The Grand Haven news., 1864-11-16


Land is plowed for the purpose Of
loosening and pulverizing the soil, and ex-
posing it to the action Of air and water
and the various acids found in them, that
its organic. elements may be properly de-
composed and its inorganic elements con-
verted into food for plants. Frost is a
most valuable and potent agent in effect
ing this work--an agent which the
most thoughtful farmer will not be slow
in calling to aid. II land is plowed in
The fall, these natural agents, air, water
and frost, will be silently at work all win
ter, enriching the soil, and mellowing il
better than could be done. by any work Of
man. II y claimed BY many that sandy
soils do not receive SO much benefit as in
jury from fall blowing, as it is believed
that by exposure TO rains and wind the
light, soluble manures are exhaled, or
washed out, and they receive little CON-
pensation for this waste in any fertility
they derive from the atmosphere and the
action Of frost in return.
With clay soils, however, this objection
does not apply. There is a strong at
traction existing between the clay and
those gasses that are furnished by the at-
mosphere, SHOWS, rains and dews The
clay, by being thrown up and coming in
contact with the ammonia and carbonic
and nitric acids, which are in the air,
seizes upon them, and holds them for the
future use of crops; while the great afiin-
ity of the ammonia and acids for manures
etfectually prevents the waste of such as
are in the soil. The furrows of clay soils
should be turned so that each laps on the
preceding one, and should lie at an angle
Of forty-five degrees. For this purpose
the depth of the furrow should be two
thirds in width; thus furrow six inches
deep should be nine inches wide. This
proportion will allow the furows to lie
regularly and evenly and in the proper
position for the drainage of the soil, the
free circulation Of air and the most off
cient action Of frosts, which, in this way,
have access TO every side of them.
Clay soils, unless well drained, are so
wet that they cannot be well and profta-
bly, worked early in spring. BY fall plow-
ing this evil is remedied to great extent,
especially ifrho burrows are laid as above
recommended, for the open spaces between
the bottoms of the furrows act as drains
to carry of the superabundant moisture.
Clay lands plowed in the fall are in fine
condition for sowing spring crops without
fnrther blowing, though thorough har-
rowing is beneficial. For planting they
should be thoroughly stirred with cult
vator.- Western Rural 18th.
HOUSE ON FIRE.-On being awakened
at night by an alarm of fire preserve
presence of mind, and do not act till a
moment has been taken for reflection
Preservation may depend on the choice
of going up or doson stairs. In making
a way through burning house il is best
to creep along on hands and knees, the
freest air being to be had close to the
floor.
Should fire break out in a chimney,
blanket wetted should be nailed to the
upper ends Of the mantel-piece, so as to
cover the opening entirely; the fire will
then commonly 60 out of itself. A solu-
ton of pearlash in water thrown upon a
fire extinguishes it instantly; dissolve a
quarter of pound 10 hot water, and
pour into a bucket of water. nl
In case of a persons clothes being set
on fire, instead of throwing open the door
and running into the road, let the person
particularly if female, whose dress ig-
mites rapidly-fall on the ground, and
roll in carpet, rug, blanket, curtain,
cloak, or whatever thick wooden article
may be at hand. If any other persons
are present they should assist in doing
this, and be particularly careful to keep
doors and windows shut, as every draught
Of air feeds the flame which it is the OBJ
ject to suppress.
BURNED TO DEArH.--A Mrs. Fitzger-
aid, living near GAINESVILLE, ILL.,, on Friday
afternoon, started to a neighbor, leaving
4 4 l. Il i