Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-03-05
WORKOUT LANDS.

In The American Farmer of Dec. 9Th,
appeared an extrac, from communca
tion by John Jones, Of Wheatland, to the
Farmers Cabinet, in which he makes al
luson 10 the astonishing effects brought
about in the renovation Of worn out lands
in Delaware, by pr. Noble. of PhIaGel.
Fhio.-O @ n land MfIcll cOSL. but fifteen dol.
lars per acre, and produced but hVe BUSH
els of wheat three years ago, by the ap-
pication of eight loads of manure, costing
freight included, less than one dollar and
fifty cents per load, the Doctor raised forty
seven bushels Of wheat from one acre, aud
from The remainder rather less. the ave-
rage being all enormous increase over the
produce Of former years.
The editor of The American Farmer ex-
presses an increase desire 10 learn the
secre, bv which The Doctor has been ena
bled, at the small expense of less than Sl2
per acre, 10 effect such astonishing results.
We would inform him there is no secret
whatever in the method pursued, but such
as auy farmer might discover for himself,
if he would but take the trouble 10 read
some Of the numerous works upon the ap-
pication Of chemistry to agriculture, lately
published. Knowing by chemical aualy-
sis or examination, the composition of the
grain and straw of wheat, and tha, Of the
soil, il was an easy matter 10 apply those
materials WI. u were needed, n order 10
produce a healthy and vigorous growth.
He prescribed fo" his wheat and soil as he
would for patient, and with equal sue
cess; health and strength have been res.
tored to The suffering subject.
Now, as to the sources Of manure which
he has made use OF, we will say word {:
il is in the power Of every farmer, near
large cities, The materials which are needed
10 enrich the soil.
The Doctor formed a compost obtained
| from various sources, consisting OF the
refuse Of tanners soap boiling establish
ments, &c.; in short of such animal aud
vegetable substances as contain soluble
salts. or which can be made subservient
to the growth Of plants. In the selection
of these substances he was guided by their
composition as made known by chemical
analysis Give says rational asri.
culturist, 10 one plant such substances as
are necessary for its deyelopement. bu,
spare those which are not requisite, for the
production of other plants which require
them
An empirical or quack system 'of az.
riculiure. has administered the same kind
of !nanules to all plants, or where selec'
ton has been made, it has not been based
upon knowledge of their true compost.
tinn.' The phosphate of soda or lime, the
silicate of potash, aud sulphaIe Of ammo.
MIA. or other salts containing these in Other
conditions, are necessary 10 the production
of wheal; these have been supplied by the
Doctor, and why should we be assonshed
a, the results which have followed theil
application He has adopted the Scien
tifc method of manuring, and if his knowl
edge of the composition of The soil ant
wants of the crop was exact, aud his con
clusions correctly drawn, he could not erl
in ,he application of his mauures. Here i:
indeed triumph of scieuce over the old
fashioned, uncertain, and empirical mode
of farming; here is an example worthy the
attention Of every farmer. aud especlall!
should it be considered by those whom
prejudice has so blinded that they canno
perceive the vast benefits arising from th'
iudicious application Of scientific knowl
edge 10 agriculture. 1t is indeed 'credi
table TO the Doctor as a scientific farmer ;
we hail him as a benefactor, and deslr