ter. yet 1t frequently occurs. AS
moisture is considered the most i'm
portant factor in crop production in
the Great Plains area. its conserva-
ton is the primary object in cultiva-
ton. 49,"
Stubble, weeds. and uneven ground
are common means of retaining
snow and holding large part of the
winter precipitation. In deciding
when a field should be plowed, the
question whether a greater amount
of moisture will be accumulated by
holding the snow that falls than will
be dissipated by the growth OF weeds
is paramount. 1t must be decided
by the man on the ground. In an
swering this question several factors
must be considered, namely, the
amount of moisture already in the
soil that may be lost through weed
growth, the probable time before the
weeds will be killed by frost, the pos
sibilities of increasing the water in
storage in the soil by holding the
snow that may come, the danger of
soil blowing if the stubble and weeds
are removed, and the distribution of
farm labor. The Importance of these
factors is considered in Department
Bulletin No. 253. The Effect of Diff
ferent Times of Flowing Small-grain
Stubble in Eastern Colorado. The
major portion of the bulletin is given
to a description of the time of plow-
ing for wheat. but is as applicable to
oats and corn. The experiments /.
were performed at Akron Colo. field
station, but the deductions are gener-
al and useful throughout the entire
Great Plains area. /
1t was found that there was a wild
er variation in the precipitation of
the fall and winter when the mois-
ture should be stored than during the
growing months. Rains in August
and early September invariably pro-
lT"e growth of weeds. which us
lally exhaust the valuable moisture
supply. The loss of moisture which
has penetrated to a greater depth
han 5 inches, after the weeds are
lead in the fall and before growth
starts in the spring, is almost negli-
,ible. Either from land fall plowed
" from that covered with stubble
light precipitation evaporates unless
t falls as snow, which is blown into
riffs until a considerable quantity
las accumulated. AS 10 inches of
light snow are euivalent to only /
nch of rain, and l inch of rain pen
trates the soil to depth of inches
will be readily seen that SHOWS of
to inches supply a very small
mount of moisture a greater part
f which will be lost by evaporation.
very effort should be made, there
pre- to conserve the moisture which
ais either while the crop is on the
Ind or while the land is lying idle.
Early fall rains will be used by
'eeds unless the land is cultivated.
-eavy winter SHOWS may occur, but
ley are likely to blow off the field
Mess there is either stubble or an
neven surface to hold them. The
me and method of cultivation, then, =
lOuld be planned to prevent weed
'owth and still leave the soil or =
ubble in such condition that it =
i'll hold the maximum snow. How
'er, the period when labor is avail
de will soon be an important fac
r in determining the time of plow- y
g. When labor is scarce. cultiva- -
ON other than blowing which will
IL weeds and can be done rapidly
ay be resorted to. If this cultiva-
on leaves the stubble on the surface
leaves the surface rough enough =
hold the snow, it may be of even y
eater value than blowing. Disk u
g or listing in the fall are the meth
Is most commonly used. y
The amount of moisture in the =
oand I he spiine is only one = u
e factors in producing grain crops. ~
eeds growing with the crop use ~
Iough water to decrease the grain u
cid. 1t was found that fall plow- y
g at the Akron station is especially u
vorable to weeds starting with the "
ain. Flowing in the spring, how
er, Thoroughly eliminates the weeds, "
ID if done Immediately before seed az