WHAT PEA CROPS DO FOR THE SOIL

Shannon News, 26 February 1926, Page 4

WHAT PEA CROPS DO FOR THE SOIL

* When crops are grown on one plot [ of land year after year the ground [ becomes exhausted of plant foods, | particularly nitrates, which are compounds of nitrogen with other substances. In order ,to supply the soil anew with nitrogen, a most important source of strength to plants, peas, beans, clover or some other plant belonging to the pea family or leguhiinosae is sown. It is found after this has taken place that the ground at once becomes rich in 5u% rbg-en without the help of any kind of manure. If a plant of pea or bean is examined, we find that there are at intervals along the slender roots hard round swellings, called root 'tubercles. Inside the stem,' and particularly at the points, where the swellings are found, are quantities of bacteria, which live in partnership Avith the plant, and can only be seen individually under a powerful microscope. These organisms a re able to absorb and make use of the free nitrogen gas, which is contained in the air surrounding the soil particles. As a result, the members of the leguminosae family not only obtain the ordinary supply of nitrogen in the Dorm of dissolved nitrates in the soil, but are able To draw upon the inexhaustible supply in the air. Thus they are of enormous benefit tb the farmer and gardener, more especially if the roots and haulms can be ploughed into the soil when the harvest has been gathered. .Crops of peas or beans sown in the garden or allotment after a crop such as cabbage, which is very exhausting to the soil, will do wonders in replenishing the plant foods and making the ground more fertile. These plants invariably leave the soil richertffan they found it.