Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-08-03
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

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June 1st 1868.
! n II,s sEv,,r11 EJcy DAVID S. REID-
SIR. I stated in my last communication that
the direct application of fertilizers to the soils which
have been long cultivated must be resorted to for the
purpose of reViving their productive powers. But
this plan may be aided greatly by additional
of comparatively tTifiing expense These means,
! a whole come under the general name of tLLGge.
embrace under this head all the modes of breaking
p the soil and putting it into the best condition. and
one which shall favor the growth of crop and give
it chance to derive the greatest benefit from those
forces 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 complex composition
but also whole precisely as If they were each OF
them truLy the simple uncombined elements Of the
Chemist Water, for example, performs function
as water, without undergoing any change IN its com
position So it also is decomposed in the living It's
sue of the vegetable and its oxygen is appropriated
as an element to certain uses in the vegetable organ
ization But the word tllage may be applied and
used properly in more extensive sense; 1t may en-
brace the cultivation of certain crops which are de-
signed to improve the soil mechanically, and transfer
the nutriment already in the soil from deep to a
superficial position, and thereby bring it within the
reach of the roots of the cultivated plants. Some
thing is still effected by their use; and it is
maintained that certain crops, such as clover, and
the pea, take from the atmosphere important ele-
ments which in the end are added to the soil. How
ever this may be- the cultivation of these crops
where for the purpose of ameioratng the condition
of the soil Clover is especially an important CROP
it has certain advantages over others which should
not be overlooked. In North Carolina, however, it
has not generally succeeded not because clover re-
fuses to grow in its climate but because its value has
been moderated and many of the attempts to grow
it have failed. Consequently, the idea that the at
tempt to cultivate it WILL may result in failure,
operates unfavorably throughout the State. Climate,
however is not bar to its most perfect growth The
finest fields of clover may now be standing in
Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties. Some planta-
tons in Edgecombe grow it with luxuriance equal to
any thing seen in New England and New York. The
failure must therefore be attributed to the planter
and the cause of its failure may therefore be
ed The reasons for the cultivation of clover
numerous These reasons not only relate to and eff
feet an essential improvement of the soil, but frn
ishes large addition to the fodder for stock Cattle,
horses and hogs extremely fond of it. It's roots
large and penetrate deeply into the soil, affecting
thereby mechanical division highly important to
the wheat crop, which always succeeds the clover
under the most favorable conditions In fne the
cultivation of green crops ranks among the best and
most efficient for restoring the soil to its orgi
nal fertility.
1 am, sir, most respectfully your servant,
E. EMMONS