Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-04-26

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matter. To determine which kind q e9l
preponderates in soil, generally requfS
but little attention or skill. The presence
of lime or calcareous matter in soils is de-
termincd by drying some Of it and pouring
upon it some acid-sulphuric acid, orsfroag
vinegar will do; and the violence OF the =
efferyescence or foaning will be in proper.
ton to the lime in the soil. Clay and sand,
and their respective proportions, are. N
general so easily distinguishedby the farn,ef
as to need no remark. Mari however sls
sometimes mistaken for clay, but the ap.
plcation of an acid instantly shows the dli-
ference. Perhaps the best soil that can be
found is a true sandy loam, containing shsae
enough to ensure the decomposition OF aii =
vegetable matter, clsy enough to prevent IFS
baking, or hardening in tho sun. SUCH o.
soil is adapted to the production OF great,
or variety of vegetables than any other and
produces them in greater pertection' slncc
it is generally Of first rate quallty: us
evident therefore at first sight, that IN order
to cultivate farm successfully, some Know
ledge of the constituent parts OF ITS SOIL Is
necessary. Experience has proved that tne
use Of lime has great effect in tertlllzing
some soils; but to SOW lime on a thoFougpiy
calcareous soil would be like carrying Goals
to Newcastle, and to lavish gypsum Or,
plaster upon wet heavy clay soils, would oe
a waste of both time and money; YET now
often do we see farmers, from the want OF
a little knowledge or attention, pursuing
course ofhusbandry equally absurd. "hen'
the quantity of sand is SO great as 10
render the soil porous and iriah,e' cay
should be Incorporated with 1t, ana wnei.
the clay is in such quantity as TO n,aSe u
tenacious and liable to bake hard and crack
in the sun. sand should beput upon II w'ta
the evil is removed. Upon soils purely cal'
careous, sand andclay united should be pun,
and upon all, vegetable mold or amman
manure should be literally used, the.
highest degree Of ameliorationi rs our oojeet.'
Ma,l is another important ingredient mthe
formation of soils. 1t is substance con.
| 81 sting of lime mixed with a greater or less
| quantity of clay and sand, and freqdently
containing marine and animal remains.
Where it can be applied in considerable
quantities to sandy soil-and nature seems
to have wisely and kindly placed them IN
iuxta. position, (witncss the sandy plains OF
Gong Island, Jersey, and the south, Ut
converts such from being comparatively
worthless, to the richest and most productive
kind. 1t is by the judicious use OF mari
and manure, that Judge Buel Of Albany has
brought his sandy pitch.pine knolls to such
an astonishing state Of produetiSencss anu
fertility.
We shall here give the definition of'aifew
-othcr words and phrases, In addition to
those above, as by long use, or appropriate.
ness; they have become necessary part OF
an agricultural vocabulary. 80
Tegetcole Mat!er.-AIl vegetable sub
stances, in decomposed or rotten state.
Animal Matter.-AN animal substances
the same situation.
Organic Mater.-Both animalan vegc-
table substances in decayed state.
Long Manure.-Is barn-yard manure
before it is rotted, as fresh cornstaiks or
straw. Circumstances may justify the use
Of manure in this state, but experience has
proved that it is not the most profitable
Wav.
Short Manure.-This is manure tho
roughly decomposcd or ro:ted in the yard.
In this state it may be. cut with spade and
shoveled us common earth.
Fossil Manure. is principally COM
posed oflmc, mari, shells and plaster, and
on suitable soils is very valuable, heavy
dressing lasting for years.
COMPOST lIanure.-Ths is made by
mixing various substances such as leaves
from the forest, mud from the brook, weeds
from-the field OF garden, the wash of roads.
and M general any vegetable, ANIMAL or
mineral matter, that Can assist decomPosi.
ton into common mass, and when possible,
turning them frequently until reduced to
fine rich earth. This manure is mos.
valuable for the gardener is those operations
where nothing not perfectly rotted can be
allowed.
SoiEng.-Is the feeding of cattle in q
barn or yard during the summer with fresh
grass or roots. As grass for soiling the
lucerne is highly recommended, though the
common clover isgenerally used. Ofroots,
the mangeI wurtzel is often preferred, since
its large fcshy leaves are ready for picking
early in the season, anu provided the young
and crown leaves are undisturbed, may be
repeatedly stripped for food, until the rpot
itself arrives at sufficient maturity tor iced
ing.
Rotation of Crop, is change from one
kind of vegetable or plant to another IN
succession on the same ground. Its nse-
fulness depends on the fact, that different
nlants 90 not take from the soil the same
substances in the same proportions Thus
wheat does better after peas, barley or corn.