Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1842-03-23
NO. g..

poraie the clay with the sand is the cheap
est, aud tho ouly certain mode OF render
ing suci, soils capable Of pernauen, fertili-
~.
Owing 10 the ease with which water
peneira,es soil, in which sand constitutes
too large n proportion. they soon become
exhausted OF the alkali which is iudi.pen-
sable in the formation of ants, and the
growth Of sward being impossible, The sur
face becomes more impoverished and loose,
Ashes distributed on such soils furnish the
required alkalies, and hence the great ad.
vantage Of their use. As fully demonstrated
on the sands Of Long Island and New
jersey. as Iwell rs those of Belgium and
Holland. Soap boilers ashes. or The leach
cd ashes Of Tie asheries OF The country. are
Invaluable for The purpose. as they still re-
tain sutfcicn, akali. while the earlhs Of
lime aud clay combined add TO the neccs.
sary constituents Of The soil. and partially
restore the proper equilibrium Of the origin.
a! elements. Liebig, in his lalc valuable
work on organic chemistry. explains most
satisfactorily The ec,iun Of the alkaline
matters SO contributed 10 Ibc soil. and
their absolute necessity where fertility is
10 be expected. The first effort 10 i'm
proving sandy soils should be 10 change
It's character, then TO cover it with a swarc.
or growth of clover; and when this can
be effected, the great obstacle to rendering
them fertile or capable OF cultivation, is
overcome.
There is no soil on which gypsum pro-
duces 50 great, or such iinnedaie effect,
as on sandy ones; aud from its effect on
these has originated the impression that
gypsum is great exhaus,er of soils. 1,
- evident that where but given quaint
~ o! alSailue matter exists in q soil, the
more vigorous tue plants we produce on
ii by the use OF substances that afford 40
alka!i, the sooner i, will be exhausted Of
that ingredient, aud become incapable of
growing plants. Gypsum furnishes no al.
Kali; and rs seudy soil.. :or the reasons
stated above, contain bti liule, tina, ma
nure by stimulating The rapid growth OF
vegetation e1hausts it rapidly. But olh-
er sub,taDces used as n,auurcs that con-
tain nu alkali, produce the same exhaust.
Ing effects, horn shnvings for instance
These facts sicw the proper course to bo
pursued in the treatment of sandy soils.
d: JUDGED all others where tho alka!ies
are deficient. AianHfss arc 10 be appIi-
cd which coatain- the necessary aka
hes, IN connection with the gypsum. Ash
es, green crops. clover led oil On the
ground or iurucd u9der, auimal mauures.
or indeed any substance in which a!knli
abound will be louud useful, Lime is
valuable, but on sandy soils which are al
ready too dry, the eiiec; is not as percepii-
bic os on heavier soils. which i, assists in
rendering more friablr. Us well as giving
flesh supplies .! akali. By changing the
character Of 4 sandy soil, and giving 1.-THE
power Of retaining the mauures aud aka
lies furnished it, we speedily convert il in
To rich loain. easy 10 cultivate. aud most
abundant in lis products. There j, not. we
are convinced. farm such as our cores
pundenl has indicated. in New England,
that may not be reclaimed" aud restored
to fertility. and in nine cases ort Of ten.
The materials may be found on the farm
where they are wanted. 4 Swamp,
4 peat boz. will furnish the clay
aud the vegetable matter necessary to in
sure pruduclivcness; it is the business OF
the !urncr 10 search for, aud apply lhc,n.