Soils and Fertility.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 July 1910, Page 4

Soils and Fertility.

fr- —-— Soils get their names from the materials which they are composed. The combinations of mineral and vegetable ft latter give the soils their names. The subject of soils, ami their management to retain fertility is a groat one, and is attracting the attention of some of the greatest minds of the present age. Our forefathers learned that by changing from one crop to Another tho soil would hold out longer than hy growing only one crop. By this custom (Mine the systematic rotation of crops which is a wise method for very many reasons. Different crops take from the soil plant food in different proportions, giving the land a partial rest in some particular each and every year. We now know that there is a wido difference in soils. Some are silicons largely, and are made up of sand; some are argillaceous, and are made up largely of clay. Some are made of vegetable matter, and are very fertile; others are calcareous, and are made up of limestone. The varying interminglings of these elements mentioned make up our varied soils, and the varying conditions require different treatments. Where life leaves off another begins. Each and every life form. *LAXT OR AXIMAL, is dependent on some particular kinds of food for sustenance and development. The -intelligence of man must be depended' up to supply those l foods in needed proportions for maximum yields, for nature "has come far short of an even and equal distribution of plant foods. Some of the elements of plant rood are so abundant that they need not be supplied; but thero are four essentials—potash, lime, nitrogen and phosphorus—that must be present in quantities sufficient to meet the demands of the plants to ensure n. maximum yield. Climatic conditions are not under oui control; but by intelligent management. plant food can be distributed in quantities sufficient to meet the requirements of all our crops. Ihe safe rule is to apply the foods ami let the crops give the answer. It there is a sickly growth thero is a lack of nitrogen. If there is a vigorous growth, and the stalks do not stand up, there is n lack of potash and if there is a good gjiwth or stalk it stands up well, hut the seeds do not crmw, develop, and fill veil, there is a lock of phosphoric acid.— Australian Fann and Homo.