WhHAT DOES THE SOIL NEED?

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 447, 13 March 1912, Page 3

WhHAT DOES THE SOIL NEED?

There are at least two ways by which the farmer may tell what the soil needs. The first way is by watching the growth of the crops. "By their fruits ye shall know them' r applies to the soil aa well as to man. The other way is by noting the colour and condition of the soil. If there is too much nitrogen in the soil the growth will be rank and excessive, and the production of buds, flowers, fruit, and grain will be retarded.

Phosphoric acid is needed in the formation of pollen and in the ripening of the seeds. It has a marked effect in hastening the maturity. When soils are deficient in phosphorus the plant sometimes dies before it matures. Potassium is needed in the formation and transference of starch in a plant. All fruit and grain contains starch, and without starch fruit and grain cannot be formed. Starch is first formed in the leaves of the plant, after which it is carried to the grain or fruit. It is believed that, were it not for potassium, this could not be done—without potassium we would have no grain or fruit. Suppose the farmer has a crop of corn growing on the top of a ridge or hill. The stalks are short and puny; the colour is inclined to be of a yellow tint. The ears may be small, yet a little larger than the size of the stalk would appear able to grow. What is lacking in this kind of soil? As stated above, nitrogen promotes growth and gives the rich, dark, healthy colour to the foliage. If the crop is short, puny, and the foliage of a light colour, it is safe to say that the soil needs nitrogen. If the ears set and fill in proportion to the size of the stalk, or if they are a little larger than the size of the stalk would seem able to produce, there is enough potash; but if the stalk does not "shoot" and does not "fill" properly, the soil also needs potash.