Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-07-13
agricultural.
What shall be dSne 10 improve AgriCul-
tHrel

tHrel
This is question ofgreaI interest to every
pFactical farmer in our country; and an answer
10 il, lin can be given, will confer unspeakable
benefits 10 the agricultural interest. The sub
isc, IS one, am aware, that opens wide field
Cor investigator; and do not propose 10 give an
answer thai will cover the whole ground. II /
caa AID. however, in answering the question, so
as TO lead farmers who are desrous Of informa-
ton, 10 make vigorous efforts TO advance this all
important interest, shall be satisfied. Let me
then say, that the farmer who would improve,
must devote himself entirely TO his uocatioH-
rising early and taking the morningair, and Wig
orously devo,ng his powers to the work before
him. In the preparation of his lands for crops,
he must not fail TO have it in the best possible
condition; thoroughly pulverised, so that each
kernel Of grain may have genial soil prepared
for lis reception, from which il may in due time
spring forth TO gladden. the heart of the farmer.
lie. him no. negec. this. The grea. suPeriori-
~ Of The farmers Of England and the Continent
consist in their careful attention to the prePara'
tion Of the ground for their various cropsi in
many instances, on the Continent particularly,
their lands having the appearance OF finely
cultivated garden bed.
Another indispensable requisite is, drain thor
oughiy wherever needed. Not only is it neces-
sary to drain wet and marshy spots Of land, but
wherever, from the nature of the soil, wafer
stands beneath the surface, so as to render the
land cold and sour, so as to prove injurious to
the growth Of plants, nothing but judlcious
draining will render il suited to production of
crops IN all their vgor and healthlulness. Let
no farmer then, fail to give attention to draining
werever, either from surlace-water, or water re-
tanned from a retentlve sub-soil, his land is in a
condition un'avorabe to the production Of a
frst.rale crop. Bear in mind, also, that in ma.
ny instances, grass lands need draining as much
as those designed for grain. Often the lands
which are appropriated TO grazing, are, by su-
perabIndance Of water, rendered almost useless;
the grasses are coarse, inferior in quality, give
a bad flavor TO cheese and butter, and render
il impossible to manufacture either, that will
command the best price in market
Another important matter for the farmer
is, the prepard lion and use Of manure. Grain
nseds feeding as we'll as the animals Of this
there can be no question. Let then the atten.
ton Of the farmer be directed to securing from
every thing that can be- collected, an increase to
the manure ofthe farm. Let him bear in mind
that weeds, muck, or the deposiIes Of swamps,
are all valuable to be mixed with straw and lit
Ter Of the farm; and let him also preserve the
LIQUID manure from his cattle from waste; on
many crops the application of this, has produced
astonishing results; but should ever be preserved
and mixed with the solid excrements of the an.
imals, and will add greatly TO the lerIilizing
qualities of the manure. lf necessary, and ev-
ry good farmer will ascertain this, apply lime to
your land where il has been exhausted by your
crops; and above all ascertain the analysis of
the grains you cultivate, and when you have
ascertained the quantity of fettilizng materials
that have been taken off with the crop, be sure
TO return ii again in the shape oflhe proper ma
nures; if you do not do this, your land will be-
come exhausted and your farming Improbable.
Don't neglect this if you would succeed. Here
lies one great difficulty with American farming
"a want Of knowledge of the materials taken
of'with the crop, and neglect to return care
fully TO the soil, in the way of suitable manures,
the (ertiIizing properties required to enable the
land to sustain the crops to be grown. Chemis.
try will tell you, what are the constituent prop.
erIes Of your grain: what of your various ma.
nures: and when known, every farmer may
then understandngly manage his farm, and pre-.
serve and even increase its fertility This can
not too strongly be urged upon The farmer and
upon a careful and enlightened attention to these
suggestions, il cannot, think, be doubted, that
improvement, such as would be abundantly sat.
isfaclory, would be the result.
In connection with the proper manuring of
the land, lei me call attention to its cIednly cuI-
tiUation. Weeds will grow, and if mot eradica.
ted, the nuiriment which the grain should re-
ceive, will be divided between the grain and the
weeds. How liule attention it would seem,
from observing the crops in different portions Of
our country, is given TO this matter. Many a
field of corn can be found, where the weeds are
TO be seen as far as the field can be observed;
and when the corn is harvested, aslonishment is
manifested because only twenty bushels ofcorn
are Obtained to the acre, while neighbor has
secured fifty bushels. The difference has arisen
in part, fom the attention given by the latter, to
The determination of every thing that could pre-.
iudce his crop. What ia true of this crop, is
applicable, more or less, to every other and no
farmer can be eventually successful, who does
not thoroughly and systematically cleanse his
lands. You cannot afford 10 grow weeds and
grain on the same field. The land will not re-.
ward you for SO doing. 1t may, indeed, give
you an abundant crop of the former, but of the
latter the return will be most unsatisfactory.
There are other suggestions which | may
give at another time; but let me ask the reader,
are no. these worthy Of you. attentive obser.
vance # you are iarmerl Would not every
farmer be benefued materially by giving heed to
themi Is there man who will say, il is no
consequence whether | attend to these sugges
lions or noI ! can succeeds as well as others who
have never been so particular in their farming
operations. But lei me ask you, what has be-
come ofthese larmersl Gone 10 other regions,
after exhausling their so their crops so dimn
shed as no longer 10 pay the expense Of cult.
vati0n; and will you by pursuing similar course