The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-28

and "a feet, till we come to point where
the decomposed rock differs but little in
constitution from such as is still solid. The
information afforded by such analysis would
be valuable. inasmuch as, amongst other
things, it would settle definitely the ques-
ton in relation to the safety of such kind
of deep ploughing. as shall bring the deep
subsoil to the surface, whilst that which
had been at the surface is buried where the
roots of plants will hardly reach it.
Most of the farmers whom I have the
honor to address know very well what is
meant by gully or CALLED place in field.
They are spots as unsightly, and uncom-
Portable, as those upon working animal,
from which the hair has been rubbed off,
and the skin chafed and fretted. until it has
become tender at least, if not sore. A per-
son unacquainted with farming who visited
a large field or farm, that was in this condi
ton, would be INCLINED perhaps to think
very highly of it. The sides and bottoms
of the gnllics and washes, would be seen to
have rich, ruddy color-the earth itself to
be tolerably mellow and pliable. will
turn in there, he would say, with good
sharp, heavy pillow, break it up well, and
show these stupid farmers how to raise corn.
And those same farmers whom he charac
ttrizes as so stupid may be expected to
watch with some degree Of malicious pleas
ure the result of his operations. Such gull
lied and CALLED places, if not absolutely i'm
medcable and incurable, are exceedingly
difficult to be nursed into fertility. Differ
ences unquestionably there will be in differ
ent places and counties; depending upon
the kind of rock that underlies them. I
am speaking Of what is most common and
general. AnC we can see the reason why
these things are. The surface that is in
these cases exposed, has been previously
plundered and stripped of its potassa, soda,
lime and phOsphoric acid, by the trees
which once grew just above it, whom there
! was Il soil above it and now that the ele-
ments Of fertility have been taken away,
we need hardly wonder that it is barren.-
The sandstone that lies east and south of
the University has extensive and valuable
low grounds along the streams which flow
through it. When these are cleared and
brought under cultivation, it sometimes hap
pens that particular part, which produced
we'll al first. is so situated that high fresh
cts, as they occur, sweep off the whole of
its upper surface or soil The subsoil which
is thus uncovered and brought up to the
light of day, has about as inviting an APP
pearance as the rest of the field; in color
texture, and other sensible properties, it
seems to be in no degree inferior. Yet
while those other parts are beautiful with
luxuriant crops, upon the washed portion,
even the weeds and wild grasses will hard
ly take the trouble Of establishing them
selves. No amount of culture-meaning
by this simple stirring of the ground
will render them productive. They must
have added to them those elements of fertili-
ty of which they have long ago been de-
prived.
1t will be understood that 1t is my pur-
pose to compare the chemical constitution
of the surface soil only with that of the
subsoil through few feet below, as far
with that of the earth which has resulted
from the decomposition Of tho rocks at the
depth of 25 or 30 feet. This last may be
superior in its adaptation to the nourish
ment of vegetables to the surface soil; so
that if layer of earth two feet in thick
ness, could be brought at once to the sur
face, from that depth, throughout the whole
of Wake county it would be rendered so far
as its capabilities for agriculture are con-
cerned, a richer county than it is now
Some experiments on the earth brought up
from the bottoms of deep wells, upon the
discussion of which have uot time to en-
ter now, have seemed to point in that direc-
ton, and to warrant the belief that in some
future, Gerry remote, ago, men may be driven
to the task of tunnelling the hills, to de-
rive from them the means of providing for
themselves-the necessaries of life-that
they will then mine to obtain virgin soil,
as they now do for silver and gold.
My main object has been to show that
the operation of hillside ditching (already
in use amongst many of our planters and
farmers) is as reasonable and sound in theo-
~ as it is found to be beneficial in practice:
and to recommend its adoption by all whose
lands are in any considerable degree rolling
or broken. My object has been to
benefit little, if l could. the masSes-to
call their attention to the means of transmit
ting to the next generation the soil of North
Carolina, little if at all injured by the cul-
ture to which we have subjected it.
And having ventured to point out the
duties of such as farm in small way as
we'll as of others, may I also be INDUCED in
a suggestion in a single particular for their
benefit in relation to the prizes that
from year to year to be adjudged here for
excellencieS of any kind. That their effect
be to call into existence the exact kind of