The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-10-05
Principles of Tillage to Increase Yields Explained
by S. p. Farm Adviser.

Campbell saw here in connection
with his general observations
shows that the real advantage OF
careful preparation of the soil be-
fore setting is sometimes, but not
generally fully considered and
appreciated.
1T is very important to first
prepare the surface by leveling,"
says Campbell "Then arrange for
irrigating in such a manner that
water may not only be evenly ap-
piled over the whole surface but
in as short time as possible. In
other words establish an even sur
face with reasonably short laterals.
Too much water in the soil beneath
some trees or too little for others is
detrimental, usually. Again, the low
er places, especially in heavy soils,
gather more water, keeping the
surface wet longer and frequently
delaying timely cultivation, and not
infrequently causing the higher
spots to lose much of it's already
short supply. When the trees or
vines reach the bearing period, the
profit is increased or decreased In
both quantity and quality of the
crop. Both of these results are
governed by the amount OF fertil-
ity resulting from soil condition in
which the per cent of moisture and
air carried therein, especially dur
ing the warmer weather, is a big
factor. The ability tG supply this
desired moisture in proper quanti-
ties the entire season through each
year. is the first consido alton.
"The next question is the perfect
root bed. This should be supplied
literally with available plant food
evenly distributed, so that when
the trees or vines are set, there is
a condition so favorable that not
only the weaker sets may quickly
take root and grow vigorously, IN
stead of whitening and dying, but
a healthy, uniform growth may be
obtained the first year, which
means much to the early and an
nual fruitage of the trees or vines.
ITO ach' I'VE this result, after lev
cling. the field should be cultivated
practically an entire season before
setting to trees or vines, with only
sufficient irrigation to assist in
establishing the ideal root bed
which should be both fine and fair
ly firm from the very start. The
object is to continually carry the
proper quantity of both air and
water through the heated part of
the season. Under this condition,
with the high percentage of moist
IRE held at the top of the firm soil,
through careful and timely cultiva-
tion. there will be a liberal develop
ment and growth of that most de-
sirable soil bacteria. This proce-
dure increases the much needed
plant feed more evenly In all parts
Of the field, before setting, than
can possibly be developed after
setting. This gives an advantage
not otherwise obtainable.
Much can be said of irrigation
and cultivation after setting, but
to be brief, care should be taken
not to over-irrigate, for to obtain
the best results, the soil in and
about the root zone must be moist
but not wet. When the soil is sat
urated there is practically no
healthy growth. AS rule cultiya-
tion is not only insufficiently fire.
quent but too often is so untimely
as TO be of little value.
There are certain conditions OF
moisture In the soil following irri-
cation. the same as following a
rain. when the high value Of culti-
walton to the final crop is very
much greater. These conditions