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Show Soil Surveys - An Aid To Farms its climatic setting. Some of By MARSEL TINGEY Soil Scientist, Manti Soil Conservation Service The time is rapidly coming when the farmer will know the name of, and be able to talk about the soil on his farm just as he does his nearest neighbor. The Soil Conservation Service assisting the Sanpete Co. Soil Conservation District is block soil rapidly making of all agricultural surveys land in Utah, as a part of a national survey which SCS is charged with making. The primary objective of the survey is to define kinds of soil so that, with our knowledge, research and experience, we may work out the best combination of practices for each individual field and farm to get the maximum possible yield. It can be clearly seen from records of farmers throughout the state that production is directly related to management applied to the soil. A soil survey makes alternatives possible in farm and crop management by providing information in soil management methods, crop adaptability, management, land-us- e grass-lancapabilities, erosion hazard, drainage requirements, and fertility needs. Some other uses being made of soil surveys are in the industrial world, in highway construction, and real estate valuation. The value of any property, whether it be a farm, suburban home, factory, shopping center or paved to highway, is. determined some extent by the character of the soil on which it rests. Soil Scientists have long declared that, Our greatest asset is the soil. Poor soil makes poor people. Productive soil makes productive people. The SCS in order to simplify the survey as much as possible simply gives the soil a ame. It might be your name or that of one of the other landowners who have a large tract of the same type of soil. The SCS soil scientist assembles the information and assigns the soil a name on the basis of observations of soil characteristics and behavior. Some of these are: Color, structure (clods or fine grains) texture (sand or clay), fertility, permeability (water movement), erosion hazard (slope), how it will hold moisture, and PAGE THREE THE EPHRAIM ENTERPRISE, EPHRAIM, UTAH FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1962 these qualities are measured in the soil laboratory at the Utah State University . Rufus Frandsen of Gunnison and Vaughn Madsen of Fairview expressed surprise as they watched' an SCS spil core scientist pull a five-foof their soil. Vaughn wanted to know all about his soil which carries the name of Musinia. Rufus said he could now understand why that three-acrpiece in the middle of his field burned. That small piece was Sanpete, a sandy soil with a hard pan at 12 inches, whereas the rest of the field was Billings, a deep clay loam soil, which is abie to take in and hold much more water during the irrigation turn. The soil scientist explained that when a large area of soil has many of the same qualities such as color, structure, and texture, a pit large enough to get into is dug, usually five to nine feet deep, so the soil surveyer can get in to study all of the soil charand view the acteristics growth and rooting habits of plants. Samples at several of locations representative each named soil are sent to the laboratory in Logan for complete measurement of all qualities such as fertility, lime, organic matter and alkali salts. Frandsen asked if he was using his soil according to its best capability. It was then explained that along with the description of his soil, the soil scientist was also recording a capability rating as to class 1, 2, 3 etc. That this rating was given according to the potentialities and limitation for sustained production of crops. Or, in other words, an' indication of the amount of management the soil would require. Vaughn Madsen asked about the capability of a wet comer in his farm and was surprised to find, upon soil investigation, that it had a hardpan which was restricting water movement downward. Vaughn Madsen and Rufus Frandsen now have a soil survey listing the names of the soil on their farms, the capabilities and management need. block surveys are When completed iq each county, all landowners may have a copy of the report containing soil ot e d t four-acr- e . DROP IN AND SEE OUR SPRING LINES OF FARM AND GARDEN SUPPLIES WILD OAT HERBICIDE CARBYNE ALFALFA AND GRASS SEED HEPTACHLOR GARDEN SUPPLIES ( Shovels , Rakes , Hoes, Etc. TIRES AND BATTERIES EPHRAIM Ephraim CO-O- P maps and names of the different kinds of soil with a description of each. The potentials and limitations will be and suggestions discussed made in accordance with information obtained from the surveys. Yes, you soon may know the name of the soil on your farm equally as well as you do your neighbor up the street and you should be better able to manage your farm for greater prosperity through the use of soil surveys. of consumption crops if commercial fertilizer haa been used. This has been brought to their attention by various food plant organizations, by organic farmers and by a series of individuals who are either uninformed or misinformed. Research has been done on a world-widbasis to study the effect of commercial fer e ORTHO Want More Profits? Sanpete Lands Need Fertilizer By DENNIS FUNK Sanpete County Agent The use of commercial fertilizers in Sanpete County is increasing each year. According to the information available in our office, the number of acres fertilized with commercial fertilizer has increased 55 per cent in the last five years. About 12 per cent of our cropland receives commercial fertilizer each year. In order to do this our farmers purchase in excess of 660 tons annually. Through the years, our farmers have relied primarily on crop rotation and barnyard manure to maintain fertility. With emphasis on efficiency and increased yields per acre additional plant food is required. This is supplied through commercial fertilizer. However, fertilizer alone will not guarantee bumper crops. High yields result from good farming practices. You will get more from your fertilizer dollar if you will follow a few simple but highly desirable recommendations: a. Plant the variety of crops recommended for this area. b. Plant high quality seed that has high germination and is free of weeds. c. Control weeds, insects and crop disease. d. Keep' the soil moist throughout the growing period of the crop (It looks more favorable for us to follow this advice this year). e. Apply fertilizer according to recommendations based on research data and soil tests. Soil tests can be a reliable guide for phosphate needs. Ni t r o g e n recommendations vary from crop to crop. However, reliable data is available on the nitrogen requirements of the various crops. As an aid to your cropping and fertilization programs the following bulletins are available to the County Extension Office: Fertilizer Guide for Utah, Selecting and Using Soil Tests Can Fertilizers, Field Crop VarHelp You, ieties for Utah, Irrigate the Root Zone, Chemical Weed Control for Utah, and many others. Farmers who follow proper fertilization practices benefit in higher production, increased profits and lower costs per unit. Fertil. Doesnt Affect Crops to scientists at According Utah State University, a problem has arised in which some people will not accept the use . tilizers and their relationship to man and animals, and no ever been evidence has brought forth indicating that a detrimental effect could be found from the use of these products. All the accounts against their use, from a health point of view, are completely unfounded and are based either on no information or lack of information. HAS THE COST-PRIC- SQUEEZE E REDUCED YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING? IF SO, YOU NEED AN ORTHO FERTILIZER PROGRAM! Seeding, art themicoHy blended far lb action and continuous pelleted touring that your crop make the most profitable ee el woter, mm and tod. BUGA BEETS ORTHO fertflberi Ue of 500 752 tonvWe up 45. ORTHO M M-- in three teste, per acre Increased ytelde from 90 9 tomocr to climbed from f9Z0Q to $133.00 ao acre Profit COtN SHAGf ORTHO qopKed at 450 lb oere tnoeoeed yield of iHoge from 19.8 tool ocre. Fertilizing produced feed value at leu cost than at 1875 boy per tea. tonocre to Uotfa MOUNT AM MEADOWS at 750 b.oen boosted yield of Meadow hay from 2200 Ukkocre to 5910 lbs.ocre. Protein production Increaeed froso 194 to 511 Itaoote Graee Income went up from $2171 to $83.5? an omof ORTHO ORTHO PELLETED FERTILIZERS ,C . - gf USED FARM EQUIPMENT Case SC Tractor, Very Good Shape $600 MH TRACTOR, Case TO A excellent condition $400 two-wa- y, two- - bottom plow $350 International Super C TRACTOR excellent condition with good original tires and $750 plow, mower to fit HAY LOADER. Make an offer OLIVER 60 TRACTOR $450 7952 FORD NS, Just overhauled $600 two-botto- m Luonbeir acid Mwe. Ephraim |