GREEN MANURING

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1639, 9 May 1925, Page 7

GREEN MANURING

The value of green manure crops has been clearly proved by years of farm practice in many countries. To maintain the organic content of the soil, green manure crops must . be utilised.

. Any systeip of agriculture that tends permanently to lower the organic matter of the soil is impractical and improvident, as well as unscientific. If every farmer would realise this fact, and then live up to it, the country would double its agricultural output in a few years. Organic matter is the measure of soil fertility. Theoretically one can get too much organic matter, but practically it is never done. Eight to ten tons of green manure is a light dressing, fifteen tons is a medium, and twenty-five is a heavy dressing to the acre for ordinary soil. Manure is one of the best humus builders and fertilisers.

An authority on fertility and crops says:—“Many thousands of tons of commercial fertilisers have been and are being applied without evidence of appreciable effect upon yields of crops simply because used upon soils deficient in organic matter.” Such a condition, for example, as compactness of soil can be remedied, not by application of concentrated fertiliser, but only by a generous and wise supply of organic matter. Organic matter is the life of the soil. Without it, soil is nothing but rock powder. It is useless to inject concentrated feed into a lifeless body. Organic matter acts like a sponge. It shrinks and expands in wetting and drying. It conserves moisture and holds heat. It holds fine particles apart, making a friable, loamy soil that will not cake.. The best cure for a soil that runs together and packs is organic matter. It absorbs plant food that is in solution, and prevents it from leach ing out in the drainage water. It is the home of the soil bacteria, whose work is very important to plant life.