Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-08-26
A G RIG l. U R A l..
Mulching Tested.

MUlcu1uS A6SL6U' W
We have elsewhere directed attention to
the communication recommending mulch =
ing as a mode of improving land, and. as
far as practicable, of raising crops. We
have since observed a communication in
the Tennessee Farmer, stating that the wri-
ter tried it last year on corn With the most
satisfactory result: He planted a small
piece CT poor ground, after having first
broken it up well. The rows three feet
the drill. When the corn had about four
blades, the young grass completely cover
ed the ground, and the corn was turning
yellow. He spread small quantity of sta
BILE manure around the corn, aud covered !
the whole ground 3 or 4 inches deep with
leaves from the forest, taking care to do
this when the ground was wet, and the
leaves also, leaving the tops of the young
corn uncovered. In ten days, there was
not a particle of living grass to be found,
and the corn had put on that deep green
which always denotes a healthy condition.
From the day of planting, nothing more
was done to the corn ; and the result was a
product at the rate of fOrty-two bushels to
the acre.
In the course of the summer, the follow
|, ing facts were noted First, the corn trea-
: ted thus was always ahead of some planted
, along side of it, and cultivated in the usu-
al way. Second. It ripened at least ten
, days sooner than other corn planted at the
same time. The hottest and driest DAYS
the blades never twisted up, as did other
: corn in the neighborhood. Fourth. In
the driest weather, on removing the leaves,
4 the ground was found to be moist so the
q surface, and loose as deep as it had been
+. first broken up. Fifth. The heaviest rains
had scarcely any effect in washing away
the soil or making it hard.
The Soil of the South illustrates the ad
n vantage of covering the ground, in the re
mark that 'the native forests mulch them
selves, and we see how rank and vigorou
they grow. Those who mulch properly &C
10 tually save time and labor, for when it i
well done, the labor is done for the year
and the soil is all the time being enriched
it as the plant grows and p~erfeets ITSELF
Therefore we say to the orchardist, mule
" around your fruit trees to the vine grow
er, mulch around the grape vines to tn
gardener, mulch among the vegetables t
our fair lady florists, mulch amons tn
flowers and to the farmers, try mulchin
nd among the corn.-Arator.
The CULTURE OF THE TURNIP.-Th
a.. Turnip, taking all Its varieties, is one
the most Important garden or field Gro,
i. Of the South. When the summer garde
~ has been burned up with drouth, a fall an
winter crop of turnips will maze amen,
MI for much of the loss. A turnip to be swe
and good, should be grown quick, Their
az fore it is important to know what varieti
~ mature the qickest. The early v~arietie
Which are usually planted in the sprin
-, if planted the first of this month will
~ fit for the table in five to six weeks fro
-, planting, We would recommend the E;
~ ly Strap Leaf and early White Dutch
the best for early fall planting All g
.na den culture of turnips should be in drill
The turnip patch can hardly be too rie
spade or pillow the manure In deeply, a
-. SOW the seed very thin in drills. Nc
than half of the whole crop of turnips
lost throughout the country, by too thi
planting. The Rutabaga should also
ont planted now. 1t wants the same cultu
.IA but still thinner growing. We are aw'
s sT that this is generally considered a Il
y" crop, and only ft for stock, but they are
reality a more delicate dish for the tai
than the common white turnips, be
more sugary, and afording green's u
late in the spring, which are altoget
superior to ~coilards. The last of the NOR
| Red Tons and English Norfolks, with
lng.' own domestic seeds, may be sown.
I'D fresh, rich land, we would recommend
O' English NOrfolks as producing hne b'
and immense tops. Cotton Planter
~ Soil.
Mr.. To destroy Chinch Bugs.-The II
Now, borough Recorder states that a farme
that vicinity has used strong soap-sl
snce. with complete success, in destroying Chi
hnOn