The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-11-14

position Of soil of this kind is by adding
any OF the other earths, whether siliceous
or alumnous. We need not here scruple
10 apply them, because the clay is coarse
or the sand gritty. We may add them IN
almost any form in which they can be con
Henlenlly procured for the effect will be to
improve the composition Of the soil.
There is another case in which, in like
manner, silceous and alumlnous matter may
be applied directly IN almost any state IN
which they can be found. This is 10 the
case Of peat Here the vegetable matter is
in excess and the addition accordingly of
any of the earth is an amendment Of the
composition Of the soil.
We see, then, that the compositions of
soils may be improved by the addition of
animal and vegetable matter, and also, in
many cases, by the addition Of those earths
in which they may be deficient, and 10 an
especial degree, of hme, which we can al.
ways apply in the form of minute division
best suited to improve the composition of
the soil This is The first of the means re
ierred to Of adding TO productive powers of
soils, and will be considered IN detail under
the head Of Manures, and other branches Of
the management of the farm.
The second mode referred 10 Of increas.
ing the productive power of soils, is that Of
altering their texture, depth and properties,
by iiIlage and other means.
The mere effect of that communion Of
the parts Of the soil which it undergocs IN
the common operations Of tIllage. is seen to
/ have beneficial Influence on the productive
powers Of the soil. Whether the soil i'm
bbes from the atmosphere any thing be.
SIDES aqueous vapor or not, II Is known that
! the exposure of the matter of the soil to
| the atmosphere aud the commuuting Of its
parts by tlllage, add permanently TO its fer
I tIllty, Thus we learn from experience the
good effects of tllng lands well. SOILS
once titled are rendered for the most part
more productive by the process. Peaty
turf, If suffered 10 remain IN its original
state, may continue to produce nothing but
heath aud the most useless plants but, if
merely ploughed and exposed 10 the lntlu,
ence Of the atmosphere, il will at once tend
to produce grasses of better KIND and Of
greater variety: and, again If a sub soil
Of coarse clay be exposed to the atmosphere,
it is generally al FIRST very unproductive :
and 1t is not until after long eySSeure, that
it becomes productive. This HSsNst re.
markablc in the case Of clay marl,a sub
stance in ilsclf containing the materials Of
fertile soil, hut which is often barren, uu.
| I'll after puyenZstion and the influence of
the atmosphere.
Ii IS, indeed, eonformable 10 analogy, as
we'll as TO experience, that soils should be
improved by pulyenzation and exposure 10
the atmosphere. In our examination Of the
constituent parts of soiIs, we have seen that
their fertility is in great degree indicated
| by the proportion or mlnulely divided earthly
matter which they contain. The effect of
/ tillage, therefore, may be reasonably sup
posed 10 promote tbs DIVISION, both By the
mechanical action Of our instruments aud by
exposing the particles Of the soil to the &C.
ton Of tue air.
Another purpose sometimes promoted by
tllage aud subservenl to the amendment Of
the soil is TIE deepening of the upper ira.
tum.
The sub soil, it has been seen, is dlstin
gushed from the soil properly so called, by
the former containing less vegetable and
animal nature, aud so being less suitable to
the nourlshment OF plants; and in certain
cases it is even found to be injurious to veg
citation. II is generally important, howev
er, that there be a good depth of soil and
thus it is often expedIent for the eAecIing Of
a permanent improvement Of the surface to
plough up aud mix with it portion of the
sub soil, even though that sub. soil should
be itself lnertlle,