The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1853-08-10
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
Letters from Professor Emmons

Lefters from Professor EmmonS-
June ., Iss2.
- HIS RrceLlsHcy Dnrid s. Rid.
SrR: ! stated in my last communi-
cation that the direct application Of Ter
tilizers to the soils which have been
long cultivated, must be res1rted To Tor
the purpose Of reriying their produc-
tive powers. But this plan may be aid
ed greatly By additional means er COM
psratlrely trifiing expense. These
means, as whole, come under the ge-
neral name offiiiage. Iembrace under
this head all the modes of breaking up
the soil and patting il into the best con.
Jiiiun, aud one which shall favor the
growth Of crop and gire IL chance
toderi,e the greatest benefit from those
torces and powers which exist in the
kindly elements of the inorganic world
These elements embrace light, air and
water, each Of which, though ! have
called them elements, operate in their
own peculiar modes, not only in virtue
OF a complex composition, but also as
whole, precisely as il they were each Of
them truly the simple uncombined ele-
ments OF the Chemist. Water, for ex-
ample, performs a function as water,
without undergoing any change in its
composition. 50 il also is ,lecom passed
in the living tissue pf the vegetable,
aud ITS oxygen is appropriated as an
element, To certain uses ia the vegeta.
Bile organization. But the word tlllage
may be applied and used properly IN 4
more extensive sense; il may embrace
the cultivation OF certain crops which
are designed 10 improve the soil me-
chanicaliy, and transfer the nutriment
already ~ the soil from a deep to sa-
periicial position, aud thereby bring it
within the reach of the roots Of the cuI-
ti,ated plants. Something more is still
effected by their use; and it is main.
tanned that certain crops. such AS clo-
yer, and the pea, take iran the atmos-
phere important elements which ia the
end are added 10 the soil. However
tins may be, the cultivation pf these
crops are very important aids, which
may be employed everywhere for the
purpose Of ameliorating the condition
IL the sell. Cloveris especially an i'm
portant crop; il has certain advantages
over others which should not he over
looked. In North Carolina, however.
IL has net generally succeeded not be.
cause clover refuses To grow IN this
but because its value has been
anderratel, and many attempts To crow
II have failed. Consequently, the idea
that the atteMpt TO cultivate it will, or
may result II failure, operates unfa-
,orably throughout the State. Clima.e.
haweser, is uat bar to it's most ID per
feet growth. The finest fields of clio,
yer may now be seen standing ia Meek
lcnburga nd tabarrus auaties. Some
glaa'at'ons in Edgcenmbe grow it with
laxuriance equal 10 any thing seen IN
New England and New York. The
failure must therefore be attributed to
the planter, and the cause of HE fail
lrs may therefore be removed. The |
reasons for the cultivation of clover are |
numerous. These reasons not only re- |
ate to and effect an essential improve
nent Of the sail, but it furnishes
arge addition to the fodder fr stock. I
Cattle, horses and hugs are extremely i
'nnd of it, It's ronts are large and pc.
,etrate deeply into the soil, affecting
hereby mechanical division highly
important to the wheat crop, which al \
Ways succeeds the cloves na,ler the
Rost favorable conditions. In fine, the
cultivation Of green crops ranks amnng
he best aud most efficient means for
estoring the soil to its original ferti-
ity.
| am, most respectfully. vour obedi-
mt servant, +. EMMONS.