The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1852-05-19

10 k< prsdseed il the soil. Or 80 p<s-
nsser the deeempss'tioa Il exsstiag
compounds. a to prepare them nsrs
speedily tor ~atrr'nE into the cssesla-
ton II plaats."s Lime may be ssed
upon p<wly cleared kelds as well ~ -
those worn out Indeed, we have been
informed by Mr. Josiah Collins, . very
extensive aud highly educated farmer
ia Washington county, in this stx1e.
that he uses lime upon his newly cleared
lands, which has the effect fs neutral
ize the vegetable acids which prevail
in new lands that have not been long
drained. This gentleman has succeed
ed. by the use Of lime, in reclaiming
portion Of savannah land which Was
thought by fhose who knew IT to be al
most salueiess. 81 rs glrpss sI
The use Of lime as . fertilizer. is Of
very ancient date. The Roman sgricul-
turists used il in the culture OF fruit
trees, and the Arabs Of Spain also used
il successfully. Until within fe~
years past. its value as fertilizer has
not been generally known in this coun,
try. Our farmers now are beginning 10
learn that there are correct principles
bv which they are 10 he guided in its
application. Sand. though really nom
productive alone, is highly necessary
in the soil to the luxuriani growth Of
plants. Ii enters largely into the for-
mation Of the stalk of the various grain
crops, and when il 10 wanting to
great extent, the stalks, particularly Of
the various small grain crops, are weak
and unable To support the ear, and con-
sequentIy lodge and are difficult to
reap. Where soil is principally clay,
it Is found to be too tenacious, and il
becomes necessary to mix in sand with
it, which viii greatly increase the pro-
duet. besides rendering the land less
difficult to cultivate. Clay does not
enter as constituent in plants, but il
is essentially necessary in the soil, in
order to render II sufficiently compact
and tenacious as to be adapted to the
growth of plants. The remaining mine
rails are the phosphatcs and alkalies,
whichare really importantto the growth
Of plants, and when deficient can easily
BE- supplied. Vegetable mould is the
natural manure of the soil, aud all ex-
hausted and worn out lands are de6.
cient Of it to a great extent; but it may
be easily supplied by resorting tn the
swamps and bogs. and to the woods. BY
proper use Of lime, ashes, salt, soda,
bone dust, muck and woods-mould, the
farmer need not have exhausted fields !;
for by proper combination Of these,
as each is required, he can soon have
his land in more fertile condition than
perhaps il was in its primitive state.
!. From what we have already said, we
are sure that every thinking and read
ing farmer will at cnce see how i'm
portant it is to be acquainted with the
nature of the soil he cultivates, and the
action of the manures he accumulates.
There is scarcely any part of our State
in which lime, shells, or mari, may
not be had at such cost as to justify the
farmer in using them as fertilizers and
the swansps, bogs and salt-marshes are
almost innumerable. The Supreme
Ruler has beer all wise in his proyi-
sions; for where the suil is easily ex-
hausted. there may be found the very
materials for enrlching it and making Il
more fertile than before.
What is wanting in our State to ele-
vate the farmer to that position which
he has right to claim, and ought te
occupy, is to impress upon him ths
great Importance Of liberal educatioG
. in the prosecution of his business suc.
cessfully. Let the thousands of boys
attending our common schools, aud de.
signed TO become farmers. be instruc.
ted in the elements Of agriculture
This may not make them at once good
farmers, but it will lay the foundation
for it. We hope that every teacher il
the State will at once introduce int,
his school little work on the element
Of agriculture, published in France
and re. published in this country by F
: G. Skinner, adapted to the schools Q
our country. This book may be had a
the book stoore of c. Nj. Saxton, il
New York. Indeed, the best way Q
getting this book introduced int
schools, is for those who deal in book
in our State to obtain them, and the
urge their use, which we are sure the
will do after reading it.
We shall in each number of our pa
per treat on some one of the fertilizer
which may be used to advantage by ou
: farmers.
I DEER Soil AND DEEP RooTs. -
/ wording farmer says, "I have seen tn
roots of strawberries extend five fee
down into a rich deep sell, and thos
/ plants bore a crop Of fruit FIVE times
and twice as handsome and good as tn
! common produce of the soil enly on
n foot Deep"
hi A FREAK OF NATURE. Mr.. Jabe
h Mckay, living near White Marsh, c,
/ lumbus county, North Carolina, has