The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-09-07
LIME ON LAND.

Edtf0r South C0unfrymdn!' -
DEAR SIR--You wish me to give you, for
the South Countryman,. "a few facts upon the
method and results Of lining, in Maryland,
as far as il has come under my observation.
Lining was introduced in Baltimore county,
by Mr.. Bosley, between 80 and 40 years
ago, and ii has been extensively carried on
in that and the surrounding counties, espc.
cially Hartford. for the last twenty. five years
with abundant success. Many hundred acres
Of old worn land, have been brought up from
poverty and are now IN a high state Of cuti-
vation, yielding as large crops Of wheat. rye,
corn, timothy and clover hay, as lands Of the
best quality elsewhere. | saw iarm Of
500 acres, which the gentleman lined at q
great expense and labor, having to buy the
limestone, haul it thirteen miles, and then
get his wood for burning, at cost from two to
three dollars per cord, and yet he informed
me that he had received back every cent OF
expense. aud good per cent. for his labor.
This gentleman has now rich farm. | saw
his corn crop for that year-it yielded about
10 barrels. or so bushels per acre, which he
Informed me was an average crop. He has
also raised wheat and grasses, with equal
success. aud this is only one out Of similar
efforts.
The limestone of that country Yields from
40 to so per cent. of lime, and most OF the
stone will average 60 to 65 or 20 per cent.
The quantity in general use By the princi-
pal farmers, is 80 bushels to the acre, broad
cast, on fallow. Few or none put On their
lime without first fallowiug their land the
reason is. that lime is heavier than the snil,
and sinks too deep. Lime is not considered
as manure, in itself but acts a. decompo-
ser OF vegetable matter. and in this way pro.
duces valuable and lasting manure.
The effect OF lime is now seen for the first
and second years, only in the dark green ap.
pearance OF the wheat and corn /; but the third
year, the effect is not only visible, but in
most cases profitable, and these lands, for
years after, with proper culture. are capable
Of much greater yield than they were be.
fore lining. The best vegetable substance
for decomposure and improvement is clo-
yer.
| have witnessed fact that ought here to
be stated, viz that corn will stand drought
two weeks longer than the same lands with
out lime-and the year | witnessed this fact.
the corn on lime lands matured in that time,
and yielded gnnd crop. while other fields
failed 70 a great extent, and many whose
lands were not lined. failed in making . crop
sufficient for their own wants.
This system Of lining is repeated every
fourth year by nost Of the larmers-and lands
have been brought up three and four hundred
per cent. aboye their original quality. Tnis,
however. is not accomplished in few years,
bat Is gradually carried ON, lrnm year To year.
These, Mr.. Editor, are facts which | have
witnessed for the list twenty yeats, and |
believe with similar efforts the old worn
lands of Georgia can be made productive and
valuable. The farmer must not look 50 much
to the immediate interest derived as 10 the
increase Of his capital. Capital. in lands
made rich. will not fail TO produce profitable
interest. and with industry perseverance, aud
patience, these results will be realized.
With an earnest wish for the success Of
your journal, remain
Yours, &C., II. BEST.
The above letter from Rev. Mr.. Best, who
is gentleman Of great practical gund sense
and skill, as successful farmer. is another
strong evidence oil the value Of lime as ANA
nurc. and an additional proof Of the position
we are taking in this journal, that increase
in the price Of land, follows improved agri.
culture. ED. ). COuSrRYNas.