Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-12-12
From the American Farmer
Improvement of CottOA and Corn Lands.
TARDoRo'. Elgecombe CO.. ~ Carolina,


Improvement Of CottoM and Corn Lands.
TARBoRo'. Edgecombe Co., NJ Carolina !
Oct 9, 1851.
My main purpose AT this time, is to lay
before you the analyses of four specimens of SOIL ia
ken from " rac: Of land ~ recently purchased ly-
ing or near Tar river. Having experience, prac
hcaIly in farming, and unable 10 decide with the ana.
yses hand, 10 what The soils in question are
deficient in the ingredients that compose perfect SOIL
and in what way these deficiencies can be most eco
homcay supplied, concluded 10 seek the desired infor
nation at your hands
Specimens A. B and G, were taken from the arabic
land, of which there are about 500 acres "a - has
been fairly MANFRED with cotton seed composted with
ditch banks for the last eight ten years. and plant
ed 10 cotton The yield has been invariably
fair seldom falling short Of 1000 lbs of " seed coon'
or 25 bushels of per The custom is almost
universal here to plant Peas between the rows of
corn What the average product per acre is. cannot
saw as they are moi gathered in many instances hu.
for Seed-the operation being tedious Hogs in
tended for fateung, are turned upon them as
the corn is housed In this way they pay as well pro-
baby as any other Ii would not be exaggeration,
think 10 set down The WELD this land at 90 hush
els II is conceded by all acquainted with the soils
afordng these specimens, that they not surpassed
anywhere in the production OF the 81 Field Pea" May
moi this fact be turned 10 good account in improving
the soil On the Roanoke, some experiments have
been made with surprising results, from the applca
ton of bushel of Plaster 10 the acre, peas sowed
broadcast during the early stage of their growth and
powing in the vines about the 1st of October, i'm
inediately after the hogs had fed off the peas
Specimen B" differs materially from in color,
being very dark soil, while the latter is brownish
or chocolate. Naturally. this is the best soil on the
farm or at least on the cultivated parts of it. The
subsoil is stiff blue clay having strong sulphurous
smell, and is doubtless under)ad by mari.
Specimen =" c. is a sample of large portion of
the open land, and although the former owner
sidered the cultivation of it remuneative, / feel
willing TO continue to do unless, perchance, there
is probability of being repaid for the effort 10 make
it productive. A glance at the analysis will not
fail, apprehend. 10 give you at once insight into
the character of this soil 1t has been robbed of its
good name and left poor indeed" 1t wants that body
compactness, necessary to retain the better portions
of all putrescent Still the remedy is at hand
hope But as 10 that, you must decide after reading
farther.
There are 300 acres of wood land lying between the
cleared land and the river, for the most part pretty heav
ly tmbered with oak, hickory, gum. &c. Occasion
ally the rises high enough 10 overflow the banks
of the river and nundaie the greater part of the wood
land lntersperse9 here and here-sometimes running
parallel with, at others making out at right angles from
the rIver-are ravines or hollows in which the water
makes its way during these fresheis, and deposits
sediment Of a brownish hue, which with the leaves
and other vegetable mater-the accumulation of cen
turies-forms a compost, made by natures " canny
hand combining, suppose, nearly, if not all tn
elements, both organic and inorganic, to restore thu
jlght ABOVE menuOned least 10 original
1ility, if applied with liberal hand
Specimen D " was procured from ridge" ly
ing between two of the before named =" hoows."-
My object in having this specimen analysed, was Il
ascertain if adapted to the cultivation of cove
and the artificial grasses This ridge" is not beyon
1he reach of high water but is sometimes covered TO
weeks together.
| have tried in manner not very perspicuou
though, 10 describe what sort of soil soils I shall
"' flush my maiden" hoe upon. IT'S true, some tw'
I1r,r 10 Cor Hh
neghbors said, was fool enough TO pay $40 per acr
for it, when it not WORTH inrnsically, half tina
price. planted few acres in corn, and by dint o
heavy manuring, and superior cultivation, succeeded
in making six barrels ground that had not produce
three 10 the acre for many years before. The neigh
bors would have it that every bushe of corn cost mi
dollar, which not the case, if, in the est
mate they made, nothing allowed in the expendi
for for the benefit that future crops wou
receive from lis application Be this as it may,
sold the farm after possession of less than two years
for S48 per Notwithstanding my friends declar
lost money by the operation. suffice it 10 say, ar
pretty well satisfied with that hogshead of sugar. an
Jam willing to be fooled again in the way, if yo
will but help me in the start.
Now, sir, with all the lights before you, and
readiness my part TO make an outlay of none
and labor, commensurate with what may be clearl
demonstrated as necessary, the end that good CROP
may be produced and fair profits reaZed-will yo
undertake to be my prompter, and state what cours
you would pursue IN the premises.
Swamp mud, river desposite, ditch banks.
hand-ashes and charcoal may be had for the burr
ing. Stable manure, human ordure, cotton see'
bones. woollen rags, &C., may be husbanded. Ma
abounds in every section of the country. Lime, pla
Ter, bone-dust and guano can he laid down atmy far
and many Others almost where they to be applie
at 80 freight per barrel. from New York Bait
more. Now, if any all of these be used 10 al
vantage our lands, do not see what is 10 hind
from giving them fair trial. But wish to z
to work advisedy
design 10 make Corn and Cotton the main crops viii
Peas, Rye, Oats, &C. will be considered as a
juncs to facilitate the improvement of the land CT
you suggest system of rotation, in crops, 10 furth
the latter object, without prejudice to the productie
of these tsoo great staples Pamela"
B C T
Moisture. ............. b.. I5l.... .22.... g..
Organic matter. ...... &c.,. T. 49,. 242.... 4.
Fine quartz sand and
Sill. Lime and Mag 49, .... 49, .... 9332.... 70.