Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-04-28
;ffaruters Golun1lr.
SURFACE hANUBING.

The following contribution to the Southern
Cukirator suggests proposition, in regard to
surface manuring, upon which we should be glad
to hear the experience (not the ratiocinaLton) oi
our farming and planting subscribers. 1t occurs
TO us that there is force in the present writer's
position, at least in 80 far as observation is
brought to bear upon it. Will not the friend.
Of farming progress amongst us speak out upon
the subject2 We should be glad to publish
their views. See then what CT" says through
the columns of the Cultirator ED. ADV.
EDITORS SOUTHERN CULr1rlroR-In my
researches into this fruitful subject, it has been
my lot to meet with few notes Of experience
consonant with my own; very few and, with
one exception, very family uttered The e1.
ception was the lifetime experience of an old
and eminent tobacco planter, No man should
bury my manure, though be paid for the prlVl'
lege."
Without multiplying words, either in fact OF
argument, would here endorse that venerable
gentleman to the extent of saying that the
safest action, the lveliest action the surest and
most permanent, ever derived from barn yard
manure, in my knowledge, has been attained by
simply spreading it, (be the quantity more OF
less) on the surface OF the ground, and keeping
it there RS long as the necessities of cultivation
will permit--the longer the better. am in
clired to state the difference in favor of this
method as that between "manuring" aud mot
manuring at all p'
/ have been forced into the sorroTful convic-
tion that of the millions Of tons of cotton seed
annually applied az manure in these Southern
States the ninety-ninth part of it is wasted,
and counting the labor of hauling and damage
from the curious action of "bot;um heat" ect.,
far worse than wasted.
Have our farmers examined these little de-
posites when, sweeping rain has laid them
open? Have they been gratihed at the little
nest of blackening hulls, or the still blacker
pancakes Of fsttened dung which are the issue
of their unsarory la5ors in the way of prepar-
ing food for plants2
I have said that would not adduce fact or
argument. 1t is truly difficult not to do so /;
and as my position is liable to be assailed, will
at least throw out an advanced guard in the
direction of the enemy. Science has conceded
Tin fact it is the essence Of true science to con-
cede) that between the plainest "cause" and
the most pslpable "effect" there is realm of
mystery where her steps are STAYED, where the
wisest head is the most revently bowed down.
Are we ashamed of our ignorance when we as
cribe to plant tue attributes of an animal, and
speak of its selecting its food" and shall we
withhold from our mother earth the merit Of
her skill in "cooking" it; ceasing at the com:
mand of theory to place our little contributions
of raw material exactly where through endless
ages she hss carefully deposited her own2
believe have stated my position clearly,
but let Inc give one item of practice. I will
select peach tree as one has chosen to preach
me capital sermon this morning. Having
been grated on Chickasaw plum, the course of
its roots is prettily marked by little erruptions
Of the plum, illustrating the fact that the roots
Of a tree may extend far beyond the spread Of
its branches; and also, the folly Of grating a
peach on "prunus chicass." Did a peach tree
need digging and dunging, should dig first and
dung secendly-not by way Of mulch particu-
lsrly, nor that rains would carry it down, etc.,
but for all this, and for the farther reason that
the earth is a great absorbent and its capacity
for all enriching gases is hereby most signslly
enhanced. Ammonia attracts water-the Earth
attracts both.
Yours, at the end Of my paper, I.
APRIL, 1885,