Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-20

Corresponding Secretary.
TIL ia oannanial with tho roo, and present
condition of Farm number three, (Mf. Hen
shaw's,) specially referred 10 the Committee on
Farms, are ofpecular and exciting interest 10 ali
dependent on wheat rs staple crop, especially
in our vicinity, or elsewhere, upon soils oil SINH
lar character
There is nothing in the appearance Of this
Farm 10 distinguish il from South Western
mountain land generally, unless il be lis compa-
rative exemption from puff or blow lands, and lis
Astounding more in rich sfavely slopes, and IN
some parts, the greater adhesiveness OF the sou.
More than thirty years ago, and before the miro
ducliou Of any improving system, its reputation
was deservedly high for It's special adaptation to
wheat. About the year 1915 the hve snit rota-
ton, or three consecutive crops OF grain, two OF
wheat and one of corn with TWO years OF clover
intervening, and the liberal use OF plaster, was
commenced Much Of the clover Tor The FIRST wear
was moved tor hay and seed and that OF The sc.
cond, in some instances, closely, ard in others
partially grazed previous 10 the preparation for
wheat; This consisted in an early fallow, and
subsequent re-fallow before seed time.
This system was steadily adhered TO up 10 1885,
from which period 10 1910, but liue rlascr was
used The crops OF wheat from The commence
ment Of this system TO 1880, progressively i'm
proved in seasons equally favorable, and as much
as fourteen busbelstor one sowed were harvested
in thai year. Since that period, The crops have
rapdy declined and with the exception CT ono
year, when eight bushels for one were made, II IS
believed they have not varied materially from two
to four for one Since 1910, no regular rotation
has been observed, and the use OF plaster has
been resumed and literally applied, without,
however, It's usual effects on vegetation. During
the first ten or fifteen years, after its use was
aoI Sc, tho
was truly marvellous, and from the rich luxn-
rance Of these crops, aud The proved aspect OF
The SOIL the highest degree OF fertility was anici-
patel. More attention during the whole OF This
period was paid 10 raising and applying manures,
than perhap, on any other farm i'll The county
And as tobacco has not been cultivated, IL has
been applied to the general improvement OF the
farm, and not 10 favored localities, designed Tor
that crop.
While such has been The depreciation OF the
wheat crop, the ca paciles OF the soil ior The pro.
duction of corn have greatly increased-heavier
crops Of this grain being now raised than ever
were before Clover, also, though il has mol de-
clined 10 The same extent with wheat has given
place, in a great measure, 10 green sward and
blue grass. Upon an adjoining farm, Identical
as 10 soil in all its leading characteristics, where
clover aud plaster have been introduced only
within the last three years, ten bushels Of wheat
for one sowed was harvested The present year, 10
three on the farm under review, en- land capable
OF producing Under Ike circumstances al least
third more com Fields which have moi borne
crop Of The latter grain for six or eight years,
though prepared in the most thorough manner,
and sowed with wheat in due season, produce
crops scarcely worth harvesting. Every change
OF rotation has been resorled TO. Ii has succeed
ed corn, one and two crops of clover, and, again,
without the intervention oi corn, II has followed
clover without improvement. That This is mol the
result, of general sleriliiy, is evident, from The
fact that other crops succeed we'll where wheat
fails Similar instances OF the special exhaust
ion OF The soil have occurred in other districts OF
our country and are doubtless TO be traced to the
injudicious course OF cultivatipg The same crop
too frequently on the same land, instead oil al;er-
mating unlike crops, and thereby enarsing the in
teryal between the same or similar ones. Our
very limited acquaintance With agricultural che
mislry would deter US from haZarding an opinion,
or even conjecture, on so interesting subject,
but for the hope OF attracting 10 il The attention Of
others whose taste and pursuits may enable them
10 point out a remedy where the evil already ex-
lists. and the means by which il may be avoided
in cases where il may yet occur.
All naturally fertile soils capable OF producing
a variety OF crops through succession OF years,
have been found by analysisto contain sensible
quantities OF several chemical substances
PLANS grown on such soils have, in like man.
ner, been found 10 contain in their ash or in
organic parts, perceriblc quantities Of these same
materials, though in unequal proporticns-one
kind OF plant containing more OF one substance,
and another kind more of different one
but all possessing them in greater or
less degree. Soils, also, which are found to
be destitute of or 10 possess in very small quonti
", one imporan. eemen, OF The grain Of par
ticular plant, while il abounds in the constituent
Of The straw or stem Of that plant, have been
ascertained 10 produce the latter uxulanlly,
without being able 10 mature Inc iorneri ana
where there is deficiency of each, neither will
thrive. however luxuriantly other plants may
flourish, into the composition Of which the ma
lerials Of which the soil is destitute do not enter
The application of these well-eslab'ished prinei-
Piles 10 the case 10 hand, leads 10 The conelu-
siop, that the essential ingredients OF both straw