Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1817-07-22
Fur he Portland Gnaeitc.

The present depressed state Of agriculture in the
District Of Maine. is owing, perhaps in a great
measure 10 the want OF experience and a requisite
knowledge IN the science of husbandry It's a
fact we'll known that many farmers at the present
time, do not obtain more than one half or two
thirds the crops of vegetables, on the same extent
Of ground they did in former times with equal la
bour and expense. This sudden decrease Of crops
NAV be accounted for in part on The principle that
land when first cleared from It's original state pos
sesses a stronger soil and consequently Is more pro-
ductive than it is after having been titled for
long time. Those who have large quantities OF ma
nuFe, can, with little labour and expense make
their farms profitable. There are but few that
can get q sufficient supply Of this article. Hence
some expedigat must be resorted to. in order
10 enrich and tertilize our land for cultivation In
England and other countries variety of methods
has been introduced with success, which are wor-
thy the notice of yeomanry.
Old worn out land has been benefited hy sowing
il with English Turnips aud turning sheep to eat
them after they are grown; also by sowing it
with oats and millet, ploughiHg il when the straw
is nearly grown.
Sowing ggan on the same ground for a number
of successive years. has been recommended by expe-
rienced farmers. On particular soils, this method
has been practised with great advantage. 1t is
stated that land which yielded only five bushels TO
acre the hrst time OF sowing has produced fifteen
bushels per acre in few seasons. Indian corn and
potatoes should not be planted two years in rota-
ton on one piece ofana, these articles draw the
strength from the earth and make il barren.
Frequent and repeated ploughng improves land
Moving ground intended Gor tillage the succeed-
ing year, ought to be ploughed soon the grass is
cut then narrowed once fortnight until the frost
sets in. In the spring it should be poughed again
and faithfully narrowed. This operation reduces
The soil to state suitable for the reception Of seed
besides, il is enriched by the dews, which is ons
of the rich treasures of the atmosphere.n
An English writer says the people in that coun-
try generally plough their fields three times which
they plant or sow. And he adds they are we'll re-
warded for their tolls. | would advise husband.
men to sow their wet and heavy lasd in oats the
season before il is planted, Ii should be ploughed
early in June. The crop viii pay the labour, and
the soil is rendered much lighter and more fertile
than it would be ifthe green sward were ploughet
Immediately before planting
1t is high time my brother farmers, we should
endeavour TO make our lands more profitable than
they are at present Let as not be 90 tenacious ia
adhering to the system of agriculture which has
been followed for centuries. Great improvements
have been made in this science, as well as In other
sciences know there is danger Of getting too
full of notions; butif we are wise FOR our own IN
terest, shall certainly avs ourselves Of the ad-
vantsges which may be derived by adopting thosa
improvements sanctioned by reason and experience.
A FARMER.