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Show Soil Drainage Is Essential By Cleon M. Kotter Soil specialists at Utah State University explain that dram-ag- e is the removal of excess water from the soil. This is the water which moves freely with the pull of gravity. It is essential in all soils if they are to be productive. Dr. Paul D. Christensen, extension soil conservationist, points out that the drainage is of two types removal of surface water and the removal of water from the soil profile. Where the flow of water through the soil profile is not as rapid as the flow of water into the area, we have high tables, water-loggeareas, or water ponded on the area. In many situations arteinto the sian flow of water area is high enough to create water d excess water. Poorly drained lands are often found in the lower areas of the valley, or they may be located in other valley areas or flow subject to seepage from higher ground. Sometimes the local topographic situations restrict water movement out of an area, creating a general water-logge- d condition. specialists cite three general types of drainage. You may have drainage through open ditches, drainage through, buried tile lines, or drainage through pumping. The type of drainage which will fit your farm best will depend on your situation. local Very often drainage becomes a community problem owing to the need ot disposing of drainage water Soil and the elevation of the land with respect to other land in the neighborhood. The drainage of the soil profile can increase crop production in several ways. First where high water levels restrict xrop rooting, the lowering of the water table will provide a deeper soil. Since most cultivated crops require at least 2 - 3 feet of soil to - produce satisfactorily, deeper increased soils will produce yields. Second, the lowering of the water table will make possible the growth of improved crop varieties. In wet boggy areas production is limited to the growth of low yielding sedges and rushes or salt tolerant species. Following drainage and in some cases reclamation, the land will be suitable for the production of improved pasture crops or cash crops. Third, removal of excess water can materially improve soil soil aeration, soil structure, and conditions, temperature with the conditions involved organic matter decomposition. Fourth, in the salty soil areas good drainage is essential for the satisfactory removal of the salt. Contrary to popular opinion, salt is not removed by running water over the surface of the land. Salt does not wash off the soil surface, but it leaches down through the soil profile and can be removed in the drainage water. If drainage is seriously restricted, the process of salt removal is extremely slow and reclamatior is usually impractical. Your drainage layout will depend upon your local soil and conditions. The topograph'C spacing of drains is largely determined by the type of soil. In clay soils, it is often necessary to have close spacing drains. In the sandy and gravelly soils wider spacing Gives very satisfactory results. If the water is moving into the area through sandv and gravelly layers, a cutoff drain at the head of the f V ' may be adequate to correct the drainage problem. In all cases t'. c effectiveness of the drainage ytem will depend upon the . .erials being drained and the layout of your drainage system in accordance with the requirements of the local situation. In such areas of Utah, dra'nage problems are due to artesian pressure in the lower parts of the valley. In these situations the most effective type of drainage would be pumping water from the deep underlying gravelly layers which carry the water and the artesian thus removing pressure. In some situations the need for drainage does not show up until irrigation is practiced in the area. It it not always to install artificial drains. Sometimes poor drain-- , age conditions can be prevent-ethrough controlled irrigation and good water management or through ditch and canal lining. Christensen Dr. cautions, "Before you install a drain or a drainage system on your farm, you should consult vour county agent, your local S.C.S. tec'inic'an, or a competant dra;na?e eng'neer. Surveys by aualified technicians will supply the information reauired to nro-era drain or design dra'nase svstem to fit your farm needs." nes-essa- 1 LEADER FERTILIZER SUPPLEMENT March 25, 1965 Tremonton, Utah Fertilize For Better Fruit Growtl 1 continued from page 4 in Symptoms of deficiency iron, manganese and zinc are indicated in the Extension leaflet along with recommendations for correcting the problems. If you suspect any of these deficiencies, check the Extension leaflet for further information and control recommendations. You have to use a tfttle arithmetic in figuring your fertilizer because they don't contain 100 per cent nitrogen. Ammonium nitrate, 33 N, is actual nitrogen so multiply the amount needed by your trees by 3 to determine how many pounds of fertilizer to apply. For ammonium sulfate, 20 N, you would multiply by S. You don't need to be a tree doctor, but you should learn to recognize some of the symp- toms that indicate certain fertilizer needs. For example, nitrogen deficiency may be noted . by pale yellowish-greeleaves, short, thin shoot growth, small, poor quality fruit, and general lack of tree vigor. On the other hand, if you have excess nitrogen, you would have poorly colored, late maturing fruit which doesn't store as well as other fruit. You will also often have excessive growth and water sprouts. t) n fn III Hi mi imiimi tffc 00 U.S. SAVINGS BONDS mini mi m in iimiiii - J s lv DRIVER'S SEAT "Slow Down and Live." "The life you save may be your own." "Drinking Drivers Die." These broad, emotional appeals are typical of the traffic safety effort in America. Considering t h e traditional practicality which is a legacy to American society from its an pioneer forbears, perhaps to appeal also should be made the driver's business sense. That's what Iowa authorities did. They conducted a test in Polk County (Des Moines), islicsuing reflective "safety" ense plates to 60 per cent of the automobiles. THE : ' ' i 4 rifm Hi SULFUR For bigger farm profits and . . . Fertilize TREBLE GOLDEN HARVEST FERTILIZERS from your local Co-o- p dealer Spring planting is just around the corner. For increased profits, fertilize your land early. Early fertilization allows the fertilizer more time to decay soil residues and decrease soilcompaction.lt also lengthens the growing season. If you don't have spreading equipment, have your dealer spread it for you or rent your equipment at a low, low co op price. Part of every Co-odollar you spend comes back to you! REMEMBER: p still available! All other types of fertilizer at your most reliable source of supply. Call COLLECT for spreading date. FERTILIZER CO. Phone Bear River Co-o- p Corinne, Utah 255-560- 255-272- ' for profit! Early fertilization gets crops off to a last start . . . promotes rapid and heavier growth of cover crops and other vegetation ... . increases water-holdin- g capacity of the soil. Fertilize MINERAL Midvale. EARLY Utah early with United States Steel's or 6 1 Collinslon. Ulah Phone from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. 458-313- 4 Fertilizers 4 F9ftftr44 IwtfMlBrii . . |