The Van Buren press., 1859-09-30
For the Van Buren Press.
Agriculture.


the subject and if, now and then, hint
may be contained in them that the farmers
OF Crawford shall deem Important, the wri-
ter will feel abundantly rewarded for the time
spent in their composition. 1t is earnest
y desired by every true lover of his coun-
try, that we keep our skirts clear of the
foolish political humbuygery and twaddle
OF the present day, and confine our atten-
ton to development of the unbounded re-
sources of Western Arkansas. five could
only have less demagogueism and more pat
riotism, we would soon be in the foremost
rank among states. The people of Arkan.
sas have been hoodwinked long enough by
designing, intriguing political spirits who
live upon the public money, and consume
the time and attention of the worthy citi-
zens with ebulitions OF splenetic indicative
ness against individuals, when he ought to
he entertained with something that will
make him " wiser and better man. or, at
least that will not tend to awaken spirit
of hatred against his ncighbor. Instead of
brewing dissensions inthe State, let us do
our utmost to work together in unity OF
spirit, and fo6phe accomplishment of one
common puff,Sse. the good of the country.
National prosperity is indissolubly conne;-
ted and. indeed, depends upon individual
prosperity-and the former, or the working
classes in general are the foundation of all
Every one who contributes his mite to-
wards the prosperity or advancement of this
class, is the true benefactor of his country
Much has been said in these articles about
the use of fertilisers. The use of manure
is certainly greatly beneficial to the soil, but
manures should be used judiciously. For
some time it was a question with agricul-
turists whether Guano would not prove
more injurious than beneficial to the soil
1t was found that in the course of time it
would completely exhaust its fertility. Ex-
perience has taught that it may be used
without this result consequently it has
been imported in great quantities, and use,l
with astonishing effects. The cost of his
manure has been a great drawback upon its
use, and the want of facilities for transport
ing renders it out of the question for it to
come into general in this portion OF the
country, even if we needed so powerful a
stimulant. The soil of the older State, be-
ing almost worn out. stool much in need
OF this manure. Our soil, on the contrary,
is not old, and lighter manures will suffice.
much of it eeling none at all at present
One method of enhancing the fertility of
our soil is generally neglected The weeds
that the farmer stigmatizes with many un-
gentle epithets are by no means vaueles,
in agricultural economy. By iudicious
management THEY, too, may be turned to a
good purpose. Agricultural chemists in
form us that all thing, which spring from
the earth appropriate some portion of those
gases which render soil productive Those
Srowths which shoot up quickly, such As
weeds, OF course consume a great amount
of the fertlizing gases, the object of the
farmer should be to cause those to return
| their substances to the soil The crop OF
wheat. oats. rye, barley, corn, ETC., being
taken from the soil and consumed elsewhere
carry away portion of fertility. This oi
course cannot be remedied. Weeds, on
the other hand, are not carried away. 70,
should not be) and they may be forced tc
return their plitered stores InsteaIof cut
ting down the weeds and throwing them
over the fence, let the farmer cut them ana
place Them in heaps. After they have been
exposed to the sun long enough to becora,
perfectly dry, let them be burned FIR,
will eliminate the gases that are Lighter than
the atmosphere and the ashes or unconsu-
med carbon will return to the earth When
the land is ploughed, this carbon is turn
ell under" and again forms constituent
part OF the soil from which the weeds had
taken it. Some farmers have entertained
the idea that by cutting weeds before they
have matured andtossing them over the fcnc,
or ploughing them under, they will thereby
soon clear the field of them. This is moi
the case. 1t they are cut and thrown ava,
the wind will soon blow the seed back O,
birds and cattle will drop them on tn,
fields. If ploughed under, they will, aftel
awhile spring up again. They may lay in
the earth sometimes for two or more YEAR
before they will be sufficiently matured tt
grow, still they will come after a while
The best plan, then, seems to he to consum,
them on the ground and have the use o
the ashes. An industrious farmer, who viii
not attempt to cultivate TOD much SOIL car
readily conquer the weeds, and preven
them from choking the crop. Many farm
ers would not be without the stubborn bur,
weed, and have heard old farmers declar,
that if they did not grow upon their groun,
4 they would cart them on to it, This weed
being of quick growth, not only keeps tin
soil loose and mellow; but also shades il
and is of great utility in this country i,
time of drought. True. if not cut an,
thrown into heaps before the farmers wrsl
to turn their stock upon the stubblc, the,
become general nuisance. If they .,
moved and heapea while green th:. diff
Guilty is avoided. / have sa:T more abou
WEEDS tHan lnteccaed. X. Y.
NILES AND HoRsEs.-Droves Of Mule
, and Horses, continue to pass through &
City daily, destined for q market soutl
:. Tsa average number of droves passing,