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

clally If 1t has been properly divided
and loosened by artificial means. If.
therefore, the whitening power of drought
should at any time show itself on poor
land, let the farmer instantly apply pu-
trescent manure on the surface of the
ridge 10 the spreading of compost
without burying it over the cereals du-
ring their vegetation, the English attri-
butte an almost magical influence. They
assert that "the plants may almost
be seen to renovate and regain their YER
dure." 1t is evident, says Thaer,, that
not only actual advantages, but also Sc
curity against evil is to be derived from
the possession of an active manure of
this nature, and without any sensible
diminution of its value. Though the
quantity may be small, yet the bencf-
cial results, first indicated in the change
Of color in the leaves, will soon appear
In the instance OF a planter Of this rlacc,
whose crop was in a perilous condition
from the excessive dryncss of the sum-
mcr Of IA, one cart load only to the
acre of stable manure, partially decom-
posed, was instrumental in producing
fime yield, while from the remainder Of
the field the harvest was very mcagrc.
When the application was made, the
corn had begun to tassel; the stalks
We're small and the leaves yellow and
curlcd. Although the former never in
creased in siz", the latter soon exhibited
i healthy green. This favorable indi-
cation took place before the first shower
of rain, which WAS slight, and occurred
about IL fortnight after the trial Of the OK
pertinent. The secret OF my friends
success is traccable to the fact that, as
all fertilizers have strong attraction
for atmosphcrical moisture, he used the
one, which of all others, in that respect,
guano excepted, possesses the greatest
power.
Appointment error in southern hus-
bandry is over-pianting. Manuring
consequently as system is not prac-
tised. This alone is sufficient to ac-
count for the smallness of the aggregate
crop for the extent Of ground annually
in tilth. Reformation on this head is
therefore loudly demanded. But un-
i'll this cnsue, what is 10 be done2 In
what way may the injurious operation
Of drought be modified, as we'll by the
ignorant as the skilful, the poor and the
rich?
4. Salt. In small quantities salt is a
septic in large quantities it resists pu-
trefaclion. Though not strictly ger
name to the subject entrusted to my
charge, l hope 1 shall be excused Tor
here stating the estimation in which
this substance is held by many obscr-
want agriculturists. 1t destroys, they
maintain, noxious weeds and vermin;
gives luxuriance and vcrdure to grass
lands; prevents the scab in (frish) po,a-
toes; sweetcns grass, and hasteDs the
maturity of crops, Wheat or barley fol-
lowing turnips on land that had been
previously salted, the ensuing crop, it is
we'll authenticated, escaped the mildew.
For top dressing for grass land. six
bushels per acre arc recommended for
cleaning the ground preparatory to the
putting in Of the grain, sixteen bushels,
it is said, may be employed upon fallows
An ounce Of salt to gallon of water
benefits vegetables; a larger quantity
gives brown color, and is therefore in
furious. AS it is a s.imulant, salt should
be mixed with compost, mud, OR loamy
earth Its great capacity for inhaling
atmospherical moisture renders it pecu-
liarly valuable in dry and hot weather.
For Cotton have used it successfully a.
the rate of five pecks to the acre.. Be-
yond that, its effects were adverse to the
growth and production Of the plants.
Manure designed for corn, should re-
ceive, several weeks before it is put on
the land, as much salt as will furnish TO
every acre not exceeding one and half
bushels. If, however, none of the mea-
sures noticed in this communication
have been adopted by the farmer, and
his crop be suffering from the absence
of rain; let him sprinkle on the ridge of
each plant or hill as. much we'll puIver-
lied salt as he can conveniently take up
with the thumb and two fore-fngers
In a short time, the result, from my own
experience and that of some of my CO.
IL X Al. Al. &. Il.