The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-02-04


people are dependent upon the fer
tility of the soil. One cannot trave
far without seeing convincing eyi
dence of the truth of this statement
In localities where the soil is fertil'
you will find good homes and farm
buildings, good stock, school houses
churches and other public improve
ments and the cities and towns show
signs Of prosperity on every hand
In other regions, where the soil will
not support profitable crops you will
see the lack of prosperity in every
form Of activity We have vast areas
of land through the West inhabited
only by horned toads, jackrabbits and
their kind that is rich in valuable
plant food, but the conditions are not
available to make home for the
plant. There is a lack of moisture
to obtain the different elements of
the plant food, which is required to
grow the crop, but when water was
supplied and profitable crops thereby
made possible, thriving cities sprang
up like mushrooms and industries
along all lines were Immediately set
in motion.
The counterpart of the above stu
alton is found in the Eastern states
where the WORKOUT soils are exerting
their blighting influence upon the
smaller towns which are dependent
for their business upon the surround
ing country. History furnishes no
parallel to the waste Of soil fertility. !
Several factors have been instrument
al in causing this tremendous waste.
In early days when soil was in its
virgin state it was bought at small
cost and cropped heavily to obtain
the greatest results and robbed of its
fertility without regard for the fu-
ture. The Emmett valley has acres
and acres of land in its virgin state
which will produce abundantly for
years to come if the proper care is
given to the soil. 1t is very much
easier and less expensive to maintain
soil fertility than it is to restore it
when it has become depleted. /
Some of the Eastern states are now :
spending thousands OF dollars for
commercial fertilizers to regain the !
fertility of their soils which they /;
robbed, unaware of the results until +
it was too late. Furthermore, the uni i
versal tendency to lock the stable
after the horse is stolen. The acreage 9
of the WORKOUT soil in the United ,
States is already large and it is in +
creasing so rapidly that it should a
be matter Of deepest concern to all p
thoughtful people, whether they are e
engaged in farming or other voca- b
lions. No part Of our country is free n
from the menace of WORKOUT soils. NJ
No soil, however great its native fer c,
ility may be, can continue indefinite in
y the production of profitable crops III
Unless some means is provided for re- NJ
urning to the soil the fertility which Il
vas removed to grow the crop. The W
farmer endeavors to take a,
rom the soil all that it will produce, III
nut does not overlook the fact that M
omething is not obtained for moth h;
ny and therefore provides for return tn
ny in some manner the fertility that is
'as removed by his crops, He real tn
les the fact that for soil to pro- in
uce annually it must be replenished. nc
God is just as essential for plants M
s for animals, but to thrive best co
ach must have the food elements pa
roperly balanced. Soil has several elt
inctions to perform in crop produc- or,
on. First, the soil must furnish a an
ONE for the plant where by means of WI
s roots it can anchor itself against kin
le wind and maintain an upright po- to
ton; second, the soil must furnish Nj
punishment for the plant; third, the pr,
III must act as storehouse, in which ma
ant food and moisture is stored and moi
must furnish these materials to the We;
ant as required; fourth, the soil am
ust serve as an immense laboratory qui