Page 20 Advertisements Column 1

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21420, 12 March 1935, Page 20

auctions. H. MATSON AND CO. FALLOW AND TILLAGE. rpHE economic value of bare fallow before wheat must depend very largely on the effectiveness of the tillage methods adopted by the farmer. In this connexion one of the best recognised objectives of bare fallow is cleaning the land and preventing undesirable weeds from going to seed, end it can be added that probably no single factor exercises a more depressing influence on wheat yields than unchecked weed growth. It follows, therefore, that, among other things, tillage operations should be directed towards the elimination of any weeds that should appear from time to time on well-tilled bare fallow. Some farmers have stated that they had no time for "pretty ploughing," but preferred to see the furrows standing on edge, only partly inverted, with stubble and rubbish showing on the surface. In the first place the gibe against "prettiness" seems to be misplaced. since it is a gibe against the symmetrical regularity of well-laid furrows, which in turn is an indication that not a foot of soil has escaped adequate tillage. There is many an acre of wheat from which the yield has been appreciably reduced because of the patchiness and lack of prettiness of the ploughing. As to the incomplete inversion of the furrows and the retention on the surface of stubble and rubbish, the object would seem to have been to check the tendency of the soil to drift. Without wishing to discuss the effectiveness of the practice in the latter direction, it can be definitely stated that if adopted the control of weeds is bound to be defective. and that succeeding wheat yields are bound to suffer accordingly. Moreover, if the main object in view is not to plough, but to check drift, then why make use of a plough at all? Why not fall back upon a cultivator? It is generally recognised that the progressive improvement of the natural fertility of arable land was one of the main aims of the art of farming; and that among the factors that affect natural fertility, depth of soil occupied an important position. If, on the other hand, we consider that in the majority of instances "Soil" as distinguished from "Sub-soil" can be described as that darkened surface layer with which organic matter has gradually become incorporated, then it would be correct to say that in the majority of instances the depth of the soil would be the depth of the deepest furrow usually adopted by the farmer. It follows, therefore, that if you were to cling unduly to a policy of unchanging shallow ploughing—say 2in to liin —you would be declining to take advantage of one of the simplest methods of progressively improving the natural fertility of your farms. DESTROY CALIFORNIAN THISTLE with USED SALT, at 45. - PER TON. Sacks in. F.O.R. Addinglon. H. MATSON and CO. Every additional inch that is won from the sub-soil would represent an additional layer of soil lin thick to which organic matter would be added; in which bacterial life would find mOTe congenial environment; and over which the delicate roots of plant seedlings would roam more freely and to greater advantage; there would be progressive increase in the soil stock of available plant food; and increase in the powers of moisture absorption and moisture retention of the surface Boil layers. As to the number of tillage operations that should be given between ploughing and seeding, much will depend on circumstances; but usually three to four should suffice. The requisites that should guide' our decisions in the matter can be summarised as follows:—The importance of breaking up the surface crust that forms over tilled soils following on appreciable falls of rain; the urgent need of preventing undesirable weeds from scattering their seed over the fallows: and from the standpoint of the subsequent healthy development of young wheat plants, the necessity to build up progressively an adequate seed-bed. consisting of ljin to 2in of loose soil mulch, resting upon a firm, well-consolidated sub-surface layer. It remains to be added that the tillage of soils that are in dust-dry condition should be avoided as much as possible, and particularly so, if the soils are light in texture. Technical efficiency in the performance of these various operations will frequently depend upon the correct choice of time and way of giving effect to them, and errors of judgment in the matter will usually be reflected in increased costs of production, or reduced mean yields per acre, or in both. H. MATSON and CO.