Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-04-07
FOR THE SPECTAr OR.
To THE FARMERS OF WEST VIRGINIA,
SO z

63nt1emen "A young friend, (the son of
one ofyourselves) was conyersing with me
not long since, on the subject of ploughing
down clover. He said that he had thought
great deal on the subject, but that some
difficulties presented themselves, which he
was not able to solve. at is very PLAIN, :.
he remarked, that, if you cut clover OFT
one field and spread it on another, the lat
ter will be enriched while the former VIII
be Impoverished ; because you take part
Of what is valuable from the one and give
il to the other. But, when clover grows up
from the SOIL and you plough 1t down a.
gain into the same sol, 1T is very PLAIN that
you add nothing new-you only return
what has been taken up by the growing
clover How, then, can such process en-
rich the soil -
at is favorable omen," replied "to
find you exercising your mind With such
questions but you have fallen into very
common mistake-that of supposing that
there is nothing new added to the soil,
when the clover that grows on it is plough
ed down. Why did you not get some Of
your old neighbors, who have been plough
ing down clover for the last twenty years,
to explain this matter to you?"
81 did ask some of them to explain it, but
one told me he didn't know much about it.
another said he kneic rery ,cell. but was not
used 10 eGplaining things of that sort; anoth-
er said he left all such things for The book
farmers 10 talk about and so | got no salts
faction out of any Of Them"
''To give full and satisfactory expl ana
ton Of your difficulty" l added, ''would IN
volve several important questions in the
science of Agriculture. Instead of answer
ing these questions no,c, refer you to the
future numbers of the Spectator" in
which you will find some remarks that may
enable you to solve this as well as some
other questions, that every farmer ought to
be able to answer, both for himself and his
younger neighbors. For the present will
give you list Of the propositions to be dis
cussed -
list. What elements enter into the nour-
ishment of different crops? or in other words
OF what are the several grains, grasses, SC.
composed?
I'd. From what sources do crops receive
their nourishment?
Sd. What elements are derived from the
soil?
4th. What must soil contain to render
it fertile?
9th. Why are some manures much supe.
rior to others; and why will given kline
of manure often improve one soil very sen
sible, while it has very little effect on ;
soil Of different character?
9th. Why do different crops require diff
fersnt kinds of fertilizers
9TH. What are the chief advantages arts
ing from deep ploughing and sub-sol
ploughing"'
"These, you can see at once, are all very
important questions, and not to be fully an
swered without patient investigation"
Ii you, gentlemen, to whom take the
liberty of addressing my remarks, have
sons, who are to pursue the same bushes.
in which you are engaged, will you not af
ford them an opportunity of going forward
IN that progressive movement the world i:
now making in the great business of agri
culture There are institutions in YOU
own section of the State, in which the prin
ciples of Agricultural science are taught
in which the minds of your sons may be
trained to patient and through research, anc
stored with such facts and principles as
will be of constant practical utility in the
pursuit of their business. But, if YOU fee
that you cannot afford to send your son to
College to prepare for his profession, you
can, at least, encourage him to read and
think on the subject at home. A few dol.
lars spent in agricultural books and papers
will be well invested.
Yours, most respectfully,
COLONUS.