The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-11-05


are liberated and mingled with the top soil.
They are likely to be dissolved again to a
certain extent by the rains that fall. some
part of them is carried off to the ocean and
irretrievable lost, some issoaked and sinks to
certain distance into the ground, hut large
part remains at or near the surface. helping
to constitute what we call the soil. The
principle for which am conteuding is sim
/ ply one that is well understood by many
persons, but not brought out with the distinct
ness in which, from its importance, it merits
| to be placed. That the soil from the course,
and in consequence Of the events and chan
ges bv which it has been formed, is necessa-
rily richer in the elements Of fertility than
the subsoil, and that the existing upper soil is
therefore to be retained in its position BY all
the decent and honest methods we can employ.
Amongst these hillside ditchingandh horizontal
ploughing appear to me to hold the first place.
The deep subsoil has been in course Of i'm
poyerishment and the suriace soil in course
of enrichment for ages, and what the final re-
suits of such process are likely to be, Isup.
pose it requires not the wisdom ola Solomon
To determine and decide. What we need at this
time, as itappears to me. more than anything
else, in agricultural chemistry, is, a long Sc.
ries of analyses, extending not literally but
vertically, not an account of the composition
of a parcel of soil taken in Edgeeombe, and
Of another from Rowan but the same thing
for parcels from different depths. Suppose
deep well to be dug here in Raleigh, and
the earth examined, which is taken, at the
surface, at the depths OF 4, 8, IL, Is. 90, and
"a feet, till we come tn point where the
decomposed rock differs but little in consti-
tuition from such as i still solid. The infor.
nation afforded BY such analyses would be va
liable, inasmuch as, amongst other things. it
would settle definitely the question in rela-
ton to the safety of such kind OF deep plough
ing, as shall bring the deep subsol TO the
surface, whilst that which had been at the
surface il buried where the roots Of plants
will hardly reach it.
Most Of the farmers whom have the hon
or to address know very well what is meant
By gully or CALLED place in field. This
last name i well applied. They are spots
as unslghtly, and uncomfortable. as those
upon working animal, from which the hair
has been rubbed oft, aud tie skin chafed
and tretted, until il has become tender at
least, II mt sore. person unacguainted
with farming, who visited large field or
farm, that was in this condition. wonld be
inclined perhaps to think very highly Of il.
The sides and bottoms 81 the gnllies and wash
es, would be seen to have rich, ruldy CO.
lar--the earth itself to be tolerahly mellow
and pliabe. will turn in there, he would
say, witha sharp heavy pillow. break ilup we'll
and show these stupid farmers how to raise
corn. And those same farmers whom he
characterized as 50 stupid NAV be expected
to watch with some degree OF malicious plea.
sure the result Of his operations. Such gull
lied and CALLED places. il not absolutely i'm
metlicable and incurable, are exceedingly
difficult 10 be nnrsed into fertility. Diffrren-
ces unquestionabIy there will be in different
places and counties; depending upon the kind
oil rock that underies them. | am speaking
oil what is most common and general. And 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 potash, soda. line and phnsphoric acid,
BY the trees which once grew just abuye it,
when there was soil above IL and now that
the elements OF fertility have been taken away,
W HGFh nVHhtl wat ~ - DdIlFu.
I The sandstone that lies east and south Of the
University has extensive and valuable low
grounds along the streams which flow through
II. When these are cleared and brought IN
der cultivation, il something's happens that a
particular part, which produced we'll at first.
j. 81 situated that high frrshets, as thew &C.
cur, sweep of the whole nf its upper surface
or suil The sUbsoil which is thus uncover
ed and brought up To the light Of dav, has
about as inviting an appearance as the rest
Of the field 10 col1r, texture, and other sem
sble properties, il seems 10 be 10 no degree
inferior. Yet willie those other parts are
beautiful with luxnriant crops, upon he
washed portion. even the weeds and Wild
grasses will hardly take the trouble If estab-
fishing themselves. No amount Of culture
mesnlng By this a simple stirring Of the
ground-wil render them productive. They
mUsthayc added tnthem those elements Ul fer
tility q which they have long agp been de-
prited.
Il will be understood that il is my purpose
10 compare the chemical constitution 81 the
surface soil ouly with that oI the subspil
through fes leet below. ~ a. lar As tie
rnuts 81 the forest trees reach, mt with that
II the earth which has resulted from the
decomposition Of the rocks at the depth
u % or 30 feet. This last may be superior
IN IL adaptation to tie nourishment pf yege
tables 10 the surface snil 50 that If a layer
II earth two feet IN thickness, could be
brought at once 10 the surface, from that
depth. throughout the whole 81 Wake county,
il would be rendered 20 far ~ lis eapabiIi-
ties fur agriculture are concerned, richer
county than il is now. Some experiments
% the earth brought up from the bottom.
u deep wells, upnn the discussion IL which
] have not time 10 enter now, have seem.
ed TO point in that direction, aud to war.
rant the belief that IN spme future. rtry re.