Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-24
lisc harrow in value and importance
q a filla1A imnlemanf cnrfa inl,1

disc harrow in value and importance
as tillage implement certainly
stands next to the plow. It should,
however, not be used to take the place
OF the plow to the extent that 1t is in
many instances By carefully consid-
ering the character and condition of
the soil; by adjusting the angle Of the
discs and adding weight when neces-
sary, 1t is possible to accomplish al
most any desired result with the disc
harrow in seed bed preparation.
Harrow or Pack Behind the Plow.
Land to be seeded Immediately af-
ter plowing, very frequently = needs
treatment with some compacting i'm
plement to prevent too rapid evapora-
ton, and to re-establish capillarity.
The conditions which would not justi-
fy following the plow with the har-
row, II the soil is rather dry, harrow
ing will pulverize the clods more sat-
isfactorily Immediately after the plow
than when drier. II the soil Is slightly
too wet when plowed, narrowing will
hard clods.
suitable shape for seeding, il heavy
rains occur. there will result a condi-
ton calling for prompt attention.
Heavy soils especially will become
very hard on the surface If not har-
rowed, as soon as dry enough to re-
tard evaporation.
Proper Conditions Essential to Plant
Growth.
Certain conditions, only, justify the
planting of vital seed, a fertile soil,
containing moisture, air and sufficient
warmth to insure termination. The
conditions which admit of germina-
ton and growth of plants also ia
vors the bacterial action which is
continually taking place in the soil.
without which no crops could be
grown. Soil bacteriology is relatively
new. but none the less important. The
plowing and cultivating of the soil,
and the application of manure and
other fertilizers is directly and indi-
rectly for the promotion Of bacterial
activities. A water sogged soil will not
produce crops and it is often a couple
OF years after the surplus water has
been removed before such soil be-
comes productive. This is because the
water excluding the air prevented the
action of the nitrifying organisms to
destroy all plant food that became
available.
Fertility Must be Available.
Soil chemistry is an interesting SUBJ
ject, about which there is q great
misconception. A chemical analysis of
a soil sample may be very mislead-
ing. Such analysis shows the quantity
OF the elements contained in the soil
without regard to their availability
for plant use. An analysis might show
very favorably to a soil that would
not sprout "black eyed beans"
A knowledge of soil chemistry
shows what the soil should contain,
how the elements combine and are
broken up and made available. The
meteorological and chemical actions
are so correlated that it is impossible
to sharply differentiate them.
scientific knowledge of soil phys
les teaches the nature, origin and
waste OF soils. their chemical and
mineral constituents: texture, mois-
ture, air, root action, etc.
Farm mechanics has to do with the
principles Of draft Of loads under va
rious conditions. the construction of
roads, operating farm motors, ma
chinery, etc.
Flowing. narrowing, cultivatine.
seeding. fertilizing and harvesting are
only means by which we are able to
assist, and take advantage of the ma
tural forces which are continually in
action. II we knew WHY all these
changes in climate, soil, plants, etc.
were occurring we would know HOW
and WHEN to assist them to our ad-
vantage by the use of various farm
implements.