Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-23
Sprsng-time NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and
the Manner OF Applications.
D.. ~. "

Sprsng-time observation-disclosures, and
the Manner OF Application.
From the Rzrsl New Yezker.
The warm, sublime hours with which we have
recently been favored, only the solvent hardin
gners Of blessings in store for the sons and daueh.
ters Of earth. All greet them with Joy, and to none
can they prove msre welcome than to the farmer
who, after season ofrepose and comparative inae-
tpity, holds himself in readiness for the campaign
which is so soon 10 open These glorious eprifle
days TEEN with prophesies, the realization Of which
sober autumn may witness,-they bud with pro-
mise, but whether We partske Of the fruit is in
| great measure, the result Of own endeavor. He
who presides over all, and in whose hands are our
| destinies has said that seed-tme and harvest
should not fail yet there are conditions to which
must not only sscribe, but he must bring heart
ard soul 10 the work he would enjoy the bounsies
with which Providence rewards the earnest Ia
borer.
In successful farming we may consider it an
axiom that to be fed by the soil, the azriculturise
must feed it In return. In many portions of
our country, young as it is, already perceive
the banetul effects Of constant cropping without
giving back TO the land any of the elements Of fer
tility removed II was thought by our fathers that
soil naturally so rich marked various States in
the Confederaey, was inexhaustibla-indeed it vas
30 argued with reference to several tracts of our
Western prairies at the present dsy-and yet a
generation has hardly disappeared before these
Edens have given place to sterility, and sworn out
lands" have become the parimony of their children
This condition of affairs will inevitable result where
the rule is from the farm, and those who would
avoid such disastrous consequences will be obliged
to reverse the order, putting prominently into their
creed and their action the better guiding priaci-
pls to the SOIL We must collect and prepare every
material calculated to renew the energies and pre-
serve the constituents Of our heritage and as we
"Eould freely receive. freely give"
The use Of special fertilizers for keeping up The
afa onfa no nrall
every source to which We can turn for plant food |
upon our own domain has been invaded its supplies
devoted to their legitimate purposes, and that in
the manner best calculated to yield the greatest
profit from the materials used and the labor expend-
ed. This latter is the point to which we wish now
TO direct the attention Of our readers. Very many
have large quantities. of manure, but the mode Of
application is such that not 1.-THE Of the benefit is
obtained thsrefrom which might be received, and
what is gainsd seldom comes just when wanted.
Msnures may be divided into two general classes
LIQUID and solid In enc or the other of these
forms they are given to the sell. But few expert
men.s with liquid fertilizers have been made by
American farmers. The population Of cur country
is not sufficiently Dense and land is too plenty and
too cheap to make it psy, except in gardens near
large cities where q ready market and good prices
can be obtained for vegetable productions. In
liquid state we have more speedy exhibit Of its
and where it be used with pecunia-
~ advantage, the profits quickly transferred TO
the credit OF the producer.
The solid form is the one in which eur farmers
feed their lands. The principal reasons for this
mode of application, in addition TO those already
advanced, are the ease with which it may be hand
ed and the bgh rates of labor. In certain portions
Of Europe, where help can be obtained for mea-
IRE outlay of capital, liquid nanures are held in
sery great estimation, and with business But the
condition of the manure when applied by MAORI
" Of our farmers is not proper. We hear q great
Oh
partially decsyed, and but very little concerning
hose which are we'll rotted, and firmly pulverized |
Now, this latter state is just what the producer
should desire He cannot afford TO wait for the
profits of an investment any better Than those pur
ung other callings and yetIwere We to Judge from
he deposits made BY many tillers of the soil, We |
you'd rssdiry conclude they were sowing for their
oosterity to reap When the materials for euriching
and are comminuted, Q less quantity 10 needed, I
his can be directly applied, and the results are
peediiy apparent in both eye and.pooket.
Let the crop be what it may, the necessary psbu-
nm ought to be found in the soil soon as growing
regetation requires it. and it should be in proper
,ondilicn for absorption By the roots. In every |
tsee of growth organic food is essential to the
development Of the plant and. therefore, it must
le present at the planting. Mineral elements are
nore vigorously drawn upon at certain periods than
It Others and many of these fertilizers undergo
mportaut changes in the soil before they are fitted
or plant food it is best they should beincorporaed
nth the soil previous to the deposit Of the seed
For example, bone DUST when given to wheat lands
fentimes exhibits greater proof Of its virtue two
three years following its application than during
Their periods. Unfermented msnures are frequently
nut upon corn with the idea of bsueftting the crop
n the ground, but this method IL, probably, IS
fen failure success after crops receiving the
nore decided effects
As regards the peculiar mechanical operations
onnected with the application Of fertilizers, the
hoza I'D fha viz Of
nd experienced sgriculturists There Is the same
iyersity Of opinion upon this topic that marks oil
Their subjects, and the various modes,-surface '
blowing under, thorough incorporation q
nth the soil, etc.,-have defenders and opposers
We are OF the opinion that rule TO be followed a
hOut erceptoE cannot be given for this portion Of
arm operations. CampLeps Agriculture contains
paragraph or two upon this branch Of our sub
.ct which we cannot refrain from oondsnsing and
living to readers. All kinds Of manure accord
~ to Prof, c., should be thoroughly incorporat-
with the soil as possible.
Heavy manures, as limo or plaster, he would sp- o
ly to the surface after breaking up, then stir the
oil, and their weight gradually sinks them during o
nlivatiop Soluble Ingredients, such IS the aka b
salts in ashes, carried down by rains. q
ermented manures should be speedily covered. or s.
ngled with the SOIL because their ammonia is in Il
volatile form, and unless composed soon escapes.
he tendency Of volatile matters is to the surface,
I'D when thus passing through the soil they are n
rresied and absorbed. This fact is especially dis
nguishable upon porous soils. p
As regards top dressing, Prof. c. considers it fa e
sfable grass and clover crops in the winter and
BRING. Organic manures have their soluble ingre-
tents carried down into the soil by rain aud the G
lots find their food st the ver7 beginning Of their
,ring growth. The unrotted portions of the ma :.
are remaining upon the surface covered :.
? the leaves, and decsyiDg. form 8 rich, warm :.
old about the roots. TOp-iressed corr viii do well
newly gathered manure be used, containing urine :
I'd other matters readily soluble During autumn :,
I'd winter msnures may always be applied to the I;
rfsce without serious loss. and of.en with decided
Vantage. At all events they to be exposed r
the washing ofrLin, it is better il should be done
BON the field than around the barn. Il
The subject we have thus somewhat hastily treat d
/ is Of vital import to all those whose inter II
is connected with the soil, and hope that IL
e labors and experiments Of the busy period SO in
on to open, will be conducive to progress and q
in our system of agriculture u
The effect of extreme cold ia thus described by
,yard Taylor When the thermometer lie 40 or so