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About The gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 13, 1914)
HOME AND FARM MAGAZINE SECTION 13 Determining Soil Fertility Valuable Information Given by E. B. Stookey, Assistant Agrono mist of Washington State College. WANT inquiries are received eon aj ee ruing the soil needs of differ ent parts of Western Washing ton. There seems to be a general opinion that by an examination of a soil it can readily be told just what erops are best adapted to the soil, and jnst what fertilizers will give the best results. This opinion is based on the facts that a mechanical analysis will give the percentage of the different sized soil particles, and a chemical analysis will give the percentage of the different elements in the soil. Both of these analyses are of some value and both furnish a basis from which some suggestions can be secured. These, however, are only two of several things that must be considered. This station is Hot in a position to make either mechanical or chemical analyses. Thero are, however, records which show analyses of most of the representative soils of western Wash ington. The United States Department of Agriculture in connection with the State Geological department has made reeonnoissanco soil sarveyn of the greater prrt of western Washington. Tho soil types have been fairly well defined, and tho more representative soih hare been analyzed. The state ebemist also has made quite a number of analyses of Western Washington eoi.' Available Records. These records are available, and if the exact location of a farm is known, wo can tell quite closely the general character of the soil. If soil samples are sent to this station we are glad to Biake a superficial examination. The samplo will help us to determine the oil type. The sample fhould be a well mixed composite of several samples taken from different parts of the gen eral typo of soil. Only part of this composite samplo need be sent. If there aro types of widely differing oils they should not be mixed. Tncro are certain conditions besides the mechanical and chemical analyses that are quite important when erop adaptation and soil nerds are to be considered. In fact, if these eondition ' are well understood and their meaning correctly interpreted, thfy may reveal more than chemical and mechanical analyses. Some of these conditions are enumerated below: Necessary Conditions. 1st It is necessary to know the depth of the surface soil, and the character if tho subsoil. In any case a change in the depth of the surface soil would probably affeet tho sort of crop best adapted to the soil, an I a differ ence in the character of the subsoil would materially affect any adviee that might be given. ... 2nd. The position of the land, as to whether it is high or low land, will eliminate some crops that might other wise be recommended. Some crops are better adapted to lower conditions than others. Srd. The question of drainage it sometimes very important. A poorly drained soil is unfit for the production of somo crops, and warms up so slowly that it is impractical to grow some others. 4th. The previous eondition of the land. By this is meant whether the land was originally timbered or prairie; the kind and character of the natural vegetation; how long it .has been eropped; what kinds of erops have been grown; and what kinds, if any, and with what results fertilizers have been used. It is easy to see how these may be of great help when studying any eondition. The character of the natural vegetation on the soil, or adjoining oil, may indicate quite clearly that eertain crops would be better adapted than others. The other conditions, too, re of considerable value. Eth. The crops that are giving the best results in the locality. Certain erops are known to grow best where certain other crops grow well. Any pe culiarity of the growth of any plants, or any peculiar climatic eondition will be of interest and value in arriving at a conclusion. When advice is wanted of a soil expert regarding an; land the inquirer should give a dear detailed account of the character and history of the land in question. These things are mentioned in order to show the factors that are valuable in determiaing the crops adapted to a soil, and help indicate the fertilizer needs, the soil analyses are valuable, bnt their value is too often overestimated. Classification of Soils. Soils are classified into groups ac cording to the amount of the different sized particles present. A clay soil has a high percentage of clay; a sandy soil has a high percentage of sand, and to on through the different classes and sub-classes. It is of value to know the percentage of the different sized parti cles present so we can classify the soils; we know in a general way that certain erops are adapted to certain types of soil. A ehemical analysis gives the total nmoitnts of the plant food elements present in too small amounts. It is known that a eertain amount of each element is present in fertile soils, so we can say from a chemical analysis that such a fertilizer would probably give good resnlts. This, however, is not an assured faet. Some soils may be very rich in a certain element, but this ele ment may become available to the plant so slowly that an application of a fer tilizer carrying this element may give very profitable returns. Again, a chemical analysis may show that a soil is below normal in a certain element. Through cultivation and proper methods of handling, this ele ment may become available to the plant as rapidly as it is necessary. It is clear then that an application of a fer tilizer carrying this element would give negative results. So wo see that while a chemical analysis may give nn indica tion of the soil needs, it is by no means sure. Present methods of chemical analysis do not give the amount of the plant food in the soil that is available t the plant. They give the totl amount present,, so from a chemical analysis it is possible to tell the soil needs only in a general way, and then tho results may not be what would be expected. Best Fertilizers to Use. From the numbcT of analyses that have been made of western Washington soils it is possible to indicate in a gen eral way what fertilizers will probably give tho best results. Tho only way to be positive as to what fertilizers will pay is for a person to try them on his own, or similar soils, under similar con ditions. This fact is generally recog nized, and in states where the most ex tensive soil surveys have been made, actual field experiments are being ear ried on by the progressive farmers to determine what fertilizers are paying investments To get farmers and others to carry on the same line of work ia western Washington this station will prepare simple plans for farmer, grange, school or any interested organ ization so that they can carry on useful and instructive experiments with very little trouble. These plans call for a half to an acre or more of ground, indi cate tho crops to be grown, and the kinds and amounts of fertilizers to use. There are two general plans; one is de signed for a one-year test, and the other for a test covering several years. The one-year test will serve only to in dicate what element if any is deficient in the soil. The longer test will be of greater valne. To be of great value a fertility test should be continuous. Opinion of an Expert. An agricultural chemist ia authority for the statement that 55 per cent or more of fertilizer experiments give negative results, so too. much must not be expected. Many of the most valu able experiments now being carried on with fertilizers havo given poor, and often negative, results for the first year, and often for the first three or tour years. Tho results of properly eonducted ex periments carried on in different parts of western Washington would be of great value to every district. We know in a general way that lime ia needed in most parts of western Washington, pot ash is needed in the northern part, phosphorus is the southern part, and both in the middle western part. It is not known, however, what amounts of these different fertilizers will give profitable returns. It is for this reason that we favor the policy of the farmers or some organizatioi carrying on leeal demonstration experiments. Full and complete plans for simple experiments will be furnished to any one making application. The only 13 turns we- ask is that results of the ex periments be furnished us. We will be glad te interpret results and to make suggestions at any time called upon. When it is desired that this station furnish plans for fertilizer demonstra tion experiments, tho conditions of the soil and plant growth should bo fully given. The amount of ground and the length of time that can be devoted to the experiment should also be given. This will help us to formulate a plan that wilt be best suited to the given conditions. United Stafes rural postmen eerer more than one million miles daily. Read It Now! Bulletin 103, TJ. S. Dept. of Agriculture tells the troth about aluminum compounds in baking powders. Copies Mailed on Bequest. This Is ONE Powder that is pure, efficient, and re liable, and is sold everywhere at a uniform price. 25c a lb. ALLGKOCEBS Crescent Mfg. Company Seattle, Wn. 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