Estancia news-herald. [volume] (Estancia, Torrance County, N.M.) 1912-19??, 1916-12-21

period of warm weather lasts fol-
some time, the light SHOWS have
to all practical purposes, done us
no good. On such fields blowing
and drifting is decidedly evident.
Aside from the matter of the
conservation of moisture, plow-
ing through the fall and winter
months is very advantageous.
The weathering of the soil in
this manner makes more avail
able plant food. In fact, this
weathering is the chief factor in
the formation of plant food. Also
the humus, which rests principal
ly in the upper few inches of soil,
is distributed to a greater depth
and deeper root growth is con-
sequently encouraged Any lit
ter which may cover the field is
placed in such position that it
may readily rot and add material
ly to the plant food in the soil
Vegetable matter left on the sur
face Of the ground oxidizes read
lily, and to certain extent it's
most, useful elements are lost to
the plant world.
The matter of insect control
furnishes a very desirable object
for fall and winter blowing.
This is a preventative measure,
and as most of us have come to
realize, it is the true attitude to
have in combating insect pests.
The first thing to do, where pos
sible, is to eliminate the trouble
through prevention. This is the
cheapest and most satisfactory
course to follow. The cure is of
necessity of secondary impor-
,ance. This phase of the ques-
ton has been previously dis /
cussed and should be we'll under
stood. Our losses from the cut
worm during the last two years
should furnish most conclusive
argument for fall and winter
plowing.
The one objection most COM
monty met in advocating fall
and winter plowing is that, in
the opinion of some, more blow
ing of the soil in the spring is
likely to occur. This opinion is
hardly likely to be borne out in
We can find very
little justification of the same by
talking to men who have had fall
blowing experience, either here
or elsewhere. Assuming that
the spring work be the same in
either case. it seems unreason-
able to believe that the fields
which now remain with the loose
mulch on the surface, which was
left by the last cultivation and
harvesting of crops, can be sub
ject to less blowing than the
fields which have been fall
plowed and left in the rough.
Weathering of the soil on the
smooth fields also takes place,
and we find the light loose par
ticles of earth which are respon-
sible for filling up about our
fences and roads where obstruc.
ton is offered, when the spring
winds blow. Even at present
clouds of dust are noticeable
from these fields, while the fall
plowed fields are at rest.
Fall and winter blowing is now
practiced in practically every
successful district where crops
are grown under our conditions.
1t seems most likely that our ad-
vances along these lines have
been retarded rather by the lack
of horse power and funds than a
sincere question of the principles
involved.
To the new conner this subject
is important, and should receive
earnest consideration. If this
statement of the case is ques-
toned, it is suggested that the
people most successful and eX-
perienced be closely questioned
before the matter is passed. H.
vestigation will bear out the
2 bove. Roland Harwell, County