The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-03-18


of hay which they make.
Chemists tell us that in ton of good hay,
there are one hundred and fifty pounds OF
mineral matter, and twenty-five pounds OF
nitrogen, which is equivalent to forty-six
and half pounds of ammonia which is OF
great value in promoting the growth OF grass
or any other crop.
This mineral matter alluded to, is compos-
ed of forty-three pounds potash, twenty-five
poundsof lime, and eight and a half pounds
of phosphoric acid, besides several ether in
gradients not enumerated.
Now, as these elements become scarce IN
the soil, the quantity of crop will be exer-
cised to return to the soil an equivalent Tor
the amount that has been carried away IN
the hay.
The question naturally arises, then, Ao'c
can this be done in the most economical man
ner, so as to maintain the fertility of the
soil?
There are several ways of doing it. But
the farmer needs to understand the most
economical way of performing task SO inn
portant and desirable. One Of these ways is |
to supply the waste by scattering ashes,
lime, bone dust AMI gypsum, over the mea-
dow, after every crop Of hay has been re-
moved. In this manner IL meadow may be
made to yield heavy crop of grass every
season for long time. The ashes will fur
nish the necessary potash. as that ingredient
promotes the growth Of grass very much, as
may be proved by observing the rank and
luxuriant growth of timothy or clover, in the
bed of a long heap or where brush has been
burned. top dressing of bones and lime
will supply the other engredients that have
been removed in the hay
Another way Of maintaining the fertility
of grass land is, by the application Of guam.
or superphosphates, which contain all the
elements Of fertility, which are necessary to
secure heavy crop of grass. These two
ways arc rather expensive modes OF main
tanning the fertility of grass land, but when
rhe rrass is all removed from the farm, eth
or in a green state or in hay, one or the 9TH
er must be resorted to, unless the proprietor
has access to peat, mari, or to stable manure.
Another way Of maintaining tho eit'lity
! ef grass land is, by barn-yard manure and
homemade compost This is the most eco
nomical, and in fact the true way, for farmers
in general to keep their meadows and pas
lures in good state of productiveness. By
saving with care all the manure that can be
= made from animals, while they are consum-
: ing ton of hay, by mingling little muck
0 with the manure, and by feeding some grain
4 and oil meal, and applying the manure judi
: ciously the quantity Of grass per acre may bt
. increased little from year to year, for years
to come.
: SUGGESTIONS FOR FARMERs.-Many farmers
: thiak that they can rest during the winter
9 and BE just as well off in spring This ide'
/ should be cast aside at once. 10 see tina
= your stock have proper care is the first thlnt
V for you to do, and remember that they will
look enough better next spring to pay for {
: little extra care this winter. If you hav
: your stock on your farm, have good warn
is stable for them, and not feed them in tn
d barn yard or let them lie ON the ground un
II der shed, as some men do who profess to b
farmers. you should give each one of then
IL little ground feed Of some description, yo
would not be sorry six months from now
!, nor would your young cattle be lousy in tn
: - spring. This will apply to COWS and othe
:, = stock, as well as young cattle;
70 There is no better time to get into tn
,e woods than in the winter, when the groun
a. is frozen and there is good sleghing. Tnert
n fore, YOU will not have better time TO &c
out your wood for next season. A well-hlle
@ wood house is an ornament to any farmer
premises.
You ought not to pass away the long viii
ter evenings in idleness. You should hay
a good sound agricultural journal of som
~ sort to peruse. Think over your improve
% ments that you have made on your farm tn
y proceeding year, aad thi.lk what imp. ov'
meats you arc going TO make another yea
- and make your calculations, so as to knJ
- what to do first when spring opens. Sui
:, scribe for good agricultural paper, read
- tho oughly, and it will increase your know
- edge, and enable you to pass away the wints
evenings pleasantly. l
re- "HIon FARMING" The President Of tt
ne | WlgtOn Farmers CluD has Deen feadlng
ier paper on question thst sometimes occurs
,rs American as wel as Scotch and Englan
lu- farmers, viz: High farming; but where
em the money to come from?" His treatmer
os, of the subject is very interesting and tt
tut discussion that followed was spirited enougl
al We may refer to it again, but, as we hay
Ter lately quoted extracts to show the success
in steam plowing (which is one branch of ''hig
we farming') in Great Britain, we contine on
Of solves to the remarks of one of the speake
= on this much-mooted point. He said: "W
or have had steam plow in this neighb rhoo
as which had hardly been equal to the expend
er, ture. 1t had hardly, he thought, done Il
Joy great things expected from If, (smiling ar
i it looking toward his brother, Mr. W. Lawso
ere who has been the first to introduce the stes
plow in this neighhorhood) When he 90