AGRICULTURE
Hie study of Agriculture holds a place of large and growing importance, botli in our schools and in the work of the successful farmer of today. This outline shows the abundant material contained in THE NEW STUDENT'S1 REFERENCE WORK, in aid of this study. For the convenience of tho>s© who wish further information in any special line, reference is given to Farmers' Bulletins, issued by the government. These Bulletins are sent free to any one who applies for them. Address, Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.
1. STUDY OF THE SOIL:
a. Clay soil: in which the earth particles are very small and hold together
1778; 406.
b. Sandy soil: in which the particles are larger and loosely held together
1673.
c. Loam: a mixture of sand and clay 1778.
d. Alluvium: soil formed by rivers, bottom land 53.
e. Humus: decayed organic matter in the soil 898; 1165.
f. Earthworms: how they make humus in the soil 575.
g. Mulch: a loose top dressing to prevent loss of moisture 331; 1275, h. Capillarity in soils: rising of water through the soil particles 330. I. Subsoil: uncultivated soil below the upper layer 1842.
J. Dry farming: method of farming with little rainfall 942.
k. Transpiration: amount of water needed by plants 1936.
Consult:
Farmers9 Bulletin No. 257 Soil Fertility.
Farmers' Bulletin No. 266 Management of Soils to Conserve Moisture.
Farmers9 Bulletin No. 245 Renovating Wornout Soils.
Farmers' Bulletin No. 150 Clearing New Land.
2. FERTILIZING THE SOIL:
a. Nitrogen: plant food consumed mostly in growing 1353.
b. Phosphate: plant food consumed mostly in fruiting 1475.
c. Potash: plant food consumed mostly in seeding and maturing 1537;
Ammonia 64; Saltpeter 1667.
d. Lime: used for correcting the acidity of soils 1071; 658; Marl 1173.
e. Manure: used for getting plant food and humus into the soil 1165.
f. Fertilizers: plant foods artificially and commercially prepared 657.
g. Benefit of live stock on the farm: 1828.
b. Compost and green manures: Cowpeas 470; Pea 1432; Alfalfa 46;
Rice 1610.
i. Nitrogen gathering crops: 1353; Bacteria 154. J. Root tubercles or leguminous plants: 1633. k. Absorption: why plant food should be soluble in water 5. 1. Rotation of crops: benefits of rotation 1636. Consult:
Farmers' Bulletin No. 44 Commercial Fertilizers. Farmers' Bulletin No. 192 Barnyard Manure.
Farmers' Bulletin No. 278 Leguminous Crops for Green Manuring. Farmers' Bulletin No. 48 The Manuring of Cotton. Farmers' Bulletin No. 77 Liming of Soils. Farmers' Bulletin No. 88 Alkali Land.
Plan for Finding What Plant Food Element Is Lacking in the Soil.
Lay off 9 plats in a field, 2 rods by 8 rods. Apply a different fertilizer to each, plat. Plant corn in each one, and compare the growth and yield of the plats. A more liberal application of fertilizers is used in making this test than would be recommended for general fertilizing.
A chemical analysis of a soil will give valuable information of a general nature regarding the soil; but it cannot be relied upon to determine just what fertilizers should be used. The only way to find out "W&at fertilisers to use oa a particular piece of ground is by actual experiment.
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