The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-29
agricultural.
FERTILIZERS.

Method to be adopted by ohich a acGste Of FERTILE
ing Natter may be Prerented.
By PROFESSOR EMMoNs, State Geologist
Various methods are adopted to supply the
waste in fertilizing matter, to diminish it dur
ing cultivation One of the cheapest methods is
to allow much of the crop to decay upon the
field as possible. This course is adopted when a
planter ploughs in the stalks of indian corn cotton,
or the stuble of rye and wheat. There is adj
vantage in poughing in the stubble of all sereas.
Another method has been adopted. The stubble
is first burned and the ashes have been strewed
over the field under the impression that they con-
tain all the fertlzing matter. This method, how
ever, has never proven successful. When plough
ed in entire and allowed to waste in the soil, all
the soluble silica is preserved in condition to
meet the wants of the growing vegetable. The
plants which belong to the corn family, however,
are not so proftably employed as fertilizers as
clovOr, buckwheat and the pea. This fact be-
comes obvious from an inspection of the compost
ton of the corn stalk, or the stubble or straw of
wheat, and comparing it with the composition of
the latter. STILL the use of the corn stalk is
highly important.
The straw of wheat is less rich in phosphates
and the am:alies than corn; and it is entitled to
preservation and use as a fertilizer
Certain crops are raised expressly for the pur
pose of improving the soil. These when in bios
furnishes the manure for the succeeding crop.
The kinds usually selected are those which grow
vigorousy and send their roots deep. Such plants
bring from great depth the fertilizing matter to
the surface where it becomes accessible to the
ceeding crop. The red clover is the favorite
plant in the Northern States. Buckwheat is also
employed, but it is Objectionable: it continues to
spring up from the seed some will ripen and
mix with the wheat crop or appear a weed in
IL IL n
the South the pea has become favorite with in
telgent planters, and is, from its composition and
adaptation to climate the best crop to precede
wheat and to act as its fertilizer. The composition
of red clover is well adapted to the end which it
is assigned fulfill besides its root large spreads
widely and sinks deeply and hence it brings to the
surface large amount of fertilizing matter.
1t is not perhaps possible to estimate the real
value OF clover crop as a fertilizer. Two
hundred pounds of guanO cost So May we not
infer that its value exceeds that of this popular
fertilizer, especially when it is considered that the
organic part must exercise considerable influence
and always furnishes large amount of food? 1t
is true that new clements are added by the clover,
but then the cost of the crop is trifing, and the
effects more lasting than guano in this climate
The clover crop is from two and half to three
tons per acre of dry hay. 1t is more profitable to
feed cattle upon it before it is plOughed. BY this
course or plan of treatment the manure which is
added by feeding the cattle nearly suffces for the
diminished amount of clover consumed. 1t is not
regarded expedient to plough in very heavy
green crop of any kind. 1t is better to feed it in
part, if there were no valuable returns in meat or
flesh.
In the South the heavy or large stalks of corn
are broken down and laid fiat aud longitudinally
with the furrow and covered in that position
The cotton stalk is also laid flat and ploughed I'M
der. The real Importance of this operation be-
comes evident an inspection of the composition
even of the dried stalks, bolls, or capsules. !
found from the composition of the capsules that
they richer than the stalks.
In this connection it is proper to state the COM
position of the cotton seed, which is now always
employed fertilizer. Its real value will be
duly appreciated, though it is scarcely necessary
to confirm by anay what experience had long
determined by its use.
The pea will no doubt take the place of the red
clover in this State. Experience has already
proved its superiority. 1t is easily cultivated and
is not liable to many accidents. 1t takes deep
root and spreads widely, and is rich in valuable
fertilizers BY careful extraction from the hill |
have found its roots spreading through six feet of
ground.
The pea with its pod is richer in phosphates
than the vine, and these are ripe when turned
under the value of the crop for this purpose is in
creased. 1t appears from the foregoing that the
great amount of nutrient power the more valuable
they are fertilizers. Weeds which bear only
small seeds, or which are composed of lime are
less useful than leguminous plants, and others
which are closely related to the cereals.