OCR Text |
Show Value of Crass. Crass is a soil protector, a soil re-newer re-newer and a soil builder. Covering the lnnd with grass Is nature's way of restoring fertility to old, worn-out soil. True grasses do not add nitrogen to the soli, as do clover and alfalfa, yet they are nitrogen gatherers. They collect the nitrogen of the soil and store it up In their roots, and by the decay of these roots humus Is formed. Thus grasses prevent the waste of nitrogen ni-trogen and other plant food elements, protect the soli and maintain Its fertility fer-tility and tilth. Ily their extensive and penetrating root systems many grasses tpnd to break up and to deepen deep-en the soil, thus Improving Its texture and Increasing Its moisture-holding capacity. ca-pacity. The roots gather the mineral plant food in the deeper subsoil and store it. In part, in the great fibrous root growth nearer the surface. This causes an Increase In the supply of available plant food in the soli for the use of more shallow rooting crops. |