Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-08-27
ON THE MEANS OF INCREASING
THE FERTILITY OF LAND.

The productiveness of any soil, we think,
depends entirely Oh its natural or artificial
capability of retaining or transmitting its
moisture, the vehicle al least by which nour-
ishment is conveyed to plants. This pro-
ductive power may therefore not only be
continued in its greatest vgor, but greatly
increased by proper management. When
we by any means give to the soil perma-
nenlly increased vegctative power, we also
increase the yearly produce which it yields.
Such soil will give not only frmness to
support the plants, but will facilitate the
growth OF their roots in search of moisture
and nourlShmcnt to the greatest depth.
There is not an individual who cul,vatcs
garden, and who exercises his judgment
in its culture, but Knows that the addition of
clay gives cohesion 10 sandy or gravellN
soils, and that sand and gravel when mixed
with clayey soil dimnishes its tenacious
property; and that these changes, thus eff
tectcd, permanently increase the productive
powers of both.
In our endeavor to improve barren soils,
we should examine them in connection with
fertile soils IN their ncighborhood on the
same geological formation; and the diile-
renee Of their constituent pats may lead us
TO the means of their Improvement. If the
cause of sterility be owing to some defects in
their composition, these defects should be
supplied. An excess Of silicious sand is im-
proved by the application of clay, peat earth,
or calcareous matter, cold well rotten ma
nure, and rolling or lramping with sheep or
other stock, to consolidate its texture.
When clay is in excess, it is rcmedied by
the application Of sand, chalk-marl, or burn
ed clay, light unlermented manurcs, and per-
feet pulverzaton, TO make the soil friable.
An excess Of vegetable matter in dormant
state, as in pea,y soils, is corrected by burn
ing, by the application Of clay, sand, cal
careous matter, gravel, rubble, or any thing
heavy, to give hrmness to the soil. Lime
not only destroys the injurious effects pro-
duced by sulphac of iron, which abo,nds in
some soils, particularly in those of a peaty
and slcious gravelly nature, but is said to
convert the sulphate of iron into manure
None Of these applications, however, wi!
have the desired effect, unless there be firs
a perfect subsoil drainage of all supertluous
moisture, conjolned with perfect tllagc
Stagnant water, in any soil, meis down
the particles OF matter which composes il
and JOINS them together in close contact; i
prevents the air and water from circulating
among the roots of the plants, and they
therefore die. When a cayey soil has bcel
thus closed together by stagnant water, it re-
qulres to be perfectly drained, and it cal
only be recovered BY repeated ploughing
and borrowings, together with the pulverlz
ing influence of frost to bring it into fl
state for vegetation, and if II has been lou.
under water, it acquires pernicious quail
~, which can only be got quit of with grea
MISUNDERSTANDING, and the application
OF lime, has great effect in reyivlng it..
The first principles of agriculture, whicl
are shewn by the best practice, are few
they may be stated to be these make an,
, keep the land perfectly dry, and clean, o
free from weeds; make and keep the soil
7 which is too adhesive or too loose, of such {
iriablc nature as will make il receive, retain
and transmit moisture, and thus fit il TO pro
duce the most luxuriant state of vegetation
restore to the soil, as manure, in state o
decay, the greater part, if not the whole, o
the produce after it has been consumed b,
sheep or other stock. Never manure an,
land til every weed IS eXtermInated. fo