As  the  aeration  of  our  heavy  clay  soils  is  one  of  the  probleaas,  I
may  state  the  modus  operandi.  Bore  holes  at  regular  distances,
twenty  or  even  thirty  feet  apart,  about  eight  feet  deep  with  a
three-inch  augur;  put  in  a  stick  of  dynamite,  with  sufficient
fuse  to  reach  the  surface,  and  then  tamp  the  soil  in  again  firmly,
and  set  it  off.  This  will  not  blow  it  up,  but  shatter  the  ground
and  subsoil  in  all  directions  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet,  and  the  work
is  done.  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  our  cold,  white  soils  of  Polk
and  other  counties  would  be  largely  improved,  and  feel  confident
that  instead  of  producing  only  eighteen  to  twenty-five  bushels  of
wheat  would  yield  forty  to  fifty,  iiF  treated  in  this  way.  The  pro-
ceeds from  the  sale  of  this  increased  yield  the  first  year  would
probably  cover  the  entire  cost  of  dynamiting.  Fruit  trees
planted  on  soil  thus  treated  can  send  their  roots  down  deep  for  a
continuous  supply  of  moisture  and  nourishment  in  summer  and


222  ElBPOBT   OF   9TATB   BOARD   OF   EOBTICULTORB.
the  laod  would  be  so  thoroughly  draiued  that  the  trees  coald
better  resist  the  attacks  of  such  fungus  diseases  as  are  caused  by
the  roots  standing  in  too  much  water  during  our  winters.  Ex-
periments made  ia  Utah  and  California  have  proven  very  suc-
cessful.
Nor  is  very  rich  soil  desirable.  This  encourages  too  much
wood  growth,  and  trees  wilt  not  set  fruit  buds.  Besides,  trees
set  in  rich  soil  will  be  longer  coming  into  bearing  than  similar
trees  in  poorer  soil.
