Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-01-31
farmnr's 9epartment,
From the Southern Agriculturist.
TALK UPON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECT

TALK UPON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS.
The condition of the Cultivated Soil of the
iSouta-As improvement ly Su6sotling.
We have spent the days since we last held
communion with our readers, in reflections up
on the best modes Of remedying the increasing
sterility of our cultivated soils. 1t is humilia-
ting in the extreme, to see no permanent fer
tility effected by improved methods of tillage
upon our plantations. It is true, there has
been some excitement concerning, and con-
siderable application of, imported fertilizers
among the cotton planters but this will result
in no enduring improvement Of the soil, for
the increased production will only serve to swell
the amount of the exported material taken
from our heece-bearing fields; whilst the prac-
tical operation Of skinning the soil will be in
creased in the same ratio We would gladly
see millions of tons of Guano applied to the
cotton fields of the South, if we could also
see introduced with this application, accompa-
nying systems of deep and thorough plowing
and subsoiling, so that whilst the stimulated
over production of the soil was yielding its re-
turns for the capital employed in the purchase
of fertilizers, some regard was paid to the for
nation of deep and perfectly pulverized soil,
upon which the planter could rely in coming
years. This alone can be effected by subsoil-
ing-and we say so confidently, because reason,
observation, and experience, point out this as
the only mode by which the desired ameliora-
ton and Improvement of most of our exhaust
ed soils can be accomplished We know that
we have prejudice, and ignorance, and that
sanctity which the tyranny Of ancient customs
always intrude upon what are termed innova-
tions to contend with in our recommendations,
but, nevertheless, it is our province to speak
and reason in advocacy of our system, based,
as it is, upon the most practical and convincing
foundation There has been progress in plow-
ing as well as in mechanics-and in planting
operations, the same. There is much to be
learned by those who consider themselves most
perfect.
Let us begin by statements of facts, and see
what unbroken ground we have upon which to
predicate our subsoiling operations. The av-
erage depth of the cultivated soils in the South,
is not three inches. Below this, in the lower
country, wherever there is not deep, under
lying stratum of sand, there is invariably bed
of hard-pan, which prevents the surplus water
from descending, and the roots of the cultiVa-
ted crops from penetrating. From the level
character Of this section the surplus water
does no damage by washing, but collecting in
partial indentations, forms ponds, scalded or
sour places, upon which nothing but unproft-
able plants of aquatic habits flourish. Upon
the more elevated portions of the country, the
disastrous effects of our sudden and violent
rains are more apparent; for the underlying
stratum being of stiff and compact clays, al
lows no precipitation of the surplus water,
which, not finding a road downwards to accom-
modateits natural specific gravity, rushes down
the inclinatioIs of the hills, and, swelling into
torrents in the vallies, sweeps off with each
rain, proportion of the soil and its fertilizing
constituents in solution, never to be returned
by the ordinary processes of nature, and but
too seldom by the assisting aids of man. A
soil naturally wet, IS well as one naturally dry,
is thus frequently surcharged with an amount
of water prejudicial to the production Of good
crops, from these Causes alone. The common
depth of the soil Is we have shown, is by far
too shallow to allow the roots of our cultivated
crops to penetrate oclow the influence of the
droughts of summe:, or our hot, dry tempera-
ture in the season of their growth The ex-
amples of alluvial or bottom land, where the
depth and permeability of the soil in all sea-
sons, exhibit growth superior to the other
classes of upland cultivated fields, shows what
we should attempt to make all our lands, and
what they could be made by proper operations
of subsoiling and manuring.
We have shown, in former article, the fact
that ammonia, the vital food of all plants, is
found in large quantities in rain water. We
have just said that superabundance of rain
water, when uncontrolled, works great des-
truction to our cultivated lands, by sweeping
off the pith-the marrow of our soils. What
would be the effect if we were to break up the
tenacious, impermeable, underlying 'ratum Of
clay-without turning up that clay to the sur
face-to the depth of one or two feet below
our cultivated soil, by the practicable opera
ton of the subsoil plow? Would not benefit
be derived by thus loosening the subsoil, so as
to allow the surplus surface water to descend,
to be held in reserve for the after requirements
of the crops, and at the same time storing up
precipitated ammonia and gradually enriching
that soil for after use? What would be the
atmospheric influence on the soil? The fire.
quent stirring of the soil is practical proof
that the free admission of air to the roots of
plants is of vital use to their accelerated
growth, and this fact, though not reflected on
by many of those who industriousy stir the
soil, is the secret of the true benefits derived
from frequent tillage. Airrises readily through
water, but it requires great power to force it
downwards. The loosening of the subsoil al
lows the penetration of the air to the lowest
limit to which the operation is carried and
this air there remains, until the atmospheric
change of temperature above the surface, by
natural laws, causes it to ascend, and it is at
this stage that it works its benefits upon the
crops, and in dry weather invigorates them by
furnishing to their delicate spongioles, or root
lets, the proper and invigorating food which it
yields to them We ask simple question, to
..ol,o o,,, ,oon;t;on oloor IN tho r,oct oir,p1o