The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-11-12

.@ - BURIAL 9s0N0lgs
May your rich soil,
] Exubcrani, natures's better blessings pour
| Der every land"
HILL SIDE DITCHING-HoR
/ LAND.
| Editor Southern Cuifivator As requested
by you and promised by me, now, after
some delay, attempt to give you in detail, my
system Of hill side ditching and horizontal
culture. And by the expression "my sys-
tem," &C., do not wish to be understood as
claiming originality, for ! confess with much
pleasure, that have studied with much care,
The various systems as given in Southern
agricultural journals, and have by practical
experiment, demonstrated the value Of the
most Of them. And my study and practice
has settled me in the conviction that the
system now practice is the most to be relied
on in the Southern States.
Ihanhill sdeditchinga horizontal culture
there is no subject Of more grave Importance
| to the Southern Agriculturst. To keep land
from washing, should and must be the first
step towards improvement and so far as
know, this fact is acknowledged by every.
body. But the question in the minds Of many
seems TO be, can il be done? And the fact
is TO be regretted, but is nevertheless true,
that many Of Us, instead Of experimenting on
/ this subject, and convincing ourselves and
the sgriculturist whether or not the hills of
the South may be saved and thus benefit our
race, We notice with skeptic's eye the labor
Of others aud not unfreqnently express our
doubts as TO the utility Of the operation.
And If it is conceded by all, which is Ger.
tainly the case, that the hills Of the South
can alone be reclaimed by keeping the soil
where natures God placed it. il follows that
every system which promises, to any extent,
that result, should receive the most respect
iul attention.
Il ! despise from nv heart nf hearts, the
disposition that seems to be inherent in the
very nature of some folks, which prompts
them TO conjure Up difficulties and cast them
in the way Of every improvement. They do
not intend TO make any Improvement them
selves, and they glory in rdiculing the man
tha. dues. They had rather be on earth and
cry /" hombug." than TO be in heaven aud cry
/" holy art Thuu," &c.
II Bot apart iram this unpleasant considera-
ton:
To give a correct idea of nv system Of
litching and horizontal culture, ] shall have
10 do that which has been often done, name
", give description Of the inplement with
which the work is performed. ! use the
rafter level, with spirit level attached. and
il is graded in The following way: When
made il should spread l2 feet, and be placed
on a level floor, then mark across the center
of the bubble in the spirit level. then reverse
the compass, or rafter level, aud mark again
: as before. The center between these marks
: gives the dead level. You will then move
the compass, until the bubble stands at the
center. and on level, then place an incl
block under one end Of the compass. and make
a mark accross the phial az The end of the
bubble next TO the centre, then raise another
inch and mark as before, and 50 on, until yOu
raise three inches iall
Then get basket Of inch pins and you
are ready for the field.
Before yau commence ditching take gen.
1 eraI survey or the ground you intend 10 ditch
y and determine in your mind as near as mas
: be, the distance the bitches should be apart,
= &c.
Then place your compass near the top Of lL'
hill where your land commences TO wash, ant
move the front end until the end of the bub
: bic falls to the two inch mark, and make the
boy with his basket or sack Of pins ,lriv,
down pin n each end Of the compass. Ther
mn,e The hind rnd where the front end was
and move the front end until the bubble rise
10 the two inch mark again, and drive down
a pin as before, and 80 on until your ditch j.
located. After which take two.hUrse pluv
aud throw lurrow slice down hill, plowin;
up the pins, and repeat the pl0wing three %
four times, and clean out with hoes. Tit
ditch should be about two feet wiIe, ant
: slipped downMards TO the upper bank, 80 tina
the water may have a hard bank 10 ruI
against below, and thus lessen the chance o
breaking over. &c.
Tie distance oI the second ditch from III,
first, must be determined BY The apparatus
!. No definite rule can be given, as that will lie
Il pend upon the decliyity Of the hill. and th
tolunc Of water 10 be conveyed out ut III
e field. Il sliunld be close enough, howeyer
y TO catch the water that lalls below the uppe
ditch before il accumulates enough TO wash
and 50 with all the other bitches.
Alter the fch is thus ditched. lay o.
guide rOws--onc or two between each ditch
y and perfectly level. These guide rows vii
= cross The bitches about half way out. You
y guide rows all laid uii. you will ,hcn bring Tou
y good plOwmen il the field, with agood siea,
rs mule or horse each. IL your rows are to b
y. four feet apart, tic light pole eight feet Ion
y 10 the bits Of the bridle Of one u the mnlcl
= and make boy walk parallel to the mule 1
!" :. the upper guide row aud a plou benin
throwing Out, which makes your rows pre-