Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-10-19

quantity OF mari required to the acre, to pr o.
duce much beneficial result, does not admit
OF extended land transportation: but there
are thousands, if not tens of thousands of
acres, bordering on, and near tide water, both
in this, and neighboring States, now thrown
out as waste lands, because they will no Ion
ger yield even a stinted growth of vege,a-
ton; most, if no, all of which, might readi-
~ be reclaimed by the judicious use of mari;
and at one-fourth the cost per acre, that lands
in the inlerior,-originally no better, if so
good,-are made to yield 10 to l2 barrels of
corn, or ~ to 40 bushels of wheat to the
acre. have been informed by some of the
large landed proprietors-.not owning, nor
residing within less than 8 to 10 miles Of
the mari beds-that boat load of thou
sand to twelve hundred bushels of mari, rich
in carbonate of lime, could be delivered at
many Of their landings, at an expense no,
Exceeding 8 TO $40. Yet not one bushel
was ever used !!
But as was justly remarked, by one of
these very intelligent and hospi,able gentle
men, ''irs no use TO preach to deaf con-
gregation," and further remark or two will
only be added; not altogether without the
hope that something will eventually "stir
them up" and induce trial at least, of this
valuable manure. 1t matters less, how, when,
or what quantity of Mari or Lime is applied;
only MAKE THE APPLICATION, and that pref
ty literally. Its application, like lime, is
best made one, two or three years, and on
the surface, before breaking up the land; and
thus give it the benefit Of the winters frosls
and SHOWS to dissolve and incorporate it
with the soil.
Lime.-This, next to the proper draining
when necessary: for even lime will not en-
able us to dispense with it, and deep tillage,
| consider the most certain and permanent
agent in "renovating worn out lands," of any
other substance with which am acquainted;
whether mineral, ANIMAL, or vegetable; and
when it can be obtained at reasonable cost,
even with some miles hauling in addition, i,
is generally to be preferred, if only one kind
Of 'bough. manure" is to be used 1t may
however be used freely in conjunction with
all other manures, and with decided ad-
vantage, if done with judgment.
After many years experience in the use
of lime, would advise in all cases where
it can be accomplished, to spread it on the
surface from l to 3 or years, before the
land is broken up. The effect of a single
winters frost and rains, will more efectual-
| ly dissolve and bring it into action, and
benefit the succeeding crop, as also the
land itself, than is attained in longer Pc
Rod, by ploughing it in as soon as applied
10 this way also, much larger quantity
may be safely applied to the same land at a
sngle.dresslng. As there is no loss to lime
from atmospheric influence, it should be
kept near the surface: and the proper guam
tity to use to the best advantage, can only
be determined by the price, and the state
the land may be in, at the time. With
good sod of grass roofs TO receive it, 100
or even $50 bushels to the acre, will do no
harm but on stiff clays, with little soil or
mould on the surface, SO bushels would be
a very liberal application as first dressing
if put on Immediately after ploughing. i,
would be better to apply less quantity at
first, and renew it as soon as an increased
growth of vegetation could be obtained.
When lime is applied in very large guam
titles, and Immediately incorporated with
a poor soil, having little or no vegetable
matter in it, the effect is to combine with the
siicious rlicles,-abounding more or less
in all clay soils-and form hard compac,
masses, tina, are not separated by years of
after tillage. This mode, therefore, to say
the least, is like ''burying the talent" for
so much capital lies dormant, and neither
benefits the farmer or his land. Twenty or
thirty bushels as first application, paricu-
larly if aided by even light dressing of We
getable manure, will make much quicker !
return for the outlay
As to the modus operandi of lime much
has been written; and various, if not con-
fllcling theories put forth nor do all agree,
as to The most judcious mode of appica-
ton.
consider it altogether unnecessary here,
to attempt any explanation of the chemical
changes produced in the soil by its use, or
to give my own opinion on the subject,
though formed after careful observation
and from years of experience. To the in
experienced, however, i. is of much more
importance TO be informed hov to use it to
the best advantage. And as previously re-
marked, it is of still less consequence, ho,v.
or achen applied, so THAT 1T IS DONE.
Lime will act very bene6calIy, as know
from experience, on stiff tenacious claws.
and so near state OF sterilily, as scarcely
to reproduce the seed sown on them. Blu,
if used under such circumstances, and with
out the aid of any kind of manure, consld-
cradle time must elapse before much anne
Iteration of the soil need be expected.
Theory without practice, does not often !
carry much weigh. with it; and on the
mind OF the farmer, generally speaking, il,
acts with less force perhaps than with most