The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1848-01-06
.IGRlCULTUR.lL.
Rcc!ai,ning Worn out Lands.


n, the Editor Of the Amsrieaa Farmer.
S,.-Wha, can be more interesting 10
maiori'y ofiarmers IN these regions round
abnI Than he d discussion Of principles which
should ruide them in the management OF
their estates. 4 correspondent OF the Maine
Cutivstor, introduced TO your readers IN
late number of the American Farmer, 70
commends depas,urlns wora-out lands as
one of The most CERTAIN and successful meth.
cd, of reclaining them. THIS Ia tact Is
the plan pursued very generally IN coun-
tries which lay 10 particular claim TO eui-
hence in agricultural economy, and on
farms too large for Gctire cultivation on
the most approved system; at least the
old fields are allowed TO rest and recover
themselves by the slow process Of nature,
among which their capabilliy OF forming a
ranle for cattle is considered matter OF
some account. The mode think, is one
to which we oueh, to resort from necessity
ard no, from choice except 1t be choice
of two evils, one Of which is to pay taxes
upon land which affords Iltle or noin'eIesi,
and the other 10 pay still higher tax up
on land which sinks money by It's culture.
An exhausted soil permitted 10 harden be
meath the summer SUD, TO be washed by
dsshing rains. and only partially pene,Ia.
BILE by ordinary showers. does not admit
calculations based upon land with some re
deeaiag qualities. II is imporlau. 10 bear
this distinction in mind, because there are
various degrees Of ,mpoyerlshmen', aud We
are now treating of forIotn hopes.
Il has become an axiom, tina! land will
not bear continued cropping unless /. re.
ceiyes compensation for losses sustained.
This compensation may come partly IRON
the atmosphere, as when bucks heat is iur.
ned under--parily from below the surface,
as when gasses are enabled 10 exiflca'e
themselves from the subsoiI BY deep ploS
ing-or partly from extraneous sources, as
by dlluyial deposi,es. manures, &c. The
waste committed by ANIMALS is evidently
not restored by their excIemcnis, for very
large amour, consists of catb MIC acid gas,
which is more disposed 10 mix with the air
than to be re.absot bed BY the earth from
which it was derived IN the shape of food.
/. is even objectionable to allow weeds and
other products TO decompose on the sur
face where they grow, because much is
necessarily los. before the remainder can
become Incorporated with The soil still II /
is preferable to the former treatment Es (
pefience proves that decided addition OF
organic matter accumulates, which is for
the mos, part positive gain equally dis.
tribuied over the ground, whereas by
very ca calculation depas'urIng the same
would exhibit a comparative loss of vege.
table material, if there is any to lose upon
poverty stricken tract Of county. The
idea that the animal restores more than 1t
receives, or combines the articles of food
more adYaniageously for> the soil by any
functional property of The Kidneys or mites.
tines, cannot be ea'ettaiGed. do no, ar.
que tina. materials Of the same quality or
in the same quantity mus, be dliecliy al.
ded 10 order to keep field in heart, for
this would be a, once 10 deny the profita
BILE investment, Of money in Agriculture;
but TO bring barren waste into condition
Is a very different thing, and demands a
temporary sacrIilce with tie utJsct Or AZ
tainns future and permanent recon,pens
| therefore contend tina, to tur0 cattle up
on such wilderness for the express pur.
pose Of retaining 1t, and to rely exclusive.
" upon its meagre contents, is but sorry
experiment, and would benefit neither par
". Can horse gather muscle from ce.
der bushes, or COW extract butter from
s,uo,ed fox tail! Very hule, | lrow. The
argument however is intended 10 apply to
limited opera ions in civilized communities,
because there IS much reason 10 believe
that in the worldwide arrangements of
Providence, animals and vegetables mu,u.
ally assist each other, and that they will
continue TO increase and multiply in equiv.
alent proportions until the pfesen, order Of
things is interrupted By some violent phys
ical change, which is not very probable al
this period OF the Eatlh's history.
Observation teaches practical men 10
distinguish between ranges on which high
w fed animals brouse, and others troddeu
Gown Dy nalt.staiVe0 cdttie wuicn nlUDe
off the last blade Of wild. grass or WORTHLESS:
hlg, from wan, Of any thing else 10 keef
life within them. We will suppose 10, 10
bs entirely incapable Of remunera,Ing he
owner by reason Of having lost the sali'
essential in the formation OF any seet
whatever. lie has fat horses in his stable
and al convenient seasons he turns thea
loose in his field 10 exercise themselves an
to take fresh air. He does no, expec
them 10 derive any beneii' from the pas,ur
but the pasture TO profit at their expense
In the course Of ten years or less, this fl,
has gradually recovered the element
which il wanted. b., can this be consic
cred good husbandry, when the same eff
nigh, have been produced IN half day l.
the direct application of mineral manures
Is tine Of no vauel Can the outlay Of
lev dollars be an objection under the CT
cumstances preseniedl If it 10, let ii
man sell the field at once for what il wi
fetch, or give II away, II he canno. fla
sputchaser. Ha will gain By line loss.
Il is now definitely settled, tina, so,liu