Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-05-17


moisture-holding capacity. This Is
best accomplished by blowing under
deeply, manure, stubble, stalks and
various cover crops. This organic
matter, In decomposed state, Is
capable of absorbing considerable wa
ter and forms richer and deeper top
soil.
Vegetation or cover crops will pro.
tect the soil in four ways: Q) by
holding rain water on the surface for
a time, thus giving the soil
better opportunity to absorb the wa
ter; (2) by keeping the soil open
through the growth Of the roots, which
form passages for the water to reach
the subsoil; (3) by holding the soil
particles together through the binding
power of the roots; and (4) by reducing
the movement of soil particles through
diminishing the velocity of surface wa
ter. Cover crops usually are grown
during the winter or when the land
otherwise would be idle. Vetch, clover,
cowpeas, oats, wheat and rye are COM
monty used for cover crops.
Level Culture.
Contour blowing and the following
In general of practically level lines in
farm operations tend to check the sur
face flow down slope and to retain
the water where 1t falls. In cultivat-
ing crops, each row is banked up ana
q shallow depression which holds the
surface water is left between the rows.
Thus the absorption by the soil of this
impounded water Is facilitated and
the rapid run-off down the slope, with
It's destructive eroding power, often Is
entirely eliminated in case Of ordinary
rains. Comforting contributes also In
a considerable degree to the conserva-
ton of moisture on hill lands.
Often it seems impossible to prevent
erosion on lands with excessive slopes.
No attempt should be made to culti-
vate such areas, but they should be
seeded to pasture and usually retained
as such. In well-sodded pasture land
the soil Is not exposed directly to the
erosive action of the water so that
erosion Is much less destructive than
in cultivated fields.
In many sections of the country
timberland on excessively steep slopes
has been cleared for cultivation, and
in many instances after clearing 1t was
found impossible to control or check
the erosion. Such lands should be re-
verified to timber; otherwise the raw
ages of erosion will reduce 1t soon to
state of barrenness. 1t Is known
that erosion Is least active In fOrested
areas, because Of the penetration and
binding power Of the roots and the &C.
emulation of thick layer, Of leaves
and organic matter on the soil surface.
Undertaking.
It can be seen readily that by the
undertaking of land to carry OF the
excess water from the soil space Is
created for the reception of more wa
ter from the surface. The water fall
ing upon the surface sinks Into the
soil, percolates through 1t, and is con-
Quoted away by the underdrains to an
open drainage channel without running
over the surface and causing destruc-
tive erosion. Entrapped air, which
often prevents the entrance and free
movement of water in the soil, finds
means Of escape through subdrainage
channels. The physical condition OF
the soil is altered by undertakings
through the aeration and Ejaculation
of the soil particles. A perceptible ex-
pansion and slight upheaval of the
soil take place, resulting in an increase
In the size of the Individual pore
spaces. Hence, the rainfall percolates
more easily and quickly into the soil
and diminution In the runoff fol-
lows.