OCR Text |
Show Soil Inventory Termed Good Management Basis Keep an inventory of the soil's fertility, the same as of buildings, livestock and equipment, advises Middle West Soil Improvement committee. Nearly any farmer knows how many dairy cows, beef cattle, hogs and sheep he has. He also keeps a record of his seed, feed, buildings, build-ings, machinery and fences. Few farmers, however, have an inventory of their principal asset ( CHECK UP ON YOUP SOILS j ('Jy sOi INVENTORY i Jr$s PLANT FOOD Tla.V HITROGEH I tjajpf. ooeiM: r Wi'l-i S0IL TILTH I I Pais I St Co" the soil. Yet a farmer's earning power depends largely on whether his soil's fertility level is high or low. On thousands of farms a soil fertility inventory would show serious seri-ous shortages. Overcropping has used up nitrogen, phosphate and potash. The organic matter supply is scraping the bottom of the barrel. Soil structure has been damaged. Drainage is poor and air circulation circula-tion is shut off. Crop output is low. Restocking the "shelves" of the soil warehouse involves several essential es-sential steps. Plant food is important. impor-tant. But other things also are needed, particularly organic matter and good soil structure. The soil inventory can be improved im-proved faster and at lower cost if "leaks" are halted by conservation measures lhat will slow down runoff run-off and save topsoil and plant foods. Among such measures are contour' cultivation, strip cropping and terracing ter-racing where needed. |