Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-08
AGRICULTURAL.


On the Selection Of n Farm.
Mr.. Editor.--The farmerh has been com
pared to gencral-his farm to battle
field. lift is incumbent upon the one fight
ing the battle Of day to be cautions in Sc
lccnng his position, how much more essen
tial is that quality to the other preparing for
a lifetime battle The time was in the
history Of our agriculture when ope1 was
the waich-cry; the tall primeval forest soon
melted before the woodman's axe. Re-
gardlcss OF the future. our ancestors, look
ing only to the present, with little Judgment
and less discretion, soon exhausted, the
shallow, yet fertile soil around them. Then
under their system change was necessary.
But another era has arisen. The stunted
pine, the yawning gully. and the broom
sedgc have taken the place once occupied
by the giant nonarchs Of the wood. Now,
another system is necessary. Improve
ment still opens glorious field to the far
mer, for the full cultivation Of which, in
choosing residence, it is needless to say,
he should locate for life Allow one, who
with little experience still desires to contrl-
butte his mite to the common good, to give
brief synopsis of what should influence
one in such location.
First, in regard to the house; he should
see that it is easy Of access, convenient to
wood, and with an abundant supply Of
good water near; as nothing more than it
contributes to the health and general well
being of family. He should observe Of
there are any) whether the marshes and
stagnant waters are west and south Of the
dwelling, as the winds which generally
prevail during the generation Of miasma
blow from that quartcr-if there is an in
tcrmcdiate body of woods the better. He
should make strict enquiry into the health
of the place, particularly if ponds or large
water courses are adjacent.
There are various other observations,
which discreet purchaser will not fail to
make, viz: the arrangement of the interior
ofthe house, its ventilation, and many others,
which, while oftoo little importance to hin
der his selection, should certainly have due
weight in influencing his contract. Though
the house and its appurtenances may have
all to please the eye and crafty the senses,
yet, if the land be originally deficient in
fertility, he should do any thing else than
purchase. If originally fertile, yet i'm
poverished by negligent culture, let him be
Gr snccessf,l ;mnrovcncn,-for NO ma vim
Il more n xiomatical than this Gland orii.,;;.
naJIv fertile has n stronc Tendency when
IMPOVERISHED to resum its pristine state"
The best soil is a chocolate loan. Such |
land is good for any crop. SO fiablc as
to be easily worked, yet so tenacious as to
resist washing. There are some highlands
based on a clay subsoil that are rich and
productive. The philosophy ofdecp plough
ing long since taught what Experiment. has
since corroboratcd, that the power of land
to resist washing is increased in proportion
TO the depth tits broken. The rationale is
this: the water Is absorbed instead of run
mng oil. Light land at best lacks tcnacity;
ITS dense subsoll prevents absorption; the
thin surface Is soon saturated. The water
not beng absorbed, running through so
iriable a soil, Its effects are painfully mani
tested IN the woinl gullies unfortunately
too prevalent IN Virginia. The scientific
agnculturst tells us, thathght lands, though
quick and productive, are liable from their
cvanescent properties to quick deteriora-
uon' ana require a constant application OF
manure. "h,ie we admitln them the pos
session OF good quaii'ies' sun we advise
purchaser 10 ouy such only when he can
&c, none oet.er. ihesc remarks nave sPc-
ciai aPPhcauoh 10 the middle region OF 'ir-
gina =.
&c, 'hough the sol, may we IN fernl,'y
win the valley o, the Nlie-'hough health
may take IT'S ABODE IN 'hat dwelling-yet
u the neiShoorhood DC unsociaoic' 1t is no
nome lor 'na' man VINO w'sncs 10 act IN
harmony WIN lna' Prihc,Pie' III Is not good
=; ;or man m 70 oo aiohe' wan Is a social be
III. nc poor nun ,. surrounded by his
,, 'o.'S n'o'1 sono hapP,hess IN ms
u..D,e COY ,,la.' In, sne 'o'''y 'e'NirN IN his
'"I' anu a'nP.o ,''aliu'
e' 'no u,enaser aiSo le,'eii'ocr' una,
ILL., Lo , ,l u, i. 'nu so ~ L S n not
"a. n.o".", oei'u.1 " ms iaiiiiy-
o ai 80: 'a' c'o'n oo..5 a't'oon''S VI ',ii'
pan =" hie"' i'i Suue"'ioiti i'ui l'osts, tdhcS
the boy from the influence OF parental die