The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1855-06-27


shall be solved, we may look for another re-
voluton in agriculture. In the mean time,
il will be amss to revert to the princi.
pies On which the alternating system is bas-
ed, that we may know at least Just where we
are at present and see that we make the best
use OF the lights we already have. These
principles as laid down by GhaptaI, are
-. All plants exhaust the soil.
"2. All plants do not exhaust the soil G.
quaIly.
IS. Plants Of different kinds do not ex>
haust the soil in the same manner"
"a. all plants do not restore to the soil,
the same quantity or quality Of manure"
-. All plants do not feed the soil equal
ly."
From these principles he draws the follow
ing conclusions:
81. That, however well prepared a soil
may De, IT cannot nourish long succession
OF crops without being exhausted"
-. Each harvest impoverishes the soil
to certain extent, depending upon the de-
gree OF nourishment which it restores to the
EARTH"
80. The cultivation of spindle roots ought
to succeed that Of running and superficial
roots"
-. II is necessary to avoid returning too
soon to the cultivation Of the same or to ana
logous kind of vegetables in the same SOIL"
-. II Is very unwise to allow two kinds
of plants which admit Of the ready growth Of
weeds among them to be raised in success
sion."
sc. Those plants which derive their prin.
r,nal H. Il
sown, except when the soil is sufficiently
provided with manure"
~. When the soil exhibits symptoms Of
exhaustion from successive harvests, the cul-
tivation Of those plants that restore most to
the soil must be resorted TO-"
The alternating system is based upon these
principles, and is economical and profitable
in proportion as il adheres to them. 1t as
sumes, that all plants drawing more or less
nourishment from the soi, the soil must be
occasionally replenished with supplies of ma
nure. A certain class of plants called c,.lnli-
ferrous are supposed most rapidly to exhaust
supplies-this class embraces wheat, rye,
oats, barley, indian corn, cotton, SC. They
are particularly exhausting while maturing
their seeds. A judicious system should moi
allow these crops to follow each other closely
or frequently, and the common practice Of
cultivating Indian corn, wheat and oats, in
quick succession is only allowable on lands
cf high character, and when the invaluable
fqJ@resof the clover crop are faithfully used
as an improyer.
Another class Of plants, hguminons, EN-
brace, strictly speaking, only peas, beans and
pulse, but for convenience are made TO in
clude all those which are usually called ame-
liorating, but more properly less exhausting.
These plants are less exhausting, because some
Of them draw supplies Of nourshment from
lower stratum Of soil than that trayersed BY
the roots Of wheat, corn, &c.-their long tap
roots running deep into the soil. Some be.
cause their broad leaves exposed to the at.
mosphere draw from il portion Of their
nourishment Some because they shade the
soil and all, because ordinarily they do not
90 10 seed. The clover is the most amelio-
rating, because il combines all these qualities
/ TO a greater degree than any other, except
perhaps the field pea. These plants requir-
ing also, the most Of them, deep and thorough
/ cultivation, aud their roots penetrating deep
/ ily-amellurate the soil in this manner.
The alternating system is not complete,
and answers by no means the ends Of which
il is capable, without the introduction of the
cultivated grasses. They are cultivated al
very little cost--they enlarge the variety Of
/ the plants. aud promote the economy Of plant
feeding. They cover the soil, protecting it
! from the waste Of the sun aud frost. Their
roots accumulate in the soil large supply
OF mould Tor future use. And they afford
much material Tor manure. Thus supplying
al cheap rate several important requisites
Of complete sy stem Of alienation. As our
agriculture improves, there is no doubt, it
will embrace much more extended cultiya-
tion Of Of the grasses.
The researches Of science are throwing
much light upon facts long familiar to intel.
/ lgent observers. While these latter had oh.
served that different classes Of plants ex.
hausted the soil in different degrees, and that
where tile soil refused to grow those Of one cha
racter, another sort might still be prOftably
cultivated; the facts are accounted for IN the
analysis Of the ashes Of these plants. These
analyses distinctly show the different degrees
/ in which different substances are consumed
by plants. The grains of all kinds show a
very large per centage on phosphoric acid,
equal to nearly one-half Of the amount Of ash
Ia large per cenlagc Of potash aud msgne.
sia, aud the straw silica to a large amount.
i The ash Of potatoes, turnips aud plants Of
that character, give potash 10 much larger
amount than the former, phosphoric acid aud
magnesia in smaller amounts. but more lime
aud sulphuric acid. Hay gives on analysis
more lime than the others much potash though
less than the others, and much silica. The