The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-02-18

| IiiN SOih tCH ouSllClS VI Colu pCl lCIc De
obtained, it is reasonable to infer, all
other circumstances being equal, that
we've the whole in tilth, twenty bushels
would be harvested: indeed a muck
larger quantity ought to be the result,
for the deeper the soil the greater will be
the number Of stalks, and the larger and
more numerous the ears. The Maize,
says Taylor, SIS little tree" and pos
sessing roots correspondent to its size, pc
netrates depth almost incredible
feet, it is known, have been reached 1t
follows that, where, from the vigor of
the psatat or,thc fertility Of the land, the
roots NEE: with no obstruction, the. con-
sequences of drought will be sensibly
diminished ifnot entirely prevented 1t
is believed that the rolling of the leaves
of corn Is attributable solely to- the abb
| sence of moisture. This is an error.
Scanty manuring or shallow tillagc is
as often the true cause.
To render deep ploughing* cfectual.
1t should take place in autumn. The ex-
pansivc power Of frost, and the millify-
ing influence of air and ram, and the
action of these in breaking the continul-
ty OF hbrous matter, are strong reasons
in favor Of the practice. Whether it
should be done once in two or three
years only, which, believe, is the OPT
Mon Of the most successful farmers OF
Great Britain, or annually, as is com
mon in parts Of our country, is certainly
as ' ct an undetermined point.
2. Pulverization. The soil must not
only be made easily accessible to the de-
scent and spread of the roots, but there
should be such disntegration of its
parts, as 10 allow the free transmission
of air. However rich in ingredients.
these afford no nutriment to vegetation,
until subjected TO the combined action OF
heat, air, and moisturc-the great agents
.of decomposition. Unless freely sup
piled with OXYGEN, the remains of ami
mails and vegetables do not decay, but
they undergo putrefac,ion.t 1.-The fire.
quent renewal Of air by ploughing and
the preparation Of tho soil, change the
putrefaclion of the organic constituents
| into pure process of oxidation and
! from the moment ut which ali the orga-
mic matter existing in soil enters into
a state Of oxidation or decay, its fertility
is enhanced" In well compounded
soil, water is presented to the roots by
capillary attraction. AS this increases
in proportion to the snallness Of the par
ticlcs of earth, the advantage of. their
complete pulvcrizl is plain. 1t is
equally true, that as food for plants must
exist in solution. it is requisite to admit
water to the roots by artilicially reducing
the compac:ness Of the soil by tillage
From frequent working, therefore, the
most favorable results may be anticipa-
ted; indeed, it has been we'll observed,
that good stirring of the ground in
dry weather is equal to a shower ofrain !;
for however strange it may seem, while
it promotes moisture, des;cation is pre-
vented. TO aid in the increase and pre-
seryation of atmospherical vapor, the
ridge system is especially recommended.
The breaking up Of the old furrows
deeply, and making the new ridges on
them, by which the two interchange
places, provide quantity of finely divi-
ded earth much greater than what is OBJ
tanned in the ordinary mode. While
! the coming up of the corn is therby ia
! ciiitated, and the thrifty condition Of the
young plants secured, the depth at which
the seeds of grass and weeds arc deposi-
tgd, prevents their fermentation, except
in small numbers; hence labor and
time in the culture Of the crop are saved.
I In relation to maize, the author of " Ara
Nor" sums up the advantages of high
Hsges and deep burrows in substance as
: ows The roots are never cut in
onaNrection, and this great depth of
t,ith &Ns early obtained, by superseding
. me ocesion for deep ploughing in the
, latteI Ia u pes2d Of its growth, saves them in
: the otherH*The preservation of the roots,
, and thelr d per pasture, enable the corn
mueh longeNQ resist dry weather. Lit
: Ter thrown s I'M I'M the deep furrow upon
: which the list hmade, is a reservoir of
, manure, lar REM Sed from evaporation !;
!, within reach ol TN xoots, which will fol-
,;Flewl ~ y y aleag tne iua Rw, and calculated
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