The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-08-24

and lightly narrowed In, but as lime is not
easily obtained, it would be more advisable
and economicable to have ashes (unleached)
ospread on these soils, or barn yard manure
turned under with turnover plough during
winter, rs the essential oils will have time
to be absorbed by the clay Ms they are given
out by the decomposition of the manures
and not evaporate as they would later in the
season when The suns rays become hotter
IL may here be asked when ought lime to
be applied! What are its effects on the
soil! And how does it assist the growth of
crops! Lime should be applied rs long rs
possible before you plant the crop you wish
benefited, tor its action is necessarily slow
as it has not only to undergo great chemi-
cal change ITSELF but II has to produce chemi-
cal changes in the soil to which it is applied.
1t you intend manuring your land it should
be applied year before or year after the
nanuring. 1t opens and renders freer the
stiff clayey soils, (but it is often injurious to
the light sandy soilsD thereby Increasing
their fertility. Such soil in this District are
generally deficient in lime, but it more espe-
cially adds to the productveness of these
soils when they are moist and con tain most
vegetable matter. II assists the growth of
crops by killing some sour plants, viz, such
rs are natural to silicious soils and moist
mnrshy places, and promotes the growth of
such rs are sweet and tender, for It Is an ad-
mitted fact that fodder or grass grown on lime
lands is sweeter, soundcr and more nour-
ishing than that grown on lands deficient in
lime. Our largest crops Of corn arc pro-
duced in the limestone regions, or on lands
that are well lined. Wheat s not only pro-
duced in larger quantities, but will yield more
flour to the bushcl. Potatoes will be more
mealy, and turnips larger and Of better H.-
vor. Cotton natures faster on lime lands
than on those unlimed. For instance, on Mis-
sissippi lands in the same latitude with Lam
caster, they commence picking sooner and
pick more to the acre than We do. 1t adds
to health by arresting The noxious cffluvia,
dccomposcs them and compcls them to un-
dcrgo chemical combinations which arc no
longer delitci ous 10 animal life.
The next two classes Of soil may be treated
toge,hcr,i. e. clay loan and loamy soil. these
may be found almost anywhere in Lancaster
District. Barnynrd manure and the turning
IN of green crops, together with rotation Of
crops is the best plan of Improving these
soils, they generally have good clay foun-
dation, consequently the manure should be
covered deep rs possible with large turn
ing Plow during the winter, the green crops
should &c tnrncd under in September and
October The pea vine is believed TO be our
best green crop for this purpose, tho rot,-
'ion best adopted 10 improvement is corn.
cotton, small grain the lands not to bc pas
mrca, for farmer By following this plan
will make more of an acre than hi, stock
can possibly get off his pasture, not calcul.,-
ting the deterioration Of land thereby.
The next: n sandy loan much freer and
more easily cultivated soil, lvtrt il not no re-
tcntivc OF manure, AZ the two former In
the management Of this soil, deep and thor
"'b" P'"""'B 70 'eScSTsiIy 70 uBh the upper
and subsoil together, for ebay suh.oi mixed
with the sand above is believed to Be n Fo,d
manure of itself. The mannrins of this ssil
should be much lighter, than ibe sitter soils.
as tho subsoi is not so rctcntivc, but suffers
much Of the best qualities Of manure to pass
down through it by Pcrcola,ion during rsiny
seasons and during the hot dry season rsdia.
ton goes ON SO very inpidly that manure,
from these two causes, is generally exlr,ust-
cd the first season. Green vegetable manure
would much benefit this soil il well turned
under. Caustic lime will have no percep,ible
benefit on this soil. If lime is applied, il
should he well mixed with compost previous
To its applicatioH. Tho last classification
(sandy s"il0 is generally worthless except
for health, see our barren sand hills.
The best soil for all agricultural proposes
is a soil containing from 10 TO 60 per rent. of
sand. ...-.. ''ff
IMPROVEMENT.