Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-01-20

fingers only IN the moist SuDSOlI, sHH-.no.Sn ny
farmer NAV not be delayed in his abors-the subsoii
renels the approach of the roots of his grain, and
compels them 10 seek their nourlshment from the sur,
face soil only But remove the waters and the SOIL
becomes dry 10 a great depth. The AR penetla'eS
and difnses itself wherever the waters have Oeen'
The roots now freely and safely descend into the al
mos, virgin soil beneath. And not only have they a
larger surface through which to send their hores In
search of food but in this hitherto ungenlal soil they
find store of substances-but sparingly present, u
may be, in the soil above-which thu ng-contnueo
washing of the rains, or the demands OF frequent
crops, NAV have removed, but which may have been
all the time accommodating in the subsol, INTO winch
the roots of cultivated plants could rarely with safety
descend It is not wonderful, then, that the economl-
cal effects of draining should be found by practical
men to be not only diminution OF the cost OF cult
vation but considerably augmented produce, also,
both in corn and grass that this increased pro-
duce should alone be found sufficient TO repay the
entire cost of thorough draining IN two or tnree years
can obvious practical suggestion arises out OF the
knowledge of this fact. The deeper the dralns pro-
vtded the ,rater haze still ready escape, the greater
tine depth of soil which is rendered available for the
purpose of vegetable nutrition. Deep rooted plants,
such lucerne often fail, IN moderately deep
soils because of water, or the presence OF
some noxous ingredient which deep drains would re-
move prevent their natural descent in search OF food
Even plants which, like that of wheat clover, do
not usually send down, their roots SO far, will yet
where the subso is sound and dry, extend their bres
for three feet DEPTH in quest OF more abun-
dant nourishment.
the subso plough without the chance of injury, not
only are they less liable to be chOked up by the ac
cumulaed roots of plants which naturally make their
way into them in search OF wafer but they also in
the value and permanent fertility OF the land
by increasing it's available depth In other words,
that kind of drainage which is most efficiently per-
formed with regard to the greatest number OF con-
tngences, will not only be the most permanent but
will also be followed by the greatest number of eco
nomcal advantages.
80. Nor do the immediate and practical benefits of
draining end with the attainment OF these beneficial
results Ii is not till the land is rendered dry that
the skfu and enterprising farmer has fair field on
which to eXpend his exertions. In wet soils, bones
wood ashes rapedust, nitrate of soda, and other ar
tifcia manures, are almost thrown away. Even lime
exhibits only onehalf of It's ertiZing virtue where
water is allowed TO stagnate in the soil. Give him
dry fields 10 work upon, and the we-nstruced agrl-
cuturst bring all the resources, as we'll or mod
ern science as OF old experience to bear upon them
with fair chance of success The dsappolnnens
which the holder of undrained land so often meets
with, he will less frequently experience. An adequate
return will generally be obtained for his expenditure
in manuring and otherwise improving his soil, and
he will thus be encouraged to proceed IN deVollng his
capital to the permanent ameliora:ion of his farm.
| 40. He who drains and thus improves his own
land, conlers benefit upon his neighbors also. In
the vicinity of wet and Doggy lands, the hopes of the
industrious farmer often disappointed. Msts are
frequent, and rains abundant the edge of the
moor, and mill-dew retard the muturity, and often
seriously injuTe the crops. OF undraned land, IN
general the same is true to less extent and the
presence of one unmproved property in the centre of
enterprising district, may long withhold from the
adjoining farms that full measure of benefit which
the money and skille expended upon them, would in
other circumstances have Immediately secured.
IL. | would not here willingly neglect TO call your
LAT n a hlohor benefit
drainage of an extensive district is fitted to confer
upon lis population. Not only is this drainage equva-
lent as above stated, to change of climate in refer
to the growth and ripening of plants, but it is
also in reference the general health Of the people,
and to the number and kind of the diseases TO which
they are observed to be exposed
" may quote, in illustration of this fact, the inter-
esting observations of Dr. Wilson, on the compare
tive state of health of the laboring population in the
District OF Keso during the last two periods of ten
years. In his excellent paper on this subject in the
Quarterly Journal Of agriculture, (vo Kill p. 37, }
he has shown that fever and ague, which formed
nearly half of all the diseases OF the population
during the fOmer zen years have almost wholly dis
appeared during the latter ten, consequence of the
general extension of efficient drainage throughout
the country; while al the same time, the fatality OF
disease, or the comparative number OF deaths from
every hundred cases of serious aiment, has dimn-
shed in proportion of 4,6 to 2.59. Such beneficial
results, though not Immediately sought for by the
practical farmer, yet the inevitable consequence oil
his successful exertons Apart, therefore, from mere
considerations of pecunary profit, desire 10 promote
the general comfort and happiness of the entire IN
habitants of district, may fairly influence the pos
SCISSORS of land to promote this method of ameliora
ting the soil while the whole people, on the othe
hand, of whatever class, ought gratefully to acknow
edge the value of those Improvements which at once
render homes more salubrious and our fields
more fruitful"
WINTER PLouGH1NG-We renew our advice t.
a. LAM into f0rS Tim
every occasion throughout the winter, but do no
plough when the ground is wet.
1t is opportune here to state, that if such land
need lining, a better time cannot be for applying
lime or mari top dressing after the ploughing
shall have been completed, to be narrowed in in tn
spring.
SURFACE DRArNs.-Atend to the surface drains il
your grain fields; have all impediments to the FREE
passage of the water removed.
Mich Cows--These animals should be cleane
twice day. morning and night, be regularly fed tire
times day with mixture of cur hay fodder O.
straw and some succulent food either in the shap
OF meal, bran, corn and cCb-meal, roots of SOM
kind they should be watered thriee day, be bed
ded at ght-in the stable or under comfortable
dry shed, and receive two of salt, or a,
equal quantity of salt, ashes. and oyster shell lin
twice week
IN-CALF Cows AND HEIFERs.-In- calf COWS which
have gone dry, should be protected by good shelte
from the weather, receive three feeds day of goo
hay. until within three weeks of their time of cav
ing. when in addition to their long feed, they shout
receive succulent messes the same as mich cows
The incalf heifers should receive similar treatment
Both should have access to yard for exercises -
would be the better of being curried and hrushe
down twice day, and should twice week, receiv
the allowance of salt, SALT ashes and oyster.she
e lime mixture recommended for mich cows.
CoLTs AND YOUNG CArrLE.-If YOU desire YOU
Is To md hou f,I1,.