Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-11-25

ON THE PREPARATION OF NEW GROUNDS,
Condensed and adapted to the climate from the
Horticultmtst, by WIN. BEAL, for the "Lo"-
don Free Press"
6coNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
Next to draining comes the process of deep
ening by trenching or sub-soil blowing. This
is an operation of the utmost Importance in all
soils and situations In this country we are
subject in summer to severe protracted drouths,
during which trees, plants, or grass, on shall
low soil can barely sustain feeble existence.
In small places trenching is preferable, and for
The fruit and kitchen garden we would recon-
mend it in all cases. 1t is the true way to give
the soil thorough and permanent deepening.
1t is not merely an additional depth we gain by
9renching; it also enables surplus moisture to
pass off freely into the drains, and keeps the soil
sweet and prous. A short time ago gentle
man said to us: 81 have made up my mind that
it is perfectly idle to attempt making lawn, or
to effect Iuxuriant growth of trees in untrench-
ed SOIL have tried to do it for seven years,
and during all that time had the modification
TO see my grass nearly die out every summer,
and the trees grow by inches instead of feet
He finally made up his mind to try what effect
trenching would have, and has now the satisfac-
ton to see his trees grow vigorously, and his
lawn as green as etnrald in the dryest times
"Now,r he says, II advise every man to trench
Every experienced cultivator knows well the
advantages of deep soil. No where is its eff
fects more obvious than on the lawn. In our
own grounds one portion of a small plot was
trenched deeply before it was seeded, and it re-
ifoices in the deepest verdure in all weathers;
another portion was not trenched, and when a
month or six weeks of dry weather comes, as
it did this season, it turing as brown as sole
leather Trenching with a spade to the depth
of eithteen or twenty inches is somewhat costly
and therefore, when large tract is to be i'm
proved, the sub-soil pillow can be used. This
answers every purpose, unless when the ground
is so strong that it is impossible to keep the
pillow in the ground. The proper way to sub-soil
effectually is, to have the common plow 60 first
and turn deep and wide furrow; then let the
sub-soil follow in the same furrow with not less
than four oxen or horses. In preparing stiff
soils we would advise two such plowings as this,
one crossing the other; and it should be done
late in the autumn or early in spring, while the
subsoil is saturated with moisture; at dry sea-
son of the year it is impossible.
Next comes manuring; and in this let there be
no stinginess. Whoever contemplates the i'm
provement of ground should begin early to pre-
pare manures and composts, for this cannct De
done in a few days OF weeks. It should be pre-
pared year beforehand, so as to be well de-
composed and thoroughly mixed in order that it
may not fill the land with all manner of noxious
weeds. We would spread it over the surface
and pillow or spade it down in the autumn, so
that it may become properly Incorporated with
the soil during the subsequent working. The
needful quantity of manure will, of course, vary
according to the natural fertility and condition
of the soil. In some cases, two inches deep
spread evenly over the surfaced may be sufficient
in others, twice that would scarcely suffice. AT
all events, be LIBERAL
Our purpose at present is not 50 much to
treat of these primary groundworks through the
detail OF practice, as to urge the necessity of
making them the foundation of all improve
ments. We hope We may never again hear it
said, will plant my trees now and improve the |
grounds afterwards, as l have leisure. Would |
1t not be as wise to say, l will erect my house
now, and hereafter, when l have leisure, will !
die the cellars and construct the foundations?
The pleasures of dwelling depend material
" on the comfort and beauty which the gar
dens and grounds afford; and when they are
neglected, or so mismanaged as to afford Meth
err beauty or comfort the great aim OF cullva-
ted ground is gone. The growth OF taste VIII,
we trust soon bring about state OF things IN
which men will not spend their thousands OF do''
lars freely on house, and hundred grudglng-
y on the garden.
From the Patent Office Report, for 1872.
Directions for Sugar curing Meat-Formu-
la for 100 pounds. Take q pounds of pure
salt; ounces saltpetre, and 4 pounds of brown
sugar. Mix the salt and saltpetre, and with it