Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-09-06
AGRTCULTURAL.


Improvements on the SOIL " hAA4AMB.
There are some soils so obviously de-
-fective in constitution, that the most com
mon observer can at once pronounce them
likely TO be improved by mechanical ad-
mixtures of various kinds. Thus peaiy
soils abound too much in vegetable mat
ter; mixture Of earthy substances, there
fore, Of almost any common kind, rs read
ily indicated as a means of improvement.
Ia like manner we naturally impart con-
sistence 10 a sandy soil by an admixture
of clay, and opennsss and porosity TO stiff
CLAWS by the addition OF sand.
1.-THE first and obvious effect of snch ad +
-ailions is 20 alter he physical qualities Of
the soil-lo consolidate the peats and
sands, and 10 loosen the clays. But the
fertility Of soil, or its power Of producing
profitable return Of this or that crop, de-
ponds in the first place on lis chemical
constitution. Il mus contain in Sufficient
abundance all the inorganic substances
which that crop requires for its daily food.
Where this is already the case, as in a
rich stiff clay, decided improvement may
be produced by an admixture with sill
cious sand. which merely separates the
particles mechanically. and renders the
whole more porous. But let the clay be
deficient in some necessary constituent of
a Fertile soil, and such an addition Of sill
cious sand would not produce by any
means an equal benefit. II may be prop
per 10 add this sand with the view of pro-
ducing the mere physical alteration, but
we must add some other substance also,
for the purpose ofproducingthe necessary
chemical change.
The good effects which almost invari-
ably follow from the addition OF clay to
peaty or sandy soils are due 10 the pro-
duclion a. one and the same time, OF a
physical and chemical change. They
are not only rendered 6rmer or more solid
by the admixiare OF clay, but they derive
from This clay at the same time, some oil
those minera substances which they pre-
viously contained in less abundance.
The addition Of marl to the land acts
often IN similar lwo-loId capacity. Il
renders clay lands more open and friable,
and to all soils brings an addition of car
bonate, and generally Of phosphate oflime,
both Of which are proved by experience 10
be not only very influential. but TO be alb
eoluteIy necessary to healthy vegetation.
That much benefit to the land would in
many instances accrue from such simple
admixiures as those above adverted TO,
where the means are available. will be
readily granted. The only question on
the subject that ought to arise ia the mind
of prudent man, is that which is con-
nected with the economy of the case. Is
this the most profitable way in which
can spend my money! Can 4 employ
the spare labor Of my men and horses in
any other way which will weld me a
larger returnl Il is obvious that the an
swer to these questions will be modified
by the circumstances Of the district 10
which he lives. Il may be more profit
able to drain--or labor NAV be in great
request ard al high premium--or a
larger return may be obtained by the in
vestmenl Of money in purchasing new than
in improving old lands ohnston's Lee
lures on the Applications Of Chemistry TO
,Agrieuiiurs. KS. Is aoaef,. $50