Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-09-03
From the American Farmer,

ciety,) BY Wm' GRESHAM, of King q Queen
The liberal offer of the Maryland State Agriculiu-
fa society,", Tor The - best essay on the comparative
value OF different manures, founded upon actual expe-
rment,'' has no doubt awakened spirit 10 emulation
among Farmers and will bring forth to the public an
account of the experiments which they have been so
anxousy and carefully practising for several years
past, with view TO the improvement Of their worn-ou
| land.
Ii is not my design on this occasion 10 Introduce
any new theory, supported by novel experiments but
shall attempt 10 compile and arrange my Tariots plans
and experiments, in such manner TO make them
striking and Illustrative of the benefits received, and
TO corroboaie those who have preceded in this noble
cause. Already have fhe essays of STABIER and
others, given impetus 10 the improvement of Soils
which has placed them high in the estimation of the
farming community, and cause their names long 10 be
cherished by this benefited class Nor can fail TO
mention the great advantage that has been given to
that community by Edmund Rufn, the pioneer in the
cause OF the improved agriculture in Virginia the truths
OF whose writings and practical experiments have
emlnentIy rewarded the agricuurist.
The anxious desire of the Maryland State Agricul-
tural Society for the diffusion of practical knowledge
and OF rendering itself useful, has placed ii high in
the estimation of the farmers throughout the Union,
and commands fer it an unprecedented respect Moth.
ing is more calculated 10 give great impetus to
that spirit Of improvement which is abroad in the
land, than the annual meetings Of this society where
the agrlcuursts of the different sections of the
try assembled-where interchange of views
and plans are discussed or weighed, and where the
practical esuts of land and labor brought together
! in competition.
Although my experiments with the different 1anures
have not been extensive as would have wished
yet fully have been convinced of the great benefit
have received that at the risk of being considered but
novice' in the science of agriculture, have deter
mined 10 give them.
gard the basis of all permanent improvement, the
most important element towards the improvement of
worn out lands. and without which, in form, all
attempts to resuscitate them will be vain and frutess
From various experiments have made with the DIFF
ferent kinds of lime, have become convinced that shell
lime is the most valuable and eficacious. The supe-
rior fertzing qualities OF shell lime, is in part arbu
table 10 the phosphorus contained in the oyster she'll
have also applied stone lime from New York and
Baltimore, and can with certainty say, the Baltimore
surpasses that from New York; soil contains mag
nesia, and that account the alum stone lime acts
more promptly than the magnesia lime of Pennsyl
vania and New York.
The properties of Lime.-The properties of lime
have been so often described and written upon, that it
would be unnecessary for to occupy much time and
space in going into detail but necessary is it, for
all 10 understand of them that line upon line
cannot be too often repeated
| We know lime 10 be an essential element of all
productive SOILS and upon its presence in manner
depends all improvement; so powerfully has it acted
upon acid soils, abounding in sorre grass, that its
application with great dsnctness he traced in the
first crops. In correcting the acdity of soils,
and decomposing the poisonous metallic SALTS" il has
acted most benefcialy. Lime renders soils which
TO be packed and close with scanty supply of
grass, much pulverous and easy to be cultivated
giving life like appearance, and renders the cultiya
ton much more agreeable 10 the farmer-it tends to
break down the tenacity of stiff clay, improves their
riablity and prepares them 10 be aceI upon by the
atmosphere while on the other hand upon light soils
il acts equally beneficial, in increasing their tenacy
improves their power OF retention, and may prevent in
a measure, the loss of nutve manuTes by exhaa-
tion Lime tends 10 convert the inert vegetable mat
Ter which remains in the land, into food and thus per-
forms the Office of solvent of inert vegetable matter
into nutritious food for the growth of pants- is the
agent 10 decompose and feed the land with such vege-
table matter as would otherwise remain undecomposed
and in this manner may be regarded as an essential
element of the soil.
| The mode Of applying Lime.-I have now been using
lime eight or ten years, and had not been able
to have procured ii for my land, should long since
have found home in our western wilds," for am
certain could have never improved them without the
of lime or other calcareous earths; for stable and
purescent manures did not after two crops
hibt any very apparent effect. The mode have ad-
opted in applying lime, has been made easy, and new
er inteIferes with my other farming operations So
soon as have finished my corn crop, say about 1oh
or 18th July order my lime from Baltimore and com.
mence checking off my land with stakes twenty one
feet long. check the field entirely each way.
each check contains fortynlne square yards; in The
middle of the square scfape sralls pace sufficiently
large 10 hold half bushe of lime, which is deposited
from the wagon and the hands go on Immediately and
spread it, the square being perfectly visible the hands
can in this manner apply it over the whole space
with great accuracy. The application is within frac-
ton of fifty bushels of lime 10 the acre, each check
contains 49 sqr. yards, and if we allow 40 900
square yards 10 make an acre. it would be exactly ff-
y bushels TO the but il is sufficiently near for all
practical purposes. ! consider it much more beneficial
to apply it the grass, than upon land after it is
plouged; / would advise in all cases, 10 spread il
upon the surface; and if the farmer spare The CAPT
tai long, that should be applied two three years
before it is broken Jpn My reason for thus applying
me is, that it is not only convenient, and be
more accurately done but that more thoroughly mix
es with the soil by the rains and frosts of wnter.
have, however derived very great and permanent ben
eft from applying it in the and breaking it up
cation for the first dressing, unless the land should be
exceedingly rich, when it would bear much larger
quantity My mode is TO apply fifty bushels the first
application and to follow it with second application
of fifty bushels more when the land again comes into
regular cultivation. From all the agricultural inform
alton have upon the lasting benefit of lime upon land,
is that hundred bushels 10 the is a sufficient
quantity for almost all land, and that IFS fertility can
be brought 10 any extent OF improvement, provided
is followed by other agents and manures; IFS effect
will last from fifteen to twenty years. and other ap
be irrelevant and OCT of place for me here 10 impress
the importance of draining and deep ploughng in
conjunction with any and all manares, essential in
the permanent improvement of all out lands-et
him who expects TO reap crop upon wet or badly
ploughed land by the application OF lime, any
other manure, be al once andecieved
The necessity ofollotcing lime aeM other agents and