Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-09-12

exist; but we do aver, that il cannot |
advantageously be cultivated without
1t, and this will appear the more rea-
sonable when the fact is considered, |
that both the kernel and straw contain |
!'me in their composition, which must
be taken up from the earth in the food |
of the plants while growing.
The proper manures for wheat land,
IS subject OF deep Importance, and
before we designate the proper kim.
we will remark as general rules-l.
That long or unfermen,ed manures
never should be Immediately applied to
the wheat crop: .. That whatever
manure may b. applied, lime, in some
OF It's combinations and forms, should
comprise part OF il, unless the land
on which the wheat is to be grown
possesses the mineral naturally, or may
have been previously lined. Ifit be
not convenient to apply full dressing
to the land, very small modicum for
all present purposes will answer say
from three to four bushels to the acre
OF line lime, sown by hand on the sur
face ofthe ground, after the wheat is
in, will do.
Sodper's ashes, whether Of the 6Lack
or bdriila kind, is, perhaps, the very
best manure of all others TO dress
wheat land with. From 100 to 400
bushels to the acre is the proper guam
tlty the former kind is, doubtless, the
most prompt and efficient in giving
character and quantity to the first sue
ceeding crop.
Marl, whether clay or shell, is a
most excellent manure, and when ap-
piled judiciousIy, aud in prope, quanti-
ties, will prove of present as well as of
lasting benefit TO the soil. 1t should,
if possible, always be slrewed over the
ground the winter previous to being
ploughe1 in. From ten to twelve care
loads to the acre is sufficient for first
dressing.
Crushed bones or bone dust, in the
proportion of from % to SO bushels to
the acre, exert a most healthy action
IN the growth of wheat, besides leaving
behind 1t an effect which will last Tor
years.
Slaughter house refuse, as blood and
otfals of all kinds, have been found
emlnently suited to the habiiudcs OIL
wheat.
Thoroughly rotted barn-yard or other
vegetable or animal manure. in the
of from 10 TO 20 double
cart-ioaJs 10 the acre, never fail TO en-
'ure a good crop; but if lima be alb.
'ent from the soil, ii, or some other
;alcareous substance, must be supplied.
md may be put in as we have before
,remised.
Marsh mud mixed, in the proportion
II 20 cart-loads, with 80 bushels of |
lme to the acre, and permitted to de- $
compose in the heap, forms an excel.
ent compost for wheat grounds.
Burnt clay IS another resource, which /
will be found on trial to be cool top I
ressing, in the proportion Of from . to /
800 bushels to the acre.
Sal, in the proportion Of Is bushels
. the acre, will not fail to secure a
rood crop, and leave the ground in good
18th.
Plaster Of Paris, in the proportion
of two bushels to the acre, applied when
The wheat first comes up, pushes for
ward the grain in the fall, encourages
the growth of white clover, and repres-
ses that Of weeds.
PREPARATION OF THE Sou.
If the field to be cultivated in wheat
DO u elOrer-iey or grass-sward, plough
1t at least screen inches deep. FIT be
q tenacious clay, let the furrow-sllce
DC so cut as to meet at the shoulders. |
SO that there may be left drain 10 !
carry oil any superlluous water. Ift |
DO a loan, let the furrow-slice be tu5. |
ned over SO as to lay fiat, us that posi-
lion is the best to encourage aud carry |
on the decomposition of the vegetable |
matters turned in, as also to prevent
the dragging up of the sods in the after
work OF preparation.
The field being thus ploughed. i'll
you have time, set your ROLLERS to
work, and go thoroughly over the |
held; when this is done, pass your har-
rows well over it, then SOW your seed, !
and plough 1t in with the seed plough,
about three inches deep.
II the soil be stG tenacious clan. |
subject TO baking and spewing up the |
gram, 1t "'ll be hes. to leave your field
IN thus condition until spring, when it
should be narrowed crossicjse, and roll. |
lei after sowing your clover or other |
erass-seed On The ground just after be-
ing newly narrowed.
tthe soil be loan, after ploughing |
IN your seed, harrow aud then roll |
H. We make this distinction between /
ground subject to baking, and loan, |
which is not, because the latter will be |
IN condition in the spring following /
Tor the operation of the harrov ubora7