The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-06-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL.

Az II
IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL.
Mr. Editor:-l have been an observer oI
passing events, for number of years; and
have had some little practice too. in the bu'
slness Of farming, and remember to have
often heard the idea advanced. that crop
of oats impoverished land far more than that
: of wheat crop. cannot subscribe to the
theory; and my reasons for thinking differ
emily, are tho following:
Ii is given up point, that corn will grow
better after cotton, than where corn has
grown the year before; some say because
the land was better cultivated. Think there
is a different cause. which is this: in the
!. course ofmy observation. have noticed that
anv thing will grow well after cotton-lt
will grow we'll after potatoes; likewise. also,
where there has been good crop Of peas.
=. NV theory is this: where there is any thing
to shade the land or to project It from the
. scorching rays Of the n, during the months
vof August and September, it will produce
better the next year.
Now all the difference in wheat and oat
crop, as il respects impoverish.ng the land.
is this: The wheat is sown in the fall, the
oats in the spring. You, who are in the
habbit of thinking. will recollec,, the carro,
weed comes up before the the time of SOW
ING oats, but it has not come up al the time
of sowing wheat-thercfore not ueSroyed-
hut comes up afterwards; and when the
wheat is cut, the above named carrot weed
grows up and forms at least partial cover
ing for the land Not SO after the oats, as
the weeds are up when the oats are sown;
consequently, the ploughing process destroys
them nearly in toto. and thus the ground is
left entirely without screen OF any kind.
] have heard of some who have determined
TO Danish oats from their farms, for no other
reason than: "With all its good qualities 1t
is robber." If YOU please, do not be quite
SO hasty; for think oats are perfectly Inno-
.cent;-thereforc do not condemn, until we
give them fair trial. But how shall this be
done? answer, let the farmer take. say a
peck of tory or common red peas for each
acre of land to he sown in oats, and sow al
the time Of sowing the oats and plough them
in together. This kind ofpea having thick
hrau or skin will not come up TILL the wealth
er becomes warm. The oats come up i'm
mediately; as such, the peas will not hurt
them at all, and when the oats are cut, grow
80 as to form covering fr your lard. that
is If you keep your stock of Of it; and the
pea being a kind Of atmospheric plant. will.
when the leaves fall off. return more to the
land than they have taken from it. Thus
they serve twofoId purpose; they both pro-
tect and feel the Ian /; and after the sun has
ceased to pour his scorchins says upon your
land, you have at least half crap Of peas
for your stock. Now, frien1s,2give it tri-
al. and if should succeed. well, you can
say, thank yru; il not, you arc at liberty to
say ] am not judge.-A LITTLE Farmer.
so PHILADELPHIA ON WEDNEsDAY.-Thc
Philadelphia Ledger of yesterday, thus al
.ludes to the doings in that city OH the Prev-
Gus day:
.'Polltics ragged fercely yesterday through
out the city. The whg convention assem-
bIed, and at the opening of The doors there
was a rush for places, which soon filled.
Those who could not get inside, remained
out, to discuss with more heat the merits of
the candidates. The excitement grows more
intense and interesting the nearer the body
comes TO decision.
:, While these proceedings were going on at
the Museum building. another scene OF cx.
element was witnessed in Independence
square, where Gen. Cass was receiving the
congratulations and compliments of The de.
mocracy. Notwithstanding the numbers
tl,at called the night previous at Jones hotel
thousands of democrats assembled IN the
square, and such scene of shaking hands
as ensued was painfully comical. Senator
Cass stood with his back against tree,
with the perspiration standing in large drops
upon his face, which was red with the ex.
ertion. By his side stood the venerable SEN
ator Benton. smiling afably and benignant,
ly upon every individual, and bowing to each
person whose hand he took. Senator Hous.
tons tall person was seen walking about the
yard, surrounded by a grouup Of curious
spectators, as anxious to to see him as they
were to grasp his hand. From the window
above the district Court peered the white
head of Vice President Dallas, as, with some
legal friends, he contemplated the singular
scene below. The scene lasted for two
hours, when Gen. Cass retired, and in the
afternoon he took his departure for Trenton
attended BY an immense crowd to the
wharf, part Of which went up the river In
boat with him. His visit during his stay