Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1852-12-02

Farmer most valuable information. 1t is
difficult, ] know, tn change old habits and
systems, and to shake off prejudces which
have grown up with US. Yet there is no
maxim truer than that acknowledge is pow
er," and especially is it applicable to Agri-
culture. Few sciences now in their acquire
ment require more the full exercise of the
intellectual faculties than Agriculture. Crop
ping, like everything else, is found to be
very uncertain. Our object should be to
guard, 50 far as we have the power, against
this uncertainty. In those cases where fail
ures occur from bad management, bad sea-
sons, or poor land, we all know The cause.
Bu' then there are very many cases where,
under apparently favorable circumstances
failures do occur, and we know no, the
cause. This is le(! to be explained and
shown by those sciences which are The hand
maids of agriculture. Chemistry, Geology,
Botany and Zoology, are all imporlan, to
be we'll understood, and when known by
him who has WORKOUT land to improve, the
first great step has been taken to ensure sue
cess in the accomplishment Of his object
d. not, however, mean By this, tha, every
one, 10 become Farmer, must necessarily be
d Chemist, or Geologist not a, all - all
niean is, that the principles of the sciences
which have so intimate connection with
Agriculture should be understood, so as TO
facilitate our success and perfect a system
in our farming operations. This knowledge
alone, ] am aware, will not suffice withou,
praetice, combined with habits of industry
and economy. The Farmer ho possesses
these requisites is now prepared 10 under
stand the modus operandi Of Natures laws.
He can comprehend an analysis Of her Or
genie and inorganic systems, showing the
different constituents and proper food Of the
vegetable world. He is qualified TO detec,
the causes of a barren soil, and knows wha,
tletliliZing elements have been removed and
how they can be restored. In short, he is
prepared "to make two blades Of grass grow
where only one or none grew before."-
Utpier such circumstances the young Farm
er enters upon his poor and unproduc!ive
esgte. He sees in a short time the grea
erscr into which his ancestor had fallen
who had farmed j, in the old way. He finds
~ .e "skiDning system" had been pur-
sued which destroyed the surface soil, OF
top mould, leaving nothing for the support
of vegetation. He sees where bitches have
been neglected and the best parts Of the land
destroyed by bogs and quagmires. He as
ceriains this field to be deficient in morgan
ic or mineral substances, and that lime,
magnesia, or potash is wanting. lie dis
covers another where the proper application
OF pulrescent manures alone, furnishing
more carbon and ammonia, will suffice to
improve it. 10 fact, he finds that two mucl,
surface has been gone over without any re-
gard to the profits of labor, and that each
year has witnessed the gradual, yet certain
deterioration of the land. What is lie now
to do TO renova.e this land? That know
ledge with which he is already fortified,
teaches him what TO do.
The subject Of renovatiDg worn out lands
is one which has excited, and Is still excit-
ing the deepest interest throughout our
country. it has engaged the patient inves-
ugaion and mature consideration Of our
ables. and most skillful agricuturists. They
have published their theories after having
tested them by practice, and proven them
TO be true | have confidence in the teach
ings Of such men, because believe them TO
be honest and we'll qualified for the task
they have undertaken. They are Farmers
themselves, and it is reasonable to suppose
that their great object has been, and still is.
TO benefit that class to which they belong
deem it unnecessary here to enter into a
detail of the different plons which have been
suggested, and with which most of you are
4 I.
merely to give general outline for the bene-
fit Of some, who may no! with others, have
enjoyed the same advantages of obtaining
information.
The earth has truly been styled the grea,
mother Of US all. She is a kind and mun-
ficent parent when properly cared for by
her children but neg lecl her, and she ceases
cessary for The sustenance and happiness of
man. The soil like animal nature, when
overworked, if not supplied with its sccus-
toned food and permitted to rest, tires,
weakens, and becomes exhausted. When
it reaches this state, like the human body
prostrated by sickness, it Is diseased and
requires aid. Those men who stand high
as practical and scientific Farmers, are the
best doctors for all lands in such a condi-
lion. They have treated many such patients
and restored Them to health and vigor.-
They tell us, who have similar patients on
our hands, lha! to be successful we mus, pur-
sue the same course in our treatment; that
is, first, gentlemen, you must divide your
arbe land, by good and strong fencing, into
fields of such a size only as will sui. your
means to manure well, aud your team and
hands to work well. NJ practice has been
more erroneous or more injurious to an i'm
proved state Of Agriculture than the one so
generally pursued, of attempting to bring in
to cultivation our whole land, VIXEN, in ma