Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-03-04

to which they plow their sward land for the
corn crop. This should depend somewhat
upon the quality Of the subsoil, and on the
depth of previous cultivation. The good
sense of most farmers is a sufficient guido
to direct them in this matter; but as gen
eral rule deep plowing increases the prodnc-
tive powers of most arabic soils, while shall
low cultivation will as surely impoveri<h
them and gradually produce sterIlty. 1t is
deep plowing and increased manuring that
generally pays the greatest profit for the
good reasons that land thus deeply pulvcr-
lied is much better prepared to imblbe aud
retain moisture and the ftrtiizing matters
brought to it by the rains, dews, and atmos-
pherc, than the shallow and badly piowcd
soil. The crop too, on the well and deeply
worked soil, will bear up under the effects
of our frequent summer droutbs, while those
on the shallow plowed field will be nearly
ruined for lack of moisture Reasoning
from observation and analogy, we do not
see why our common field crops may not
be as much benefited by deep and thorough
puvcrizaton, and liberal manuring Of the
soil, as the deep-rooted and other esculents
of the kitchen garden are.
Different soils require different treatment
in regard to the method of plowing, manu-
ring, and after cultivation, and We know of
no better way of deciding these questions,
than for each farmer to institute and carry
through i series of well conducted expert
ments in corn-growng. By so doing, each
may ascertain those systems Of cultivation
best adapted to his soil, or soils, if he his
different kinds.
There may be, for aught we know. sew
eral good ways OF applying manure for the
corn crop; but We are SLOW in believing
there arc half a dozen best ways in this
matter, especially for the same kind of soil.
We every year with 81 more or less of the
different methods of farming corn land
Mr.. i. in the spring carts all of his winter
manure from his yard and hovcl windows.
spreads it upon the green-sward, with a
good team aud plow turns it under eight
inches deep, plants his corn without apply
NO any manure to tn, surface or hill Mr..
b plows his grcen-sward in the autumn or
spring, carts Oh his green manure, spreads
and horrows it in as well .as he can, plants
his corn with perhaps Il little plaster Mr..
e. lets his winter made manure remain
about the barn through the summer; in the
fall carts it on the grecn-sward, spreads,
p'ows it under six to eight inches; i'll the
spring, harrows and plants; dropping Il
spoonful Of plaster i'll the hill. Mr.. d.
p!uws under coat of long manure in the
spring; applies il dressing of fine manure
to the inverted surface of the newly pluwcd
land, harrows well, and drops Il handful OF
rich manure in the hill at the time of plant
ing: and is generally satisfied with the re-
suit at harvest. Mr. L. lets his manure lay
over one year: then applies a shovcIIuI or
So to the hill, at the time Of planting. His
father did so before him, and he is content
to follow i'll the footsteps of his ilIuslrious
predecessor Mr. f. SONS oats the first
year un broken up land in the fall aT.
plies his manure to the stubblc ground and
pluws-ncXt spring again plows, and plants
with corn, and says he has easy hocing.
MeSSrs. 6. II. and !. always compost their
green manurcs with swamp muck, and other
natcrals-thcreby greatly increasing tho
quantity and value Of their manure heaps
The compost is used by these farmers ioI
ih2ir corn and other crops as their different
judgments or p'ciudiccs dictate; and last
though not least, Mr.. }. lets his manure It
main i'll the yard through the summer; ii
the fail carts it upon grass land, spreads it
and SO lets it remain till next spring; then
plows, horrows, and plants his corn, fully
satisfied it is the best way of managing.
When good practical farmers SO idciy
disagree in practice, who sha! decide? Gen
tIcmen, We respectfully decline acting as
:, umpire in this mattcr.-Country Gentle
man.