The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-11-04

ASHES AND LIME.

Mr.. Editor Our lands may be greatly
improved by lime and ashes, or by either Of
these articles. The lime is necessary, not
itself to feed the growing plants, but, by its
chemical action, to prepare the vegetable
and mineral substance in the soil for this
office, and it should therefore be applied
broad cast, to the surface, after ploughing,
in the fall Or spriug. 1t may be narrowed
in, as the object is to mix it as thoroughly
and intimately as possible with the top soil.
Il should never be purposely turned under
deep, as its nature is to retire from the top,
and it will soon sink low enough. As to
quantity to be used, that must be regulated
by circumstances. Twenty-Five to fifty
bushels per acre. at dose, would probably
suffice in most cases. Good farmers in Mary
land regard tas Indispensable, and they ap-
ply it literally with remuneratiye results.
Ashes, to some extent, produce the same
chemical effect, and, at the same time, are
rich in inherent fertilizing properties. which
they lmpart directly to the growing plants.
For this reason, consider ashes preferable,
as general thing, to lime, where only one
Of these substances is TO be used. give
ashes the preference, too, because we can
all procure them without cost, except Of
labor. II any one doubt their virtue, let
him give them trial. Lay OF an acre of
your poorest land, spread on it broadcast
fifteen or twenty two-horse loads Of stable
manure, turn it under; then put on, in the
same way, hundred bushels of unleached
ashes, and harrow them in with wheat. Or
as soon as your crop is laid BY, cover an
la sL lak lie.
mcnths; then burn it all of as it lies,
and, after suitable preparation, SOW it in
wheat. ! pledge myself the crop in either
case, will pay all labor and expense and
the land will be permanently brought to life
again.
] But lime and ashes may be both used
profitably in other modes. They are good
mixed with heaps Of litter and decaying
matter; and greatly enrich all compost heaps,
il judiciously managed. A composition Of
one part salt, two Of shell lime, and four OF
well saved COW dung-handfull TO the hill,
so as 10 come as near as possible without
coming in direct contact with the grain-is
a most excellent manure for corn and all
other grain or plants. Ashes and peat or
swamp muck, bushel Of the former to every
/ four of the latter, well mixed and left IN
bulk week or ten days, forms capital
compost for fruit trees, and indeed for all
cultivated crops. They these fertilizers.
They are not new and untested theories,
though they may be SO to many of your
readers, who will probably pass them over
as idle chimeras, and continue TO make q
nubbin where they might produce grown
ear. Even those who are convinced Ol their
great value and importance, are far too lazy,
negligent and sparing in collecting and
applying them.
This ought TO be-embracing all kinds ol
manure--a regular aud systematic bushes:
on every farm. And let il here be impressed
upon the reader, that the small inefficient
part Of his force in other matters, might very
pro6tably be kept at work in this depart.
ment the whole year. Since | have had .
few years experience in manuring. and have
seen and felt its benefits in my land as well
as my crops, YOU need not be surprised thai
| acknowledge myself an enthusiast on The
subject.
But to carry out the system successfully
much good Judgment, personal attention
and patient perseverance must be exercised
Whoever will do il, will have the satislac.
ton, though the process be slow, Of ulti'
mately seeing his labors we'll rewarded.
My motto IS EXCELSIOR.