FERTILIZERS. 85 



The unlocking of the mineral elements of the soil, or, in other words, changing its 

 mechanical condition, as well as the destruction of troublesome weeds, can, it seems to us, be 

 accomplished in a more economical way, and without wasting any of the soil elements; and 

 that is by the &quot;green fallow,&quot; which has generally taken the place of the old.time fallow sys 

 tem. Some green crop, such as clover or buckwheat, is often sown after the plowing, and 

 allowed to grow until at the proper stage of growth for plowing under; in this way the 

 advantages of vegetable manuring are secured, with but slight expense of time or labor, and 

 the soil will acquire more nutriment and benefit by the vegetable manure than if allowed to 

 lie idle, while all troublesome weeds that are plowed under before ripening their seeds will 

 not be self-sown. &quot;Where the land lies idle, some recommend that the plo wings be about six 

 weeks apart. We consider that land is better prepared for grain, or any other crop, by the 

 use of vegetable manures as above described, than by the fallow system. 



Fall Fallowing. The old-time practice of summer fallowing, or working the soil for 

 a year without a crop, for the purpose of producing a larger crop the second season, is, as 

 previously stated, regarded as nearly obsolete by the best agriculturists of both this country 

 and Europe. Whatever may be the opinion concerning the summer fallow, there can be no 

 doubt whatever of the value of fall fallowing. The benefits derived from the latter practice 

 are very justly set forth by the following extract from one of our leading agricultural 

 journals: 



&quot;The constant turning and working of the ground during the fall months cost nothing 

 but time and labor, at a season when these cannot be otherwise employed, and so, in reality, 

 cost nothing. But the benefits to the soil are very considerable. Especially is this the case 

 with heavy clay soils, and less, in a descending ratio, through the gradations from heavy clay 

 down to light loams at least, it is so considered by many; and it is reasonable to suppose 

 that if the atmospheric effects upon the particles of a clay soil serve, to some extent, to dis 

 solve the mineral particles, they may easily do the same service for a sandy soil, and help to 

 set loose some of the potash contained in the granitic or feldspathic particles of such a soil. 

 The mechanical effects of the fall-working are certainly more useful upon clay than a light 

 loam ; but there are other purposes to serve than merely to disintegrate the soil, and mellow 

 and loosen it. There are weeds to destroy, and the forwarding of the spring work by the 

 preparation of the ground for early sowing. These services are xiseful for a light soil as a 

 heavy one, and as it is reasonable to look for some advantage from the working in the way 

 of gain in fertility on light as well as heavy soils, it is advisable that owners of either kind 

 should avail themselves of whatever benefits the practice affords. Fall fallowing consists in 

 plowing and working the soil with the cultivator or the harrow. This may be done at such 

 intervals as may be convenient, or which will help to start some weeds into growth, when 

 these may be destroyed by the harrow or cultivator. Heavy soils should be left in rough 

 ridges at the last plowing, with as deep furrows between them as possible, in order to expose 

 the largest surface to the effects of frost and thaw. Light soils may be left in a less rough 

 condition, but the last plowing should be so done as to throw the furrows on edge, and not flat, 

 leaving the field somewhat ridged. A very little work in the spring will put the ground into 

 excellent order for the early crops, and for spring wheat, especially, this better condition of 

 the soil will be of the greatest benefit. When thus treated in the fall, the soil is remarkably 

 mellow, and is dry enough to work much earlier than the compact stubble-land which remains 

 as it was left after the harvest. As to the time for doing this work, the sooner it is begun 

 and the oftener it is repeated, the better. It is not too late to finish when the ground is 

 frozen, or there is an inch of snow on the ground.&quot; 



