The Sidney herald., 1961-01-18
Soil SampIing

~ Il
erS large returns for the 1ittle +i7oe
anu money spent in collecting
samples and having them analvz-
eo. LII crop production is low on
some OF your land, it may be that
you need to apply more OF differ
ent fertilizers. A soil test is the
fIrSt step in finding a method of
soIulon. A soil sample should be
taken with care as it is a very
smaH portion of the field epre
Sented. Soil samples can be taken
as soon as the soil becomes thaw-
ed. Barly testing is advised so thaf
U~ertIlzlng plans can be made
Here are the directions for taking
soil samples.
sample only uniform e in
One field. When the soil is vari-
able, composite samples should be
taken from the relatively poor
areas and from the better areas.
A few poor spots occurring over
uhe fed may be ignored.
composite at least five SAMPLES.
A single soil sample does not ade-
quately represent the soil condi-
lions IN a field. Therefore. if is
recommended that at least five
samples be taken from various
parts of the field or some par
tlcular part of the field. These
hve samples should be mixed
thoroughly together and submit
ted as the composite sample rep-
reSenting the area. Remove trash
before Sampling. Stubble, leaf lit
ter, etc. can most easily be sep
arated from the soil at the time
the samples are taken. This ma
terial should not be included in
the soil sample.
Sample to a depth of six inches.
For most routine analysis, SAMPLES
taken from the surface laver are
adequate. This should be taken
uniformly to pillow depth or ap-
proximately to a depth of six
inches. The different samples TIA
ken over the field should be an
proXlmately the same size.
AIKal soils - Take three SAM
pies to a depth of three feet. AL
Kali salts move UP and down in
the soil profile with the moisture.
Consequently, when alkali is be-
ueved to be a problem, soil sam
piles should be taken to a depth
of three feet. Samples from depths
Of 0 10 6 inches, 6 to 10 inches
and IL TO 36 inches are suggested.
Sampling tools. Satisfactory
samples can be taken with a num-
Der Of tools. A shovel or auger
Is usually the easiest TO USE.
Take samples when the soil is
relatively dry. 1t is easier to take
samples from soil that is rela-
dry. Dry samples are easier
to handle after they have been
taken. 1t is impossible to COM
or thoroughly mix several
samples of wet soil.
Send one quart of soil. For sat-
lSfactOry analysis, one quart of
soil is required. A one pound cof-
fee tin makes a good c~ontainer
tor shipping soil samples.
= &
Feeding
If you have not checked recent
" on the feeding equipment in
your laying house, it might pay
you 10 do so.
Tests made at Montana State
College, as we'll as in other states,
show that feed waste can be
expensive for the poultry
nan.
Usually there are two causes
IF feed waste. One is the faulty
of the lip on trough feed
IT'S. Tests at MISC show that feed
RS with 5/8 inch lip will waste
eed. BY extending the lip to l
md 3/4 inches, the feed waste
vas reduced materially. Examine
ne ends of feed troughs, too. If
here is no lip on each end, busy
,irds can flip a lot of feed out
d the feeder. A second common
ause of feed waste is filling
rough feeders too full. Losses of
S much as 80 TO as percent can
when feeders are filled to
1T Wy. III IGSS dL N1OO, ASSN
waste declined to about Is per-
emit when feeders were two-thirds
ull, and TO about 5 percent when
eeders were half full. Filling
feeders no more than a
quarter full is a practical recon-
nendation.
Hanging feeders should be ad-
listed to feed out limited amounts
nd should be at about shoulder
eight for the birds.
income Tax Guides
low Available
When you get ready to make
ut your income tax returns you'll
md much helpful information in
ne booklet entitled Income Tax
luide for 1861" It's more de-
allied than the booklet you re-
Give from the Internal Revenue
department. and useful even
you have your return
lade out by someone else. Cop
M