Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-11

are the henefactors Of mankind, who bestow ON pos
teriy their most refined pleasures, aud their
YORKTOWN, NOV. 9, 1918.
Sir: Being Of that class of society de-
nominated agricultural, beg leave thro'
you (the organ of communication to ten
der TO the +" Agricultural Society of Vir-
ginia." my thanks for their exeriions 10
revive the almost expiring husbandry OF
our country. have been much graiified
IN the perusa of their proceedings, and
hope edited by the communications they
have given TO the public. Let them siea-
Oily proceed in their laudable objects
they will soon receive the need of their
useful and patriotic labors, in the APP
plause and gratitude of their fellow men,
and III ilie delightful reflection of having
advanced The character and prosperity OF
their country.
VIXEN reflect that agriculture is the
only source whence man, and NAV saw
almost all animated nature, derive the
means of subsistence, am astonishcd at
the neglect, and apparent contempt, with
which she has been treated. Indeed. UNI
I'll within few years, the pursuits of hus.
Dandry were not deemed the most repu-
table, or honorable. What can that be
ausht than reputable, which gives bread
TO man! Can that be aught than honora-
bic, which increases individual and ma
mona! prosperity And yet, when on one
side view with exuliation, the increas-
ing commerce of this nation, anfurling
her swelling canvas TO every breeze, and
on every sea; nurtured, and supported,
by legislative aid and legislative protec-
ton on the other am appalled, by the
melancholy picture which her elder turin
s,Ster, agriculture, presenfs-sinking un-
der unmerited neglect, and pining in un-
assisted obscurity, apparently "the world
forgetting, certainly by the world for
got. -" Look OIL this picture, and on
ihat, and laying your hand upon your
heart, deny. II you can, that the industry
and enterprise of mankind have been too
long diverted from pursuit and occupa-
non, which seems to have been marked
by heaven, as theirmost useful (and conse
quently) honorable avocation. The Sag
rlcultural Society of Virginia" having
thrown open the doors Of eAauiry. and
solicited The lights of experimental know
ledge, beg leave TO obtrude upon their
Time, and to offer 10 them the results of
some crude experiments on substances for
Inanures. The patriotic and enlie h iened
president OF your society has been pleased
10 say, (and very JUSTLY lliai" the first ne
cessIty OF agriculture is fertility :" permit
me 10 add, that the grand arcanum of good
lusDandry, Is the production of The great
est possible quantity of feriiliziug earth.
In the present exhausted state of our lands
produced by the unaiding and unrelent
ing culture, q meanno disrespect to their
memory OF our progenitors, il becomes
absolutely necessary TO resort TO artificial
and natural manures TO restore their lost
fertility. Fully impressed with this belief.
few years past, my attention was drawn
10 marine vegetable, which promises TO
reward theiaborer for his toil-ihe "kcIp,"
or sea weed, as II is commonly termed
This is an Indigenous plant, growing on
the beds of our rivers. and thrown nnon
tn IT shores by the tides. commenced
my experiments in 1909, thus Il cover
ed space ofland of ten acres with klein.
about three inches deep; il was taken
from the shore In an undecayed state. and
dripping with the salt wafer of the river.
"A cart load OF 10 or IL bushels lin its wet
Stale II is very heavy was deposited at
each angie or corner OF space of land
I'VE yards square; these bulks were spread
inward OF the square, until they met. and
was equally dItfused over the whole
surface IT was intended for. When the
whole space of Ten acres was thus covered
II was Immediately plOughed in, will, the
largest plough then in use among us this
was done IN winter--the ensuing summer
II was planted with corn. The average
product OF this land, was three barrels per
acre. The soil was light, some grit and
some shell intermixed. The corn. OIL the
piece thus MANFRED, took an earlier start
IN vegetation than the corn in the adioin
ing land, and throughout The summer
preserved lis superiority in color and lux
uriancy. The product, q write only from
memory, having preserved no memoran-
ia OF any of my experiments) was, as well
as can now recollect, tifty-eigbt barrels
OF clean, sound, long corn.
Encouraged by iliis experiment, the en-
suing spring | attempted one other vii,
kelp. Four acres of land of The QUALITY
above described, we're well covered i'm lie
manner above stated, aud turned i'm I"
and III March sOwn with oats, as was the
surrounding land. Tile oats on the sea.
weed land soon manifested decided SUI
perlorlly, distinguisIabe by their iucreas
Ell height, and rich, deep green color
which, they maintained over the other oats
until the period ofrlpeniDg. The produce
cannot state, because not measured as
much OF tie crop was lost, by the falling
or lodging of The oais, the CONSEQUENCE
OF tier extreme luxuriance. III mistake
not, you, sir, were an evidence of this ex-
pertinent you saw the oats i'm the monil,
OF May. | remember the expressaI of
your conviction of the value of kclp as a
manure.
Not satisfied with these experiments. I
proceeded TO the trial of kelp as manure
Tor tobacco. An halt acre of land. in a
held OF eight acres, was covered with klein.
solely the rest Of tie field was we'll ma
nured from cowpens and stables. At first.
The plants IN the hills of the part where
the kelp was, appeared feeble, nor grew