Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-03-02
9nrmers department,
FOR THE ADVERTISER.
TO REN0VATE WORN OUT LAND-THATS THE
QUESTION

Mr. EDIToR-You invite, see, The contrbu-
ton of agricultural articles TO your columns. |
am glad of it, and hope that gentlemen having
experience in this business, will oe generous,
and embracing the opportunity thus presented,
publish it for the benefit of the needy.
After trying for several years to teach "tiic
young idea how 10 Shoot" have finally settled
down with The intention of trying 10 teach the
Young corn how to shoot. But find myself
gtcatly at loss in my new business feel
very much like have often imagined q mariner
would feel, finding himself away out hundreds
of miles from the land, in the broad, open sea,
without compass, sun or star know how to
plow, plant and even to-make good crops on
rich land; but unfortunately the land that ]
have to start upon, has been under cultivation
many years, without any efforts having been
made to improve it, or even keep it up. The
consequence is that it is very poor indeed, and
feel greatly tho necessity of doing something to
improve it. otherwise perish shall. But what
10 do-what course 10 pursue, that's the ques-
tion"
| have noticed for several years past that
many good farmers, or those reputed 10 be such,
are in the habit Of hauling leaves, soil, &c,
from their forests into their horse lots COW pens
and hog yards, to make manure; and | have
tried this plan little myself, but it proves
"slow business" for me- May be don't know
how to do it, but it is nevertheless undcuiably
yery expensive in the way Of time and labor
and is "roLbing Peter to pay Paul. to say the
least Of it,
have several exceedingly rich alluvial beds
on the river, and have tried my hand at haul
ing out from them upon the hs-but my kind
friends and advisers have praised me so much
Con the wrong side) for it, that have given that
up with disgust Yet, if had these beds out
on highland, wouldn't take dollar per cubic
foot for them. But, like all Of my good things,
they are out Of my reach.
Many farmers are using Guano, but have
ciphcred this out to bc-to my satisfaction, at
lcast-any thing but 4 good business. Let us
see: Guano in the city Of New York, sells at
. II cts per pound-in Charleston, at l-2 cts
1t would cost inc over cts per pound to get it
home. At the rate of 200 pounds per acre,
(Which is the average QuantityO the expense
would be over Sc, per aerc-which is i very
fair price for tolerably good primitive forest
land. Besides this, guano, am told, does not
,,,l 1t
seed, is exhausted the first year. If this is so,
there can't be much made by using it.
There is a gentleman in The city of Baltimore
who advcriiscs ferlilising manure, Mt about the
price of guano, which he says will gradually
improve land from year to year until it restores
it to its original produclivencss. If this is so,
he ought to be patronised; but-oh, but, but,
what 4 horrid word you are but doubt his
statement.
Several years ago was acquainted with a
gentleman in Newberry District, who WIS in the
habit of sowing peas, in the Fall. with his
wheat! These peas were 4 kind that would
not rot, but lie in the ground until Spring, when
they would "comc up" and after the wheat was
cut, become exceedingly rank and luxurant--
Now, if these peas had been turned under about
the middle of September, instead of being pas.
tured upon, as was the gentleman's custom. it
would evidently have greatly benefited the
land; and this course, Mr.. EDITOR, in connec-
ton with proper system Of rotation, think.
is the cheapest and best plan :: to rcnovatc worn
out land" But don't know-don't lave any
experience in the matter; and hope that those
who have, will enlighten me.
Now, have blazed out way, Mr. EDITOR,
such one as it is. Who will follow and clear
it ont, so that can see my way clearlys
]. a.
HIoGtSs' FERRY, Feb. IT, 1853.
EXTRACTING TAR.-This substance, so
extensively used in the Southern States for
T. =