Q2 SOILS 



stimulant that induces plant food to seek solubility rather 

 than to remain concealed with the components that are 

 useless as nutriment for plants. 



The role that tillage plays. Every one who tills the 

 land, knows that tillage favors the act and increases the 

 productivity of soils. The proof of this is furnished 

 wherever thorough work with the plow and harrow are 

 done ; wherever the soil is opened or stirred by any tool 

 of any sort ; wherever the soil is loosened or fined, or 

 mellowed, by means of any description the soil will yield 

 forth its fat in the crops produced thereby. 



Tillage does its work in many ways, the important ones 

 being: 



1. The increase of available plant food. 



2. The beneficial effects that result in a mechanical 

 way. 



3. The assistance rendered chemical changes. 



4. The increase of the water-absorbing and retaining 

 content of the soil. 



5. The destruction of weeds through tillage. 

 Available plant food is increased. Since large stores 



of potential plant food exist in the soil, they should be 

 called into active use; and they may be so called, if 

 effort is directed in the right way, that the qualities mak- 

 ing them unattractive to plant roots may be eliminated. 

 Only soluble food finds favor with plants; they reject all 

 other sorts. It is the role of tillage to secure soluble plant 

 food, to put hitherto insoluble substances into available 

 forms, to insure stability in the food stores, and, even to 

 increase, the normal supply. 



Beneficial mechanical effects. The soil is the real 

 home of the plant ; there the roots grow and gather food. 

 Any agency that renders this home more attractive and 

 comfortable, that increases the ease with which roots 



