Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 123 
I believe there is a very important point made there, and one 
well worthy of our consideration. I think in accordance with the 
idea that the Professor dropped, and from investigations that I have 
made, that manure is not important in growing crops. I believe 
it is not so important, because experiments have shown us that a 
plant can derive from other sources all the carbon necessary to 
make a perfect plant without any aid in the way of manure; so 
that if this manure operates in that way, it becomes doubly impor¬ 
tant that we should make use of our manure and incorporate it 
with our soil. And it teaches us the importance of incorporating 
manure with the soil, rather than spreading it upon the surface. 
This peculiar chemical process would show that it is best to in¬ 
corporate the manure with the soil, so that the mineral matter may 
be prepared for plant-food. 
Mr. Benton. Has Professor Daniells thought over the subject 
of the most fit tool for this subject? 
Professor Daniells. Use such as you have and use them well. 
Mr. Benton. I understand they are now cultivating by steam 
in Canada, and some parts of Great Britan, with a hook just dragged 
through the soil, just stirring it without turning it up, but we can¬ 
not put any such thing as that through our corn rows. But as I 
understand, the facts are to be reached from the deep cultivation of 
our corn crop, or to cultivate it deeper before the corn is planted? 
Professor Daniells. You cannot cultivate very deep while the 
crop is growing without destroying it. 
Mr. Benton. How deep will it do to cultivate corn that is 
growing, and how late? I find that most of the roots which sus¬ 
tain plant life are very near the surface, and that deep cultivation 
is not necessar3 r . I find if I have very fine soil I am almost guar¬ 
anteed against drouth. 
Professor Daniells. Suppose your roots only go 4 inches into 
the ground, and when the moisture is used up, where are you going 
to get your moisture? 
Mr. Benton. From the atmosphere. 
Professor Daniells. No you domt, in a dry time. 
Mr. Benton. Well, I think I do. I pulverize the surface of my 
corn field as finely as I can, and every time I stir my com and 
make the soil as fine as I can, I get moisture. I think it is moistened 
from the dew. 
