Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-05-31
AGRICUL TURAL.
From the Central New York Farmer.
OF SALT TO LAND.

ARRkkSAVAON VF oAhE ~ LAND
The application of salt is a subject
which has been discussed among farmers
during the last year, and is assuming a
considerable degree OF importance, mas
much as ifthe statements made respecting
j, are correct. many OF the difficulties now
attending the cultivation of our staple
crops will be removed. Many statements
have been published in this country, and
10 Europe, going 10 show that salt when
applied 10 crops, has tendency greaIlyto
increase the product, and also 10 prevent
the depreda,ions OF insects oil many kinds,
which have sometimes destroyed our crops.
Il will be recoIlected that Mr.. Allen
published 10 the agricultural papers, near
" wear since, an account Of some exper-
imenis made by him, going to show that
salt may be safely applied 10 the corn crop
after il makes its appearance above
ground, and that the depredatiors of the
worm would thereby be arrested. The
trialwas made 90 small scale, by large
numtef Of farmers, and was found to b.
entirely impraclicable. We have mol
room for even an sbridgement ofthe many
articles which have at different times been
given TO the public uponths subject but
shall venture few suggestions, based up
on the publications which have been made
upon the use Of salt in this country, and in
England.
And first as 10 be derived from the use
OF salt. Il is claimed iE the first place,
that onlan,l TO which salt has been applied,
the crops will not be affected by rust. Two
or three communications were published
in our first volume, going TO prove this
position. In addition 10 these, neighbor
of ours, sowed salt in two separate and
distinct fields OF oats. and although the
whole crop was free from rust, at harvest
he informs Us that long after the grain
was removed, and the stubble in other
places had turned black and rusty, that on
the sailed portion remained bright and en-.
tirelyfree FROM rust. Other experiments
have been published, going to prove the
correctness ofthis position. It's also said
that salt has tendency greatly lc increase
the crop. Here we can say nothing from
experience, but respectable authorities
would seem 10 sustain the position. In
what way it acts upon the soil, we have
not heard explained. 1t is possible that
upon dry soils, the tendency 10 moisture
Occasioned by the presence ofsalt, may, in
n measure, account fo- the increase in pro-
duct. After preparing our seed wheat
last spring. the brine 10 which it had been
washed, was thrown on corner Of a
patch Of potatoes in the garden. This
spot was directly in view from our bed
room window and for several weeks the
exact places where the brine was applied
could be distinctly seen in the morning.
showing a greater degree ofmoisture than
the ground around it. But the greatest
benefit claimed from the use of salt, is the
destruction OF The insects which prey upon
the plants. The corn crop has suffered Sc
verely 10 this State from The ravages ofthe
grub and wire-worm, destroying as they
have, IN many instances, the entire crop.
Crops Of small grain have also been SER,
iously injured, and hitherto no remedy
has been discovered to arrest this destruc-
ton Of The farmers hopes. We have no
actual experiments 10 record ofthe effect
of salt ia destroying insects, but from the
statements and opinions which have at diff
ferent times been made public, we are led
to place some confidence in its efficacy.
At all events, we design to give it fair
trial the coming season, and hope others
will do the same, so that we can arrive al
correct conclusions, and know what course
TO pursue in future. Weask every farm
er who reads this article. to give the ex-
pertinent fair trial, and give the results
10 the public.
Quantity to be appl5ed.--The proper
ties Of salt are such that an improper ap-
plicalion would be very likely to destroy
rather than benefit the crop. but it may be
safely applied at the rate of five or six
bushels per acre. This quantity is said TO
be sufficient for all useful purposes, and
will in no case endanger the crop. Salt
may now be purchased for about one dol
lar per barrel, and at. this price, the ex.
pense OF an application istriaing, compar-
ed with the injury often sustained ven
when very few worms ave to be found.
II should be borne in mind, that the appli-
cation should in no case be made after the
grain comes up, although corn nigh, not
be damoged by such application.) but that
it should be sown broadcast before the
cropis planted OF sown. This will en-
sure safety, which should be the care Of
every farmer.