Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-19
AN EXPERIMENT WHICH
MAY WORK OUT WONDERS
Scientific Manipulation Of Soil on
Michigan Farm Expected to Coax
Nature to Supply Fertilizer.
IDEA BORROWED FROM RUSSIA

Scientists and Notwithstanding
Farmers Think They See Great
Things Ahead for American Own
ers OF Worn-Out Farm Lands.
Upon farm near Detroit. in the
State OF Michigan. there may be OBJ
served by farmers who may be inter-
csted. and men of science who arc sure
TO be interested. an experiment that
may be of lasting value to all American
farmers. including those who grow corn
and wheat and tobacco in Virginia.
"Holland.' the interesting scientific and
Industrial letter writer tells all about II
in late issue of the Wall street Jour
nal. from which letter this account Is
condensed.
One-half Of the farm selected for this
experiment was sown to corn In soil
which was to serve as the test. In the
other half corn was Sown as it is GUS
tomarily planted by farmers. To-day
the corn on that portion which was to
furnish the test is considerably more
than a foot high; the corn in the other
portion is only two or three inches
high. The experiment Is regarded as
giving excellent promise of furnishing
formula whereby farmers may. In
the future. be able 10 rely upon mex
haustible natural resources for the fer
filtration of their farms
This experiment is due TO the en-
periencc of American scientists who
visited Russia shortly before the Eu-
ropean war began. They were enter
tanned by scientific men OF Russia. At
one OF the gatherings discussion was
conferred upon the wonderful black
lands Of the Ukraine district. These
constitute a part of the rich agricul-
tural resources Of the Ukraine of
which Germany is now anxious TO take
advantage.
The production OF wheat from this
black soil has been maintained for CEN
turtles and yet the soil has never been
artiiicially fertilized. 1t is found to he
to-day as rich in the qualities which
nourish and produce grea, crops az Il
was hundreds OF years ago.
MAY COAX NATURE TO
FURNISH FREE FERTILIZERS
In the course OF the discussion an
American who has gained high reputa-
ton in research work said that II
would probably be found. If scientific
Investigation We're made. that these
black lands are plastic or soft eNcept =
ing in the very dry season. Then they
become dry and crack and the surface
by this natural action OF the elements
is covered with the finest kind of dust
particles This dust. by certain chemi-
cal attractions. draws from the atmos-
rhcrc ca-boric acid -7s. ahsorhs II and
in that way communicates II to tho soil.
There is no other explanation Of which
men of science have any KNOWLEDGE of
something that has been regarded as
mysterious phenomena associated
with the uninpaircd fertility of Tx
raine black lands
N clir .E-,, -
war began TO bear such an important
relation 10 II. and especially In view OF
the scarcity OF fertilizers in the Cnited
states. that II might he worth while
10 make an experiment here. Some of
the farm lands OF Michigan are very
rich and yet II has been found neces-
sa-y. in order 10 secure the highest
PRODUCTION to f"rtilze them artifcially
Would It be possible. scicntists asked.
10 coax nature TO furnish the fcrtiliy-
Ing quality that is necessary?
THE EXPERIMENT LOOKS
coon AS FAR AS GONE
The experiment was made bv con-
"ertiuy ordinary clay into dust or tn.
smallest PARTICLES possible, and, hav.
Ing honc that, b. depositing a s,na III
Grtui.t" Of 4is dust upon the SOL!
II vas ESQ necessary, in order TO make
comparison or to perfect the expert
r.olit, that part OF the farm should
not he treated in this way. The dus.
~ sittet over a portion OF the farm
An' then in due time corn was planted.
So, also. corn was planted in an adj
)ac"Ht lot which had not been treated
~ TINS manner. TO the qualification
~ hose who were making the expert
'E'nt, the corn planted in the plot
furnishing the test sproutcd early
grew rapidly and gives promise of com
o. n . .,,J
" ""rE healthy state. The other corn
is growing slowly.
In anoihei year, more extensive ey-
rer!mcnta viii be made. In the Stat
Of .owa ano in parts OF Missouri and
Minnesota there are lands somewhat
similar in texture and appearance |,
the black lands OF the Ukraine. Il II
proposed 10 treat part OF these land.
win hne dust SO as TO determin,
whether the atoms absorb carbonic ac!t
| gas from the atmosphere, converting
II into carbon so deposited as to fur
nish nourishment TO the plant.
SCIENTISTS SEE SOMETHING
GREAT For TIE FuTURI
| should the experiments hereaftc
! made demonstrate the accuracy Of thi
scientific theory. it may be that tn
/ farmers of the United States will b
| allie. within Il few years, through tn
/
zatlon Of some Of the mysteries q
| chemistry. 20 secure abundant food 70
| their plants. whereby the crops ma
/ be made greater in amount and bet
| ter in quality.
One Of the scientific societies q
| Russia. in view of this suggestion q
! American men OF research. planned "a
| exhaustive scientific Investigation {
| the black lands OF the Ukraine. Plan
| for the organization Of commissio
to undertake this scientific work wcr
yell under way. when suddenly III
war began. making II necessary
postpone tho plan. But ii would b
extraordinary IT, by reason OF the wa
and because OF tho suggestions mad
10 science by the productivencss OF N
Ukraine. by and By American farm
ers should be able. In a simple. Inc,
pcnsive and satisfactory manner.
obtain from nature rich fertilizing cl,
rncnts.
; 9gH
, M Look for Our Name
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