VALUABLE POINTS ON SOIL CULTIVATION.

Shannon News, 19 May 1925, Page 1

VALUABLE POINTS ON SOIL CULTIVATION.

Judge the value of any farm by the soil, and you will not be disappointed. , A productive soil meats a productive farm. You can best find out what your soil wants from your own experience, not from your neighbour's experience. Tillage is manure, but manure is not tillage. The fundamental secret of continued success in farming is the maintenance of soil fertility. Drainage is an expensive operation, but many of our most fertile areas in the valleys are the result of drainage (i.e., the reclamation of swamp lands). Under no circumstances should a clay soil be worked when in a wet condition, as it will then form into lumps, which will be very difficult to break down again. Ee sure and plough deep enough. Heavy soils respond best of all to deep ploughing. In the working of shallow soils take care not to mix too much of the sub-soil with the soil proper.

Nature's tillage "implements" are frosts, winds, sunshine and rain. Early ploughed lands derive the benefit of some or all of these agencies, which all have a beneficial effect on the soil. Thus winter and autumn ploughing are to be encouraged as far as possible. Colour is not always an indication of soil fertility since the physical condition must always be taken into consideration. Black soils are generally rich in organic matter and other plant food. Red soils owe ouring to ferric oxide. They are generally well drained. Five important factors to bear in mind in order to be certain of successful crop production on any type of soil:— 1. The maintenance of soil fertility. 2. The preparation of a good seed bea. 3. Correct time and depth of sowing the seed. 4. Growing a suitable crop and variety for the district. 6. Sowing good, healthy seed.

"I hear the Horns of Elf land Blowing!" Fairy Clarions sweet and low, Deep in the glens where falls are flowing And the flannel-flowers grow. 1 hear the horns of Etfland Calling,' Calling still in carols pure, Awhile the crystal cascades falling, Echo—"Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.* Spare your mxm.l FoUish floors with liquid "TAN-OL." Brilliant results easily achieved. Use MTANOL'* al«o for fine furniture and leather — '-