Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-11-30
SOIL PREPARATION
MOST IMPORTANT
All Types OF Soil May Be Made
Equally Productive
WETLANDS MUST BE DRAINED

College Park, Nov. 30.-A very time
ly lesson on Preparation of Soil has
been prepared by G. II. Afford, State
Agent, College Park. Md. Mr.. Afford
says in part:
Soils differ widely in composition
and condition. A soil composed large
ly of pulverized limestone, is called
mari, calcareous, or lime soil; OF
sandstone, a sandy soil; of alumina,
clay soil Of partially decomposed vege-
table matter, such as we find in swamps
and marshes, peaty, mucky soil. All
of these soils may be equally product
i've II they are in the proper mechani-
, cal condition and contain sufficient
amount of the elements of plant food
required in plant growth. The soil
has two distinct functions to perform
in the growing of crops; first, it fur
nishes a home for the plant second,
it furnishes the crop plant food. When
the soil, we make better home for
plants. When we add to the soil, we
increaFe the supply Of plant food. One
soil may be in an excellent physical
condition, but contain very little plant
food. Another soil may contain an
abundance Of plant food, but the physi-
cal condition may make it totally I'M
At for growing plants.
Drainage is needed on fields and on
every part OF a field where water
stands for some time after rain,
when water oozes to the surface max
ing seepy spots and on land where
water stands in post hole within
several feet of the surface during the
growing season. On land that Is well
drained, the crops are better able to
endure a long drought than on un.
drained land. This is because the wa
ter in the undrained land shuts out
the air and the roots go only as deep
into the soil as the air penetrates
freely On undrained land, the roots
Of growing plants spread out near the
surface and when the soil dries out
during the hot summer, the crop
fires" or burns up before maturity
Poorly drained soil cannot be pre-
pared early in the spring and it is al
most impossible to properly prepare
1t at any time for the reason that
large quantities of water evaporating
from the surface of the soil makes it
compact and solid. The evaporation OF
the water in the early part of the
growing season keeps the soil cold
regardless of the temperature OF the
air, thereby retarding the growth OF
plants. Furthermore, helpful germs
cannot live in undrained soil and
change vegetable matter into avail
able plant food, because the water
excludes the air from the soil.
We should deepen our soils for the
reasons: First, to increase its water
holding capacity; second, to let the
water escape from the surface without
running over the ground and washing
1t off; third. to permit the air to circu-
late freely for considerable depth;
fourth, to secure crops against drought
by enabling the roots to go down to
perpetual moisture; fifth, to increase
the area from Which plant roots may
obtain food
The soil must be well drained and
thoroughly pulverized for consider.
able depth and in addition 1t must be
full OF humus in order to produce max.
imum crops. Fire is one of our worst
enemies because we burn the corn
stalks. grass and trash on the land