Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-07-06
Aprtcnltural.
From the Albany Cuitirator for Nay
Treat mcnt Of Sandy Soil.

Circumstances have particularly attracted my
attention to the nature and cultivation OF san
dy soils. l am satisfied by observation and ex-
neriepce, that a very false and mistaken system
Of tillage has been adopted upon these lands, and
that there prevails an inadequate appreciation OF
their value and productiyeness- The preiimin-
airy processes, by which they are in popular Ian
ruaee subdued, and adapted to profitable cul-
tnte' are somewhat tedious and expensive.
The leaves, foliage, and other deciduous part-
cles that fall from the pine trees which ordina-
rily occupy these lands in their primitive state,
must be first destroyed. These substances are
most noxious and destructive TO vegetation, and
scarcely no useful plant can be cultivated, while
they exist to any extent upon the surface OF the
soil. This work should be, and usually IS eheci-
ually accomplished by burning, which succeeds
the first clearing. A fire that burns over inc
whole surface successfully Purges the soil from
Ibis process is well prepared for the drag, val
rabIe crop Of rye or oats may be obtained,
which will prove an ample remuneration for the
subsequent labor and expenses TO which shan
refer. II the burning has not effected tins re-
s,,it. the farmer must be contented with light
frops, and .canty and coarse grasses, until the
decay Of the roots and stumps, (Which IS rapid
process with the pines) enables him to accom-
plsh the object by the pillow and hoe. Inc mrs.
clearing IS succeeueu " a Bi"",N
hraLes and other worthless plants, by which ey-
ery valuable vegetable is choked, and Ultimate
Iv extirpated. This vegetation, we term soui
Growth. II is only eradicated by repeated, close
and careful blowing and dragging, or what !
moro efficient still, by the thorough use OF the
hoe. Sheen and cattle pastured upon the land
have 40 effect upon this noxious vegetauon.-
They all reject 1t, and refuse to browse It. An,
effort 10 successfully cultivate with grain or gras
the soil in its presence, will lead to idle exPeps.
and incur certain disappointment unul irees
from those substances, the land cannot even au
yantapeously be laid down for pasture. Two
and often three efficient plowings are necessar,
10 produce this result II is not requisite, now
ever. that the plowings should occupy an equa
number Of years. Repeated use of the pillow, !
often highly advantageous in the same season.
Nor is the labor and expense OF these pillow
inqs without beneficial consequence in other re
spects. The process, il performed at the pirope
period, at each recurrence turns under ana coy
ers rank growth Of green aud juicy vegetabl
matter, which rapidly decaying, yields to the so
most fertilizing manure. This vegetable sui
stance, when decomposed, becomes incorporate
with the sand, imparting new and improved. qua
lities to the land, and forming by the combina
ton, A new element Of soil. A farmer, ignorar
of these facts, or disregarding them, may be IN
patient, under this protracted system, and !
prematnrely forcing the land, often incprs io
Of his toll and money, and will mpuie to the 50
a failure chargeable to his own improvidence'
When, by these operations, the land IS sun
GENTLY ameliorated and relieved from this sou
ness" il should be well seeded principally wit
clover. In this condition, il Is formed for su.
cessfih tillagc White clover is indigenous
the SOIL and springing up spontaneously, yields
rich and beautiful proinsion Of heroage'