FERTILIZERS 9 



FIBROUS ROOTS. 



8. If the soil is poor, the roots are very long and 

 develop very few fibres and root hairs. But in a 

 rich soil they are short and well branched, often 

 forming a perfect mat of fibres. Under such fertile 

 conditions the root hairs are more numerous and the 

 plant's contact with the soil and its feeding powers 

 are much greater. Consequently, roots develop 

 where the food is. Fertilizers should be applied as 

 deep as possible, so that root development will not 

 be encouraged near the surface. (63) (79). 



SHALLOW WORK. 



9. If the application of fertilizers and water is 

 limited to the top foot the most of the fibres are de- 

 veloped there, and deep ploughing and cultivation 

 become questionable policy. Thick \vater conserv- 

 ing mulch becomes impossible, (see frontispiece). 

 This is the actual condition where impervious strata 

 or "hard pan" lies near the surface. 



DEEP WORK. 



10. In open, deep soils where water can go down 

 easily, the plant food is more widely distributed and 

 likewise the fibrous roots. Here, deep work and a 

 deep mulch are possible, and in case of water short- 

 age, would be found a great advantage, as there is a 

 better reserve supply in the sub-soil. 



APPLY FERTILIZER DEEPLY. 



11. Present practice applies all fertilizer between 

 the surface and the bottom of the plow furrow. 

 This is unavoidable, even in open soils where the 

 water is easily absorbed. Methods of effecting 



