Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-10-19
A CIR ICU L TU r A L .
p RIZE ES AY
ON THE
ON THE
RENOVATION OF WORKOUT LANDS,
BY EDWARD STABLER.

BY EDWARD sTABLER,
Of Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland.
THE Publisher of the AMERICAN FARMER having
offered 500 for the three best Essays Oh the above
subject, viz: $50 for the first, $50 for the second
and $50 for the third-the Committee appointed
for the purpose, consisting of Dr. J. w. THOMPSON,
of Delaware, and Judge CHAMBERS, Messrs G.. L.
CALVERT. a, BOWIE DAVIS, and n p. WoRTHING-
TON, OF Maryla unanimously awarded to the fol-
lowing the first Prize.
In submitting the following Essay upon
the "Renovalion of WORKOUT Lands" il is
deemed proper to state, tina, the writer I'M
derstands the main object in view of the
Editor Of the American Farmer, TO be, the
eliciling of such information as is best
adapted to the wants of the great majority
of farmers; those who are dependent on the
product of the soil for a support, and whose
resources are comparatively limited; for
although it may be equally desirable to
those with more ample means, to improve
their lands at the least expense of time and
money, yet the number Of such is compare
lively small and it is not perceived why
the same plan may not suit both the one
who olives by the sweat of his brow" i'm
proves his ten acres, while he with the
.''plelhoric purse" may in the same time,
his hundred acres. With the view, there
fore, to adapt it to the more numerous class
of readers, the effort will be made to con-
dense the essay as much as possible; and
SO plain, and free from technicali!es, that
she that runs may read.n
1t is almost impossible to establish a
theory, or mode of farming, that eau be
made to suit alike, all localiles-of soil.
climate, and the facilities Of obtaining the
various kinds of manure, now in use in
different sections of the country. But it is
believed that with proper energy and indus
try on the part of farmers, and even with
the present facilities of transportation, an
increase of double, ifno, quadruple the lime,
mari, and bones might be used to advantage;
the two former, in many sections of our
country are lnexhaustibe for generations to
come: and much greater amount of the
latter might be obtained in sections where
they are not used, but greatly needed, If
more attention was paid TO their collection
and preservation.
The first step would advise towards the
"Renovation of WORKOUT Lands" is COM
plete and thorough draining, both surface
and under drains, where the location and
nature OF the soil renders it too retentiye of
moisture late in the spring. 1t retards early
seedlng-the winter grains and grass roots
are very liable to be thrown out and inur-
ed by frosts; and on such land, the injury
from drought is more severely felt. The
writer has not known case where this
operation was performed with ordinary skill
and judgment, that did not fully repay the
expense; and in some cases the product was
increased from five to ten fold.
To go into full description ofthe meth
DDS used IN different sections, to accomplish
this most important branch of the husband
mans duty, would require diagrams, and
also too much space; nor is it considered
necessary; Tor in the "America Farmer"
which every tiler Of the soil ought to pos
sess) very full and ample information NAV
be obtained on the subjet. A few general
dissertations here, may suffice. If the soil
Is rendered too wet by springs, whose sour
ces are lower than the surrounding land, the
drains must be extended to at least the same
level, be the distance and depth what they
may; or TO sufficient depth below the
surface, to admit of understanding clear of
the plough. This may sometimes be effect
ed, by going through the clay sub-soil, and
without much expense of dilching as the
water can then pass of through the under
stratum Of gravel, or sand.