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Show Page 7 observation an in Reprinted from Our Land and Its tare Published by the National Plant I oud Institute The l arth is a sphere 8.000 miles in circumference with a of approximately 200.000,000 square m.ies of which about one th.rd is land and two thirds water. surface A relatively thin layer of topsoil, which covers the land at an average plowr clepth of about 7 inches, is the c hief support of of our land We fought and won two great Our Land And Care Reprint from Our land and Its Care Published by the National Plant Food Institute Hie use of fertil.er is in Ixith erosion control and soil impiovement Fertilizer provides effective means of control!. ng soil erosion in two ways: By promoting rapid and of heavier growth grass, cover crops and other vegetation. This is one of the most effective ways to bind the and soil, check water run-of- f increase water holding rapacity. The dense vegetation and larger supply of crop residues resulting from adequate fertilization help to improve soil structure and develop a more absorptive surface soil. By increasing crop yields on less erodible land. This reduces the need for growing cultivated crops on land subject to severe erosion. Such land can then be used for permanent grass and crops which check erosion. Many soils already are too low in plant food supplies for profitable crop production F.rosion now is controlled better than ever before but continues to deplete plant food supplies. Plant food losses from cropping and leaching as well as from erosion, are continuous and require constant attention. Commercial fertilizer helps make up plant food losses and is one of the most effective means of improving soils of low natural fertility. This statement is supported by the National Planning Associa tion in its publication Fertilizers in the Postwar EcoFrom this report this nomy. is statement significant taken: Even Tuesday, March 21, HC1 The Tooele Bulletin on sods of low na- tural fertility the use of fertilizers and other good management practices make possible a successful agriculture, especially where the area is e suited to crops that can pay for rather liberal application of fertilizers high-valu- .... It should be noted that dux N MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IHIani wars within 30 years. Our victories were due, in a large measure, to the Laid and fiber pro dined on our farms. During World War II, despite shortages of labor, equipment and supplies, our farm lands produced the re cord - bteaking food and f.ber THE SOIL that supports life crops necessary to meet the deis crated by the fortes of nature-th- mands of our people and millions action of the sun, atmosphere in other countries. and water along with plant and animal life, on the materials that Today American agriculture is comprise the earth. Soil is a resi- faced with the task of not only due of weathered minerals finding and clothing an ever in and decaying organic muter. It creasing population at home, blit supplies mechanical support for furnishing large quantit.es of food vegetation and raw materials fot for other nations Our continued leudorsh. p and influence world plant foods. will depend largely upon the ste Many, many years are required by nature to produce a single wardsh.p of our sod. inch of topsoil. Yet, all of umi WISE management, our this good work of nature may be land can hi ht pt productive to destroy id by man in a relatively meet the growing needs of our fiw years by careless land man- people. There are areas of land in this country which have been agement. Our soil is the foundation of cultivated continuously for nearly our happiness, prosperity and pro- lot) years, yet are still as good gress. Deeply rooted in the earth or better than before. are our independence, our saftty Most unproductive soil can be and the welfare of our people. made useful by intelligent manAMFRICA owes her position as agement. Whether we own land or a grat nation to her sod and its not, we are di pendent upon the produce. The power, wealth and products of the soil for necessities vigor of our people are d.rectiy of ide and each of us has a vital due to the marvelous productivity concern in maintaining its pro- x .ty, life. The world's anmi.il produc turn of food and Ft r products comes largely fiom this sod lay-tr- . less than half of the earth's mis is suitable for crop produc tion. -- I V rks, Pretty Pat Sorenson, secretory for a major Intermountain potato processing firm, holds op two potatoes to demonstrate how growers can boost their potato yield by as much os three timet through proper nitrogen fertilization, combined with the latest recommended management practices. Cosily convinced and apparently more interested in Pat than the potatoes are Dr. Roy C. lippt, western agronomist for U. S. Steel from Salt lake City, and Don Bokes, ogronomist for J. R. Simplot Cons pony in Idaho. FERTILIZER... and Increased Farm Income Froper application of the right hind of fertilizer can increase crop yield and boost farm profits. Soils vary widely in their needs for fertilizer. Some require nitrogen, some phosphorus, some potash, some need in the right balance. all three This is a good time of the year to test your soil to determine if it is ready to produce at peak efficiency. Your county agent will be happy to show you how it can be done. Youll find this is a good time of the year to check financial condition, too. Come in and talk to your our people, let them show you how you can get the most from your money through the money control which a First Security checking account provides. Theyre ready bi discuss your agricultural financing problems, too. un- der some conditions fertilizer may be used to secure an immediate increase in production. Numerous experiments show' that the yield of corn, cotton, hay or other crops may be increased from 50 to more than 200 percent by one application of fertilizer. Thus fertilizers play an important role in a good land management program. - First Security Bonk of Idaho, N A. First Security Bonk of Utoh, N A. 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