The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-03-23

ed ones, may bring plant food up from
lower levels and deposit 1t near the sur
face, thus by t~ranslocation, increasing
the amount of plant food in one level
at the expense of another. The effect
on such translocation upon crops is
probably rather insignificant.
Barnyard manures are more valuable
than green manures because aside from
adding organic matter they add such
plant foods as phosphoric acid, potash
and nitrogen. The organic matter add
ed has the same effect upon chemical
and biological processes in the soil as
that added by green manureS. Barn
yard manure also adds many bacteria
and other beneficial micro-organisms
to the soil. These all assist in increas-
ing the availability of the soils store
of plant food. Therefore, barnyard man.
ure is more effective than green man
ures because its effect upon chemical
and biological processes is greater and
in addition it actually adds plant food
to the soil.
Commercial fertilizers consist of
plant foods, principally phosphoric acid,
potash, and nitrogen, in a plant avail
able form: When a soil reaches a point
OF depletion at which green manures
and barnyard manureS cannot supply
the crop with the required food, COM
mercial fertilizers must be employed.
1t is generally believed that the soils
of the beet growing districts were Or
iginally, at least, very rich in the min
era plant foods. A large number of
, chemical analyses made over 20 years
ago show that these soils were but
moderately supplied with phosphate
and that over so per cent would be con-
Sidered weak, and quite a number were
very deficient at that early date. Since
then many crops have been removed
from these soils each removing some
of the phosphate. If these same soils
were to be analysed today they would
be found to contain less phophate than
20 years ago.
Recent studies have revealed the fact
that much of the phosphate present is
not available to crops.
In fact, over 60 per cent of 1888 soils
tested during the past two years con-
tain less than two-thirds as much avail
able phosphate as is required for good
crop production.
When soils reach this state of deple-
! ton, the action Of green manure and
barnyard manure will not increase the
availability of the phospohorous rapidly
enough to satisfy crop requirements.
In such cases the time has arrived when
a phosphate fertilizer must be used.
Loan soils are recognized as being
productive and easily worked. These
qualities are due quite largely to the
organic matter which these soils con-
tain. Many of the biological and chem
ical processes which are so closely as
ISOLATED with soil fertility are dependent
upon an adequate supply of organic
matter or humus. Therefore, the sup
ply of this organic matter must be
maintained if our soils are to continue
to be productive. This can be done
by blowing down crop refuse such as
stubble, ETC., and using green manures
and barnyard manure.
Treble superphosphate does not con-
tain organic matter, therefore, its use
will not maintain the supply of this
important substance in a soil. In other
words, phosphate is not a substitute for
green or barnyard manure.
Green does not add phos-
pQaCe 10 the SOIL. Inc amount OF pAOS-
plate in barnyard or feed lot manure
is so small that this fertilizer cannot
be substituted for phosphate on de-
ficient soils. Therefore, barnyard man.
ure is not a substitute for commercial
phosphate.
All soils need the organic matter
supplied by green and barnyard man.
ures and phosphate deficient soils need
a phosphate fertilizer, also. Therefore,
phosphate deficient soils should receive
green or barnyard manure and a phos-
phate fertilizer.
Field trials have shown that barnyard
manure and phosphate, used together,
are more effective than either used
alone. Sugar beets yielded 1912 tons
per acre without any fertilizer; manure
alone produced 1856 tons; phosphate
alone 17.19 tons and manure and phos-
phate together 1912 tons per acre. This
field was not very deficient in available
phosphate. Best results viii be secur-
ed by using q green manure or barn
yard manure and phosphate on phos-
phate deficient soils. The most eco
nomic results will be secured by apply
ing light applications Of barnyard
manure e to 10 tons) and combining