TILLAGE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 279, 9 November 1931, Page 10

TILLAGE

THE NEED FOR IT. The question of tillage is closely allied with that of war ning, more particularly with regard to the supply of nitrogen available for the crop Nitrification is most active during the end of summer so that as a genera) rule the quantity of “available” nitrogen in the soil in early autumn is greater than in any other part of the year. The most favourable conditions for the full development of the process of nitrification are warmth, moisture and free aeration of the soil. Tillage has, therefore, a most important part to play in the promotion of these conditions The early ploughing of stubbles is an essentia) factor, inasmuch as 't. not only conserves the moisture in the ground, but enables the air to pass freely through the pores of the soil. For this reason ploughing should be followed as soon as possible by cultivating and harrowing in order to give the soil a thorough stirring. The tractor has proved invaluable for early autumn cultivation, and the advantages of deep ploughing and early seeding made more possible by its use can always be seen at harvest time. Satisfactory germination of the seed and favourable climatic conditions result in the crop getting a good start and a strong “plant” being established. Thorough autumn cultivation not only does much to supply the young plant with “available” nitrogen, but also goes a long way to provide it with favourable conditions for its early development.