Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-04-04

ers' Club, by FREDERICK J. BRAND, Esq.
X
The means 20 be used in improyeino soil
are as various as the soils themselves some
lack but one important Ingredient others. va
riety. Some are adapted to the production of
special order of plants chemically considered,
others again, to variety. They NAV have be-
come barren by a continual cultivation of one
species, and the removal, without return by
means OF manure,) of the fibres and fruit, In
THIS case, another species would thrive on the
| same soil, as all the matters contained in the
sap, are not capable of assimilation but are ey-
creted or thrown of by the root, and combine
with the sol--thus fitting it for the production
of another class of plants. Now all plants re-
| quIre the same elements as food, but combined
in different proportions and in variable qualities.
When any excess of nutriment for the formation
OF any OF their organs is present, the excess
Is returned again to the Earth, to subserve the
purpose of another organism.
These facts led to the adoption Of a system of
Attenuation. A iudicous plan of rotation cam
not be adopted, without knowledge of the prim-
tive capabilities OF a SOIL The chemical con-
stItuents OF plants, and their action on those
capabilities. These being understood, success
sion OF beautiful crops is obtainable, and by the
application OF suitable manure, an increased fer
! tilitv.
But it will be sufficient for our purposes to
! enquire, what will be most likely to benefit us
/ as individuals. In order to do this, let us look
at our past and present condition. These vast
! plains were formerly covered with grass, which
! was burnt and its alkalies consequently re-
! turned to the soil. This return would again
exercise Its powers in the production of the
succeeding growth, increasing its plenitude
by the addition to the disintcgra,ing nfiuenc es
of the atmosphere, of large amount of potash
this increase would continue until an obstacle
was presented to check the admission of air. in
the firmly bound turf, when its growth would
become nearly stationary. In this state, We
found our virgin soil Experience has shown
us some truths in regard to it d! The first OBJ
lect of agrlculturist here has been, the produc-
ton OF wheat; for this purpose, the turf has been
broken in June and July months in which veg
Itatlon assumes its most vigorous growth, and
in which, heat, air, and moisture, exert their
privcval strength, in the decomposition of soils
and vegetable fibre. Now, observation teaches
me, that the strength Of stalk obtained on our
new grounds, the quantity of grain and quality
is due to alkaes, which have been accumulatinG
for centuries, to disntcgration for the space of
over year and, to the decomposition of the
fibres of grass, and consequent formation of car
bonc acid. Breaking done in the fall, or early
spring, though a sufficient quantity OF alkalics
are present, will produce neither much straw
nor wheat, because sufficient quantity of car
rbonic acid is not formed, the fibre of the sod
not being in the state ofdccay soon enough, to
supply the nourshments required until it is able
to snstnn itself from the atmosphere.
/ When early breaking is planted with corn
. this deficiency is not felt The alkalies in a
soil, do not specially benefit this crop, small
portion silicate merely is required and what is
used, is principally assimlIatcd when the plant
has attained an advance growth. Nor is carbon
&c acid in large quantity, required in this soil.
/ The germ throws its root, and shoot, by means
of the substance contained in the seed, and they
! Immediately draw their carbon from the atmos-
phere In warm weather most plants dispense
carbon to a soil, the excess from the air, being
deposited in it, by the roots We call attention
4 to the fact, that corn will not flourish in cool
weather, as proof of this, even, though the soil
be full of humus. Now heat is the grand
source or medium, Of carbon, to all plants
And cultivation benefits corn in these ways,
first, by admitting heat into the earth, and retcn-
lion of moisture second, by the removal of
weeds which if suffered to grow, would shade
il, and would apply to themselves, the ammo
MIA OF the soil
The only benefit that could arise to the corn
crop, from being planted on the sod in the usual
wav and having the usual after culture, (none
at ALL which sod had been broken eleven months
previous, would be in its loosCning by the frost
Of winter, and therefore better ability to absorb
heat, and retain moisture.
But what then does il need, to ensure 4 good
growth 1t needs carbon, and derives it from
the atmospheric very small quantity of pot
ash,--the influence of light and heat, moisture
and Nitrogen. Corn plants convey the rain and
dew, that falls, or is condensed Oh the leaves.
down the stalk, thus bringing them unto direct
proximity with the roots, where the carbonate of
ammonia is taken up, and applied to purposes of
nutrition.
If the above conclusions be correct the appli-
cation of stable and yard mBnure, only benefit
corn by the heterogeneous matter, and salts OF
magncsia, which they contain. My own eXpe-
ricnce comedies with the above fact
The remark has been in my hearing. in the
past year, that we cannot raise corn here with
out manure. In seasons like the past we can.
The large quantity of rain during the summer
and fall with the intense heat, furnishing am
monia and carbon did the work, and good corn
can be obtained, by the application of small
quantity of gypsum. Ill an ordinary season.
have dwell longer onthis topic, than should
had not had in view the tltung ct the land tor
grass. Grass culture is becoming more, and
more, the first object OF Importance to US. Nor
can we be better prepared tor this, than by the
cultivation Of corn. We may summer taIIow
and sow grass with wheat, but then the slIicale
Of potash set free by dlsntcgration, will be
mostly required for the straw. The same obec-
ton hes against sowing grass seed with wheat
on ground cultivated in corn. the proceeding
summer, unless we'll manfred. In this case
the potash in the manure, added to that formed
by dslntegraton, forms large surplus in the
soil, for the nourshment of the grass, the corn
having appropriated so little, that we may dis
pense with an account of it. Barley would be
better than wheat to SOW grass with, and oats
better still. were il not for the dense shade, and
their inclination to tall, on rich land.
Potatoes require but a small amour, o potash
thew may therefore be followed by grass, OF
wheat to the advantage to the farmer They
flourish well after Buckwheat, for the same
reaaon. Grass should never be sown after a
crop of Buckwheat has been taken of the field
for 1t completed, exhaustS a soil of lis Potash
butif summer fallow be sown with Buck
wheat so as to plough it in. when in blossom
which should occur about The first Of July, and
, the grass seed sown and narrowed in immediate
l. 4o.;l,J 20 rifol ,voul1 ha invested for the