The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-02-04
REcLAlMING OLD FIELDS.

Long-Crcek, N. c., Dec. 2O,h, 1856.
To the Editor Of the Arator
Dear Sir: Enclosed is my subscription to
The Arator.
have recently purchased about one hun
dred acres oI land adjoining my premises,
which design experimenting in the way Of
farming. This land is Of clay subsoil--a
little sandy in spnts, and was once under cui-
tivation. but nov entirely grown up in old
field pines. intend 10 cut these down this
winter--let them lay until spring twelve
months--then lime freely and turn under
with heavy two-horse plow. desire Of you
some inflammation about applying the lime :
How much it will take per acre. How TO ap-
ply il, and the quality oflime? After this ex-
pect to manure with mud and lime--as there
is a tidewater creek surrounding the place,
with plenty Of rich mud not more than a
quarter Of a mile to hand. Any additional
Information will be gladly received.
Yours respectfully,
Il. II. WILLIAMS.
.7nswer 10 the Enquiries Of Mr.. UfHiams
--ln the first place, we would cut up and heap
all the small underground, and then turn un-
der the pine straw which has accumulated on
the surface. with any kind Of plow that would
do the work effectuaIly. Next. we would put
on 10 bushels Of lime TO tI,c acre, and then
cut down the trees intended to lie on the
ground. After finally clearing up for culti-
vation, we would pIow again with two
horse turning pillow followed by a subsoier or
coulter in the same furrow ;and then the first
year, SOW the field in peas broadcast, which
should be covered with culiivator, or, very
shallow. with coulter. We would follow this
Immediately with another dose Of 10 bushels
oi lime TO the acre upon the peas. The lime
may be Of stone or shell, fresh Stacked with
salt water; and, in the absence Of machine,
must be sown with the hand, as seed are
sown broadcast, as evenly as possible, and
narrowed in. In September, we would turn
under the crop Of pea vines and IN 0ctober
sow wheat or Winter Oats on the land put
from so 10 100 bushels Of wood ashes TO the
acre after plowing IN the grain aud harrow,
after sowing Tie ashes, until they were in.
timately mixed with the surface; whicI
would leave the soil infinitely divided ant
smoothly ironed of.
Experience, we believe, has proved thai
lime is must proftably applied. repeatedly
in small quantitics-say l2 to 25 bushels pei
acre, from year to year. until 50 70 l0t
bushels are applied 70 the acre AID that !
should generally be applied 50 as TO lie
while on, or near tie surface, before it i
/ turned under.
Creek or River mud or muck should b.
deposited over the land in convenient heap
for distribution, and there permitted to re
main a month or two; and II it be intende'
TO mix lime with il, a week or two befor
sprc ading. the heaps should be shoyeled owe
and The lime sprinkled over thin layers q
the muck. until each heap is evenly surcharg
ed with its proper proportion, and neatl
done ~ in such manner AS TO turn tn
water. At the end of a week, it NAV b
turned again TO mix. aud then spread broad
cast bounnfully over theland-and like stabl
manure, should be Immediately turned un
der. 10 prevent the escape of ammnnla whlc
the lime has tendency 70 diseugage.
En-. ARAToR.