Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-08-13
AGRICULTURAL.
From The Country Genntleme.)
DIFFERENCES In SOILS.


Sod is the earth wherein crops of every kind
are produced. The component parts are argil,
sand, water, and air. Argil is the soft and
unctious part of clay. Argil and sand contains
each, in nearly equal degrees, the food of plants
There are different kinds of soil, which may be
divided into four clssses, namely; clay, sand,
gravel, and what is termed peat earth. There
is, however another kind of soil called garden
moli, but, as it is maiDly-of artificial creation,
can hardly be ranked w'thInatural or original
soils. Loan, too, has been considered by some
as an original earth, but 10 reality 1t is an ar
tfcial soil, propuced By calcareous matters,
ard vegetable manurcs. Iu process Of time
the strongest clay may be converted into loan
by repeated applications Of the substance just
mentioned. Sandy soils may also be convert
cd into light loans by the application Of lime,
chalk, mari and clay. And even peat may he
turned into black, soft loan, and rendered
fertile and productive.
A clay soil differs from all other soils, and
il tough, wet and cold, and requires good deal
of labor to render it fit for bearing artificial
c:ops of eorn OF grass. When once wetted it
does not soon dry, and when thoroughly dry it
is not easily wettcd. When it is plowed in
wet state it sticks to the plow like mortar, and
in dry summer the cloas can scarcely be bro
ken or separated by the heaviest roller.
Sandy soils may be managed with much less
trouble, and at an expense greatly inferior to
what clay soils require; but the crops which
ar. produced from them are generally Of smaller
value. There are several varieties Of sandy
soils, and in some artificial plants viii not thrive
unless portion Of good earth is previously
mixed. A true sandy loan resting upon a
sound subsoil, is called the most valuable Of all
soils upon which all kinds of grain may be
raised with advantage, and no soil is better
adapted for turnips or grass. Sandy soils thor
oughly invigorated with clay and mari, BY ju-
dieious management, may be made to produce
the largest crops.
Grayelly soils freely imbbe moisture, and
Te''-s--'rss'7- r1ssrrvTrrry rTUn5 ErU
iightness of their texture, they are neither ex-
penslve nor difficult in the means of cultivation
They are usually barren, but by frequent ap-
plications Of manure, and By frequent returns
of grass, they may be made fertile and prolific.
Deep plowiug is essentially necessary, so that
the surface soil may be augmented, and greater
room given 10 the growth of the plants culti-
vated on them. If shallow plowed, it is either
burned up in day or two Of drought, or
equally injured by an excessive fall of rain.
Peat earth, probably, is an artificial soil.
made aud produced BY certain substances de-
posted upon the surface of the earth. Philos-
ophers, however, disagree on this point. By
one II Is called primitive earth; by another,
vegetable which grows and increases, and con-
tinues to increase until it destroys all other
soils; and by third, that it consits of ligneous
and aquatic plants. 1t has been said that one
fourth of the habitable globe is peat, or moss
eaIth and it Is, perhaps, surprising that so lit
tie is known on subject of so much impor-
tanee. The soil is friendly to growth Sf oats.
if previously it has been summer fallowed and
enriched with manure. A heavy crop of wheat
Tue season Is favorable, may also be obtain
ed.
As to the use to which soils may be most ad-
Fantageously applied, it is requisite that clay
soil be kept rich and full of manure. which
qualities ii for carrying crops Of wheat, oats.
beans, and clover. Usually, clay soils require
great industry and care, and :horo' kuowl-
edge IN the dressing, to keep them in proper
condition. No soil is SO ungratcful as this one
II allowed to get into sterile condition; but i'll
manure is profusely appropriated, with an oc. |
caslonal summer-fallowing, it will yield the
heaviest and most abundant crops
Upon light soils the case is somewhat differ
ent. The facility with which they arc cultiva-
ted' furnishes encouragement to keep them un-
der the plow. Grasses flourish the best. and I
summer faliow is rarely required. The best
method, perhaps, of procuring wheat is to sow
upon clover stubble, which gives an artificial
sol'dits to the soil, and is thereby rendered ca
pabte OF sustaining this grain until it arrives
at maturiy.-w. RIP.