Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, November 03, 1910, Image 3
AN'a best friend , Is his mother the oorth. All Bho asks la the oppor tunity and she will yield him the wealth of an account thnt has boon growing for ages. And ho has treated her as he usually treats his best friends. Ho has taken all she had to give , bought an auto mobile and a house in town and then hid his tuldross from his relatives of the soil for fear they would bring their earthy smell Into his new residence. With quiet Indifference old Mother Earth endures this Ingratitude , but the time comes when she has nothing for his greed. What happens then ? Look to India for one answer. Ton million of our own Aryan blood starve there In a single famine year starve upon a soil that once was , and still could be , almost inconceivably fertile. Russia offers another reply , where with stomachs empty men enter a world that never fills them. Yet an other answer , centuries old , may bo found In the Tigris-Euphrates valley , which , once nmrvolously fertile , now scorches uselessly in the tropic sun. The necessity of man forged a weapon that brought him plenty ; but the greed of man forged a weapon that brought him penury. For do you think there can be prosperity when the earth no longer yields ? Do not forget that the Bhamo of Rome was coincident with ithe time when one bushel of seed re turned but four in the harvest. When the soil exploited , that Is when It is so farmed that the essential ele ments are taken out In crops and noth ing returned to build It up , the result is exactly the same as when men are exploited in workshops and nothing returned to build up their bodies. You cannot haul phosphorus and nltiogcn In oats and wheat and corn from your farms year after year and maintain the fertility of the soil , if you give back no phosphorus and nitrogen In return. Twelve thousand abandoned farms in the state of New York alone testify to this. After sixty years of cultivation the lands of the corn bolt 1IUUU3H1UII1 , lUUKUUblUIII 11I1U UII1LT US- Bontlal abundant elements supplemented - montod by the amounts returned in manure and crop residues for the pro duction of largo crops at least for thousands of years ; whereas if the supply ot phosphorus in the soil Is steadily decreased In the future in ac cordance with the past and present most common farm practise , then poverty is the only future for thn people who till the common agricultu ral lands of the United States. " Phosphorus may bo applied-In liberal - oral amounts as much as 1,000 pounds to the aero every three or four years and It costs about $7 a ton. After the problem of returning the elements to the soil has been solved the farmer may find another condition of the soil which must bo corrected before his farm rtlll produce as It should. This Is the tendency of cer tain soils to acidity. Clover , alfalfa and other valuable legumes cannot thrive upon soil that Is sour. Some times on acid soils when applications of farm manure are made , the legumes will seem to grow well , but examina tion rovoalB the fact that the nitrogen gathering bacteria fall to develop properly Hcnco the most valuable contribution the legumes have to make to the soil is largely lost. Upon cer tain fields belonging to ono of the most famous agricultural stations In the world , that of RothamBtoad , Eng land , applications of natural limestone \\oro made a century ago. They are still moderately productive , although other Holds near by , which have never rocolvcd the application , are extreme ly unproductive. Care should bo taken that llmo- Btono is used for the ono and'only pur pose of correcting soil acidity. And whllo wo are upon this thing. . Zf not the man with the hayseed in his hair who feels it first but the man with the pen behind , Ws oar. Month by month the price of each aoparato commodity puts a little largo punc ture in his salary , until by the end of the year , hls savings , which began hopefully , as an un known quantity , have ended as "X = nothing , " , Ho it Is who knows the cold dread of middle age ; for unless the land can be Induced to yield abundantly prices will not settle down to itho point where the man on a moderate salary can llvo free from fear. Farmer and clerk [ alike , \\e are all vitally concerned in this iproblotn * of maintaining and increasing the fer tility of the soil that Is fertile , and of restor- , lng soils that have been cruelly exploited. Fortunately they can bo restored. Intelll- igonco is more potent than avarice and can undo the evil it has wrought. Even those soils that have been exploited to the point of appar ent ruin can bo nursed back to health. Dr. Cyril Hopkins , head of the agronomy depart ment of the University of Illinois , a soil spe cialist of national reputation and the author of numerous pamphlets and a book entitled "Soil Fertility and Permanent Agriculture , " Is ono of the most enthusiastic workers along this line. He is a man of hard facts and loves pretty theories even as the devil loves holy water. Every fact that ho gives out must prove Itself over and over again in tests upon his own farms , or those belonging to the uni versity or upon ono of the various experimen tal plots. There are about thirty of these plots scattered through the state of Illinois , where the soils are carefully examined and then cropped according to their needs. I could tell you tales of what Mother Earth has done in the way of corn , wheat , oats , or clover when aho baa received proper treatment that would eat you to building castles in the air upon an earthy foundation. The corn yield upon ono of J the university farms in 1909 was 87 bushels to the acre , duo to treatments with limestone Mid phosphorous. But before wo BO farther let us consider a few fundamentals of crop growing. First , there are six positive , absolutely es sential factors. They are : (1) ( ) the seed , (2) ( ) the plant home , (3) ( ) the food of which the plant Is made , (4) ( ) moisture , (5) ( ) heat , ( C ) light. Now , except in the case of the seed and plant food these factors are largely beyond the farm er's control. Dame Nature can , however , bo trusted to attend to them satisfactorily. How , then , has the fanner made use of his ability to control the two factors ? By exorcising judg ment and care in the selection of Hoed and by Ignoring the matter of plant Jood entirely. The result ? When the land was worn out and had no plant food to give the good seed the agricul turist arose irately In farmers' institute and told what he thought of the seed seller. The trouble all the time \sas not with the seed but with the soil , which had had the elements of plant food removed In previous crops , and as a consequence could not respond to the call of the seed. What are these elements ? There are ten in the list , but eight are provided abundantly. Three oxygen , hydrogen and carbon como directly from the air and water. Most nor mal foils contain enough potassium , magne sium , iron , calcium and sulphur , although some times the first must be supplied. The problem of plant food , therefore , narrows itself , in most cases , to maintaining and increasing the phos phorus and nitrogen Now nitrogen Is as easy to catch as the measles if ono knows how. The air contains It in inconceivable amounts. Dr. Hopkins has estimated that the air above an aero of ground contains about $10,000,000 worth , if sold over the counter at ordinary commercial rates. In order to Induce this nitrogen to enter the earth , where it may reappear as food for man , all that is necessary is to plant clover , alfalfa , pees or any legume. By moons of the bacteria upon the roots these legumes draw the nitro gen into the soil. How necessary the element of nitrogen is may bo seen from the fact that a 100-bushol crop of corn takes from the soil almost 100 pounds of nitrogen in the corn and about 48 pounds in the stalks. Rich , well-bal anced land in the corn belt contains about 8,000 pounds of nitrogen Therefore , If the process of subtraction of nitrogen goes on year after year with never an addition , it can be seen clearly that the farmer's finances can not multiply. Rotation plans for grain fann ers always should include a crop of legumes. Wheat , corn , outs and clover is a satisfactory rotation ; also wheat , corn and cow peas ; also cotton , corn and oats and cow peas. The first of these rotations should Include a catch crop of clover seeded the first year and plowed un der for corn as late as practicable the second year. The other two should Include catch crops of legumes whenever possible. Legumes when plowed under perform valuable services besides supplying the soil with nitrogen aa they decay they supply organic matter to the soil which helps other elements of plant food to free themselves from the earth and Into the farmer's bank account. Now thnt the question of nitrogen has boon outlined , suppose no turn to the problem of phosphorus , the only element of plant food wo over shall have to buy As to the Importance of the use of phosphorus upon the common soils of the United States , Dr. Hopkins has this to say : J "Phosphorus is the key to permannont ag riculture on these lands. To maintain or In crease the amount of phosphorus in the soil makes possible the growth of clover or other legumes and the consequent addition of nitro gen from the inexhaustible supply in the air ; and with the addition of decaying organic mat ter in the residues of clover and other crops and in manure , made in large part from clover , hay and pasture , and from the larger crops of corn and other grains which clover helps to produce comes the possibility of liberating from the immense supplies in tbo soil sufficient that only ? Improved seed , improved machin ery , Irrigation , even crop rotation , all are means for extracting from the soil the rich ness that ia In H , not for returning any of the food elements of grain building. All of those methods of cell stimulation are excellent in their way , if used in connection with methods of returning the elements of plant food ; but if used without them they are moans of hastening the impoverishment of the soil. To return to the question of limestone , ono ton to the aero finely ground will correct the acid condition of most soils. It Is , however , in the end cheaper and easier to apply more and to apply It loss often. As much OB ton tons to the aero was applied , to the soil of ono of the experiment fields in southern Illinois and the crop yields there have boon greater than mioii any other fields In that district A question that has been given much at tention lately is the question of crop rota tion. Undoubtedly It is absolutely essential for successful grain farming , but It is not the universal panacea some would have us bo- llovo. For Instance , a group of theorists have declared that fertilization is unnecessary , that crop rotation will keep the soils In per fect condition. The Idea Is that plants do not injure the soil because they use Its plant food elements but because they throw off poisonous excreta aa animals do. Therefore a so-called worn-out soil simply has become saturated with this oxcrota. Plant a crop which will neutralize the poison of the last crop and the Bollsoll will bo sweetened and the breasts of Mother Earth kept dripping with plenty for- over. This is very attractive as a theory. It has , however , no foundation in fact. As Dr. Hopkins has said , tbo rotation of crops has just the name effect upon wealth in the Booll as the rotation of the check book among the members of the family has upon the wealth in the bank. Plant food elements cannot tie used up and not returned without resulting in impoverishment of the soli. WHAT HE CONSIDERED FAIR Mr. Olecn'B Offer Must Have Como Aa / Surprise Even to Persuasive Claim Agent. Up in Minnesota Mr. Olson had cow killed by a railroad train. la duo season the claim agent for the railroad called. I "We understand , of course , ' .nt th deceased was a very docile and vnlu- RDlo animal , " said the claim agent in his most poreuaslvo clalm-agontleman- ly manner , "and wo sympathize with you and your family In your loss. But , Mr. Olson , you must remember this : Your cote had no business being upon our tracks. These tracks are our prl- rate property and vhon eho Invaded them she became a trespasser. Tech. nlcally speaking , you , as her owner , became a trespasser also. But w have no doslro to carry the Issue into court , and possibly give you trouble. Now , then what would you regard a * R fair settlement between you and the railroad company ? " > "Vail , " said Mr. Olson slowly , "Ay bacn poor Swede farmer , but Aye shall dvo you two dollars. " Everybody's. Wrong Quest. It was exhibition day at No. 3 , and an the parents of Jack Qrady , the dullest pupil , were listening hopefully , the teacher tried her best to help the boy. "How did Charles I. of .England dlo ? " Bho naked , assigning the easiest quostlon on her list to Jack. Aa he looked at her , with no Indication of a coming answer , the teacher put her hand up to her nock. Jack oaw the movement and understood its moan ing , aa ho thought "Charles I. of Eng land dlod of cholera , " ho announced briskly. Youth's Companion. $100 Reward , $100. Th milrn ot thta paper will b pleawxl to that ttier * li at leut oua dreaded dUeaM that telenet bai been abl * to curt In all lu itatea and that M Catarrb. Hair * Catarrh Curt U the only p ° * ltM cure uow knonn to the medical traUrnltjr. CatarrH belnc a corutltutlonal diatom , require * a roiutltu/ llonal treatment. Hall'i Catarrh Cure ta taken tni ternally , acting directly upon tb > blood and mncoul lurtacei ot the lyitem. thereby drjtroylng tht foundation ot tha dlieoM , and ( tiring tbe patient trengtb by building up the constitution and analjt- bl natura In doing It * work. The proprietors hav to much faith In IU curative power * that they oriel One Hundred Dollan for any e& * that U ( all * tc cure. Bend ( or lilt of testimonial * Addreu F. J. CIin.VEV J , CO. . Toledo. O , . Pout by all Drurotita. 'Jo. lake lutl'i lamlly 1'UU ( or cotuUpaUoa. She Probably Could. Senator La Follotto , apropos of cer tain ocandala , said at a dinner in Mad ison : "These things recall the legisla tor who remarked to his wife , with a look of disgust : 'One of those land lobbyists approached mo today with another insulting proposition. ' I "Tho wife , a young and pretty wom an , clapped her hands. 'Oh , good ! ' Eho cried. 'Then I can have that sable Btolo , after all , can't I , dcarT * " "SPOHN'S. " This IB the nnmo of the RTenlcst of nil remedies for Distemper , Pink Eye , Hcnves , I ml the like aihmiR all RRCH of horses. Bold | > y DruggistR , Ilnrnenii Makers , or fiend to the manufacturers. $ 0 and $1.00 a bottle. A Rents wanted. Scud for free book. Spohn Jleillctil Co. , SpeO. CouUitfoui Disease * , Qo hen , Ind. 80 They Say. Stranger I say , my lad , what U considered a coed ccoro on those links ? Caddie Well , sir , most of the gonta here trlon to do It in as few stroked' as they can , but it generally takqs a few more. Scottish American. TRY MURINE EYE REMEDY for Red , Weak , Weary , Watery Eyoa andGramilatodEyelids. Murlno Doesn't Smart Soothes Bye Pain. Druggists Boll Murlno Eye Remedy , Liquid , 250 , COc , $1.00. Murlno Bye Salve In Afloptlc Tubes , 25o , $1.00. Eye Books and Eye Advlco Free by Mall. Murlno Eye Remedy Co. , Chicago. Her Tribute. Randall How did you like the mili tary parade , Ida ? , MIso Rogers--GlorlouBl I never saw enough men in all my life before Harper's Bazar. Slrn.VlniiIoTr * Boothlnc Byrnp. For children tooth Urn. Boftonstlio gum , riHlucHsln- tUmin | | 'T'iffiliM" wilo. CIUM wind collo. a&o a U. Ui . When a man drossua like a slouch it's a pretty good sign that ho either ought to get married or got divorced. Many who used to itnoko lOo cigars now buy Lewii1 Single Binder gtraight 5a , A woman hatea her enemies longer than nho loves her friends. A TRULY BENE FICIAL AID in cases of Poor Appetite , Headache , Heartburn , Sour Risings , Bloating , Indigestion , Dyspepsia. Costiveness , Biliousness and Malaria , Fever and Ague is Hpstetter's Stomach ach Bitters. For over 57 years it has been as sisting sickly and run down people back to health , and its friends are therefore , legion. You really ought to try this wonderful remedy at once and be satisfied that it is the onl3r one you need to keep you healthy. COUGHS S COLONS