St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1921-02-26

addition of fertilizers is therefore
not for the purpose of adding more
mineral matter to the soil, as there
is plenty already
''We must keep in mind that there
is an immense amount of stored up
food in the soil ready to be convert
ed into plant food and all that is
necessary for the plants, just await
ing the manufacturing process or
chemical reaction to make it avail
able food for plants. The condition
to bring this about is sufficient soil
warmth. The more water there is
in the ground the more difficult it
will be to raise the soil temperature.
''Too much rain, that is, too much
water in the soil is harmful for rails
ing cultivated crops, and under nor
NAL conditions the surplus of water
is taken from the soil by the sun
through evaporation. If there is too
much water in the soil the proper
;nteraction of rain and sunshine on
the soil is lnterfered with and to
Just the extent that there is a sur
aus of soil water.
eff we look at the sun as a light
giving and withdrawing or
evaporating apparatus and the re-
turned rain to the earth as heat
producing medium when it comes in
contact with the dry soil, then we
would get a better understanding of
the forces of nature.
'tNo swamp lands will produce
other than swamp production unless
they have first been more or less
perfectly drained, because the bio
logical processes in the soil neces-
sary to cultivated crops cannot be
carried forward. They cannot for
these reasons: The temperature is
too low; there is an inadequate in
terchange of soil gases, and there IS
insufficient room in which the roots
can develop and perform their func-
lions. A cold, wet soil requires a
seeds, and consequently longer
growing season is necessary. And
these reasons apply only in different
degrees to all lands"
He says further: In my opinion
St. Tammany parish with it's parallel
running rivers, streams and bayOus
emptying into" the lake, could be
easily drained by utilizing and deep
ening these natural outlents.'
'The benefits and possibilities of
proper drainage are rather little
known here, but it is certain to play
a much larger part in the future Of
agriculture than it has in the past.
What can be done even under the
most trying conditions has been prac-
tically demonstrated by the little
country Of Holland, whose area is be-
low the sea level. By system Of
dykes and canals and pumps they
raise the surplus of water over the
sea barriers. And thus Holland has
added to its land an area exceeding
in square miles the CONT ined area
of Rhode Island and Delaware. The
productiveness Of this little country,
Holland, is too well known to re-
quire further description"
With this parish properly drain
ed the breeding places of mosquitoes
here will disappear and also the dis
eases accompanying these pests. We
will be able to do away with mos.
quitoe bars which themselves are a
nuisance and impairing to health, as
they usually are dusty and prevent
the inhailing of cool and clean air
| know that some people will doubt
that the mosquitoes can be thus ex-
terminated, but anybody who ever
lives in Rio de Janeiro, the capitol
Of Brazil, will know that it is possible
IS it has been proven there.
There will come time when we
will be able to manufacture foods
r ght from the soil artifcially; how
ever, until we achieve this we have
to continue to drain wet lands and to
lrrigate dry ones"
To any one who is interested in
the techniacl processes and expert
ments, Mr.. Giese VII be glad to ex-
plains more in detail. l am obliged
to him for the facts above quoted
and other suggestions.
Perhaps, it is not necessary,
although it is very interesting, for a
practical farmer to understand the
intricate processes by which his crops
are made to pay. But if he takes
he pains to investigate what is most
important for him to know, he viii
ind that for any part Of this section
If the country every authority is
agreed that drainage is the cheapest
ind best means by which he can
make his lands raise the best crops
o his greatest profit.