Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-01-22
AGRICULTURE AL.
From the .1me17cdn Farmer.
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY.
CONCLU DED.)

(CoNCLUDED.)
Mr.. Stabpr is probably, right in stating that when
lime s uneveny spread masses of the scae are apt to
form, which continue inracable for a length of me but
this will not explain The positive i'll effects observed from
the application large doses Except when the diff
ference in price convenience Of carriage justies the
preceding would be idle spread caustc lime, and
waste the little organic matter present IN the soil The
oxide and the hydate spontaneously attract caTbOnlc
acid from the air, and in this state speedily rendered
soluble by the carbonc acid disengaIed from vegetable
matter. besides forming other valuable compounds.
still of opinion that the advantage Of graduating our
mineral manures consists in nlttoo rapidly stimulating
The Young plants: AMI that the rule might safely be
tended 10 all the active mineral bases in proportion
their activity the of economy if not prevent
absolute injury. 1t does not always follow that when
little medicine of decided character does good that
will prove additionally servceabe. We may be indif
eren about the existence Of more less clay sand in
The so-of supera abundant vegetable mould, which is
quasi neutral product Of barn yard manure in excess,
which is nearly like condition at least. there is
nearer proportion between the organic elements-the
principle for which contend: but g,alo common salt
ashes. pOudIccs. of any description may be abused by
sowing them otherwise than sparngly at first, on land
destitute or deficient in vegetable matter. Up to
tain point those salts be advanlageousy increased
but beyond that point they exhaust the energies Of the
growing plant, by rapidly pro noting chemical
tons which always sufficiently sustained by or
panic matter te ground and organzabe matter in the
juices Of plants This conclusion is widely at variance
with the opinions Of many practical men the action
Of lime which is supposed to act slowly. May not the
nnobserved good effects, Immediately on its application
be partly owing to an undue stimulation Of growth, and
its subsequently, acknowledged efficacy be owing to
dminuon of It's quantity by lapse of time,
Of lis assuming a milder form? Can suppose, for a
moment, that the roots Of plants In contact with lime
should be Indifferent lis action for the space ola whole
year, under any circumstances? have known ii act
like charm upon strong land however stiff or sandy
An instance has lately come to my notice. of subSo
being freely exposed seeded in wheat and Owls of
guanO applied to the The wheat failed; and the
failure attributed naturally enough to INSULT
cheney ofguano But portion OF the same lot treated
with stable manure in the usual quantity answered ad
miraby My inference from these facts is that, in the
first instance there little vegetable matter and
that the guanO sown quite much the ground
could bear, although the experiment proved failure
1t seems to me bad policy TO whip up the energies Of
growing crops, unless keep up The action by car
bonaceous ament, capable Of sustaining them effective
ly and this desderatum the air alone is competent
to fulfil under ordinary circumstances certainly not so
fast is absolutely required by spreading large buses
the above mentioned stimuan manures on fields exhaus-
ed of mould Provided the land be well worked, the
evil may, IN some degree be corrected by the repeated
Illumination Of car5onic acid. Heavy rains may dilute
the salts wash them away but how easily can
tlsfy every indication by mixing organic matter with
them, and thus form strong and sabe'so.
have been credbly informed that Gen. H a resident
Of this district, years since, purchased farm on
the South side of the Potomac, completely exhausted as
he understood exhaustion, ard presume he was right
if appearances did not deceive. The arabic portion he
set in corn, and, without adding any manure save lime
he raised good crop. But how did he effect this ob
ec! By devOing the time and labor ofa boy and horse
his conn., unremlttng from the time first appear
ed above ground until it late work it any more
The crupwas said TO have remunerated the owner But
after all what is good crop? Some will be contenled
with one fine ear ard nubn or two; others will call Two
fine ears and stalks in HILL at The usual distance
excellent yield What is this in comparison with
the almost spontaneous harvess of Arkansas Tennes-
see. where the soil, perhaps. Is three feet deep?
have yet 10 similar display of exuberance from
worn-out fields, however laviShlv supplied with lime
guano, roudette ashes bones unsupported BY
table matter. Tile climate alone will hot account for The
difference.
There good reason for spreading lime on the sur
lace; as gosd one tor covering up guano mixed with
plaster. The ashes made farm might, perhaps be
hest employed. during the fall and early spring. for top
dressing grasses which cannot be furnished with organ
&c manure al any season. except sacrifice Of certain
valuable portions. When farm is once in GOOD order
ii would be advisable sow over the whole Of it, once
year. regular addition. salt and plaster very mode
ratey of course. Guano should be kept constantly on
hand, and used nthe economical way for the grain
crops and garden produce. may be question: wheth-
eT we should harrow in with rye and wheat the
time OF seeding them, or subsequently in the spling fin
iShng With the roller. sprinkling both occasions
might produce he greatest possible advantage; and who
ha' can afford to make the purchase would begrudge
The time and labor of simple an operation? When
planting my corn, plough guano, and repeat the ap-
pcaon On giving the crop the last benefit Of the cult
va'o Among other reasans for soaking seed III mineral
SOLUTION not the least is that dsgusis BIRDS and per
hapS destroys insects.
Another very important practice is not to allow land
eveTto remain Idle. The system formerly and very pro-
pery pursued ,o following lands for considerable enUth
OF time, IS eXceptUnaDe and be approved as a
rule The atmosphere should be at all times taxed 10
the utmost and if not by regular crops at least the
ground shond be occupied by indigenous weeds intended
for manure frequently they purpose better than
any Thing else, besides getting rid of them as pests
Nha' Is distracted from the air. is positive gain and
foo rs, Of course that the adding artificial
inahures we should the ground. if expect inter
est on me Investment Of 50 much capital in the shape Of
ihanureS Perhaps discretion is required in turn
ing our InanuTes to the best account than in procuring
Them How often, after striving to collect LARGE com.
posts and farn yard heaps do actua lly throw them
away or enroI the beds If creeks and rivers instead
Of our fields" How much f-rtiiznr matter j, iii frm
tot knowing lis value falling ID collect it at The pro
Per tine and in the proper way. EcJnlmsrs complain