Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-05-31
AGRICULTURAL.
From the New England Farmer.
The Cultivation of Muck or Peat
Meadows.

Although much his been said and writ
ten in favor Of ryclaimng and culilvating
these lands aal much labor and capital ha'
been spent in their snljection, yet it re-
mains question in the minds of many IN
telligent farmers, whether The time and mon
ey thus spent are, on the whole, profitable
investments.
Some experienced farmers Of my ac-
quainiance have male experiments upon
these lands, until they are convinced TINT
the business does not pay. The meadows
have been properly drained, the thin layer
of moss roots and wild grasses removed
from the surface the land has been plowed
or chopped over, sprinklng of sand. loan
or clay applied, and seeded down. For
or three years. there would be a tole'able
crop of English hay. but after that time the
natural grasses would spring up again, and
root out the foreign kinds. But few years
would clapse before the meadow would lie
less productive than it was while in its nat
ural state. sMeans were taken TO arrest the
growth Of the wild grasses, but they did moi
have permanent effect.
To spread coat of gravel or sand upon
the meadow of thickness sufficient to Kill
the original grass roots. would require an
amount Of capital which but few farmers
have TO spare: and in addition to the above
expense, the upland soil would have TO be
robbed of portion of its fertile matter, to
form an artificial soil upon this bed OF gray
ell, or nothing would grow. This mode OF
operation il also one of extremely doubtful
utility From my own observation and ex'
perience, and from that of others well
qualified to Judge, have come to the con-
clusion, that if The same amount of labor
and capital which IS annually expended II
the cultivation Of these meadows, was en-
ployed in subsoling, trenching draining, and
manurng uplands of average fertility, the
farmer would receive double, if not treble
the amount OF profit.
Nature is ever ready to assist man wher
he does not transgress her laws, but these
laws are transgres-ed when he attempts IL
rear upon muck or peat meadows plants oil
grasses, which naturally grow only upor
the dry land.
The cranberry crop is the only on with
in my knowledge WHICH can be proiitabl,
rails I'd upon these m dows. The presen
market price of this fruit should be a snf
ficient inducemeut, il seems TO me, for the
owner Of such lands to commence its cult
walton, ii he has good stock Of patience
and perseverance, 10 carry il through. Blu
the principal purpose for which these places
were formed by the all-wse Creator, is jus
beginning to be generally understood
ii is folnl that mack when properly
applied to almost every variety of uplanC
soil, will produce highly beneficial results
on all kinds plants, grasses, and fruit trees
In the renovation of old, worn-out pasture
lands. have not the least doubt, that al
application of muck, after it had been thrown
out year or more, and become finely pull
verified, and mixed with small proportion
Of potash, soda ash, or common wood ashes
would have an extremely beneficial effect
Has any one ever given this mode of ope
ration fair trial?
DO you think, Mr.. Editor, that if farm
er has few acres of muck meadow, he car
put such land 10 better use, than TO keel
it in reserve, as a scource from whence t.
draw a yearly supply of fertilizing matter
for the benefit OF his uplands?
As this is subject Of great importance
it is hoped that al who have had practical
experience concerning it, will give the read
ers of the Farmer, the result of their obser
va,ions.
South Groton, 1861. S. L. WHITE.