Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1832-10-22

Intellectual and useless, as the ADMINISTRATION ofthe
most nourishng food TO sick man. soil chiefly
| composed OF sand is too porois II does not retain
enough Of moisture; it admits light and heat SO
freely as to cause n very rapid dissolution of all
tho vegetable matters that happen TO be Incorporate
ed with it, We call il hungry soil, and say manure
does cool because it never lasts I'LL any Is na-
tuied Its force is all expended, like that of pro-
digal soa, before the highest energies have ever
been demanded.
This soil we should not attempt TO cure with
mere naatves; we should engage ut once in the
work changing, totally changing, the texture Oft.
MANY Of the substances already enumerated can
be applied in such portions, as viii greatly alter
the character Of sandy soil Aluyion, that has
been collected by streams passing over long beds
ofcnacous earth, with portion OF peat and other
vegetable matters, may possibly prove sufficient TO
remedy all the defects Of it. But hc.e is a more
expeditions and cheaper method of accomplishing
the object Clay, extensive beds Of which are
generally found in the ncgborhood OF sandy soils,
If mixed with them IN Is sc quantities VIII immc-
'lIately and permanently change their character
The particles of these opposite sorts OF earth Will
minglc in such manner, that dews and rain vii
be we'll retained in the soil and light and heat will
be admitted in degrees sufficient 10 decompose vege-
table substances as fast as the growing plants wi
| require nourshment from them but not SO fast as
| before, when there WIS SD raihl Soiutlon WAY
plants were aiwayslelt deslitetc of food i'll an UNI
| ma,ufed state
Tho clay pit should always be the FIST resort in
the preparation Of sandy barrens TO become fruit
ful fields. No definite rudParc necessary in rca-
ton to the quantity of clay that should be applied ;
| the eve and the hand wall determine with suthcl-
Gent accuracy enough when the clay is laid on
| in sufficient portions 10 retain moisture, which Is
the first AMI principal object to be accomplished
Clay, in an unmi xcd state is represented as the
most unricndlv TO vegetation OF amy of the print
tive carlhs. Alithe properties ofit with the eX-
caption Of is power to retain moisture, are sad I"
counleract the vegetatiyc principle. And some
writers have endeavorod to discourage, wholly, the
use and application of it ingiedient IN soils,
! In poetic style it has been sad
IL that carts S d m. es Ind,
He that carts clay hinss his land away"
This index must have been originated in alb
stfact views Of the properties of clay, and without
any atteniiono the defects Of soils composed chief
ly OF the opposite earth. Clay, in iis natural state
retains too much water for the healtl and yigor Of
vegetation it is compact for the roofs ofplants
TO extend themselves and collect nourisiment; it
powerfully counteracts the process If fermentation,
and plants growing in il often suffer in want of
| necessary and proper food. Now nthcse qualities
render it highly important application on sand.
Water passes too soon through sand and is not
compact enou,h 10 give shelter, frmness, and the
necessary prot, cton 10 the roots of plants. Sand
powerfully promotes the Wireflctive process,
and often completes it IN all the vegetable matter
! it contains, long before the time Of taaturity III
plants
In the language of Asricola, sand suffers wa
ter to filter easily through its pores clay IS highly
ret lltivc Of water sand promotes pulrefacon,c clay
/ d,4lnvs sand suffers the onsp, SET at liberty
puireficton to escape; clay oLsorIs the gases ;
sand opens an unobstrocted path for the exclusion
Of the roots of vegetables clay gives them firm
! ness, in .leir course and supplies the moisture
which sustans them. In fine the two mt y be clas-
scd among the contcnding elements, OF which
union he ghtens their common virtues aud subdues
their detects"
Clay and sand are the principal earthly insre,
dents in all soils The operations of nature have
combncd the opposite qualities oithem IN such
variety of ways, as to produce that diversified
texture of soil which is found IL, every country Il,
must be absurd for think the course of nature
in this respect, cannot be usetully initiated by art j;
that where sand is found in its simple state, ii can
not be reduced by the admxure Of clay to good
vegetable mould We cannot easily engage in any
work more certainly useful or that will ultimately
prove more productive. The up hill to be encounter
| ed in this sort of labor should discourage no man !;
every step brings gain and brighicns the prospect.
In these operations the valleys are raised and the
hills are beautfed. Il is work not necessary TO be
| repeated every year, or in any shor succession
4 of years but when once we'll done it is done for
ages.
The utility Of mixing sand with clayey soil IS
seldom Questioned. This is generally down hui
work, and sand is carried in much larger portions
on to clay than clay is ever carried on to sand.
m IL ~. ,n1t IN - RI
sand butbad to cart clay. The effects must be re-
ciprocal, and would always SO appear, II the work
in both cases were equally well performed Doc
trincs which demand few laborious duties gain
an easy currency, whether they relate to phoso-
ply, morals, or religion; they are likely to grow
too popular and be carried into great extremes
This has been the fact i'll the estimates made OF
the uses aud in the application ofsand the results
have been so nanittstly and greatly benefeini,
when property used, the conclusion has been too
hastily drawn that its influence must every where
be salutary, and sometimes IT has been used Ike
, the good wonlans sugar, IN every thing ne
common notion that sand Is suitable application
for low and moist lands, is correct only in relation
to soils ofparteular textures. Many of the low
lands lave very loose and spongy soil; there
may be defects in them bu, sand cannot he the pro
f per remedy Sor,c low and moist lands vii! be
! found on examination, composed chiefly OF sand
10 the depth of several feet. Mix sand with sand
. to any extent and the product can be only sand.
Sundhs are treasures, but like every other sort OF
earthly treasure valuable ouly IN the proper use OIL
them There can be no more tendency IN sand 10
, stimulate a soil ofsimar quality to renewed exef-
ton than there is in increasing wealth 10 stinlu
late the miser to deeds of generosity. The proper
uses of sand in agriculture are its application to te
nacious soils, for the purpose ofopenlng ana 1c-
/! stroying the rgdty of tiem and to clay Tor 'f'e
purpose of.rcducng ito state IN which the footS
! of plants can travel and mud nouti'hhcn'' 'n,o
should always be used in compliance with the rule
| = :.