The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-11-03
THE CALIFORNIAN
A9ritultaral.
Pasture Lands of NeaC-EngLa,ad.

What shall we do for the pasture lands
of New-Edgland they are running out.
Wood ashes stand as valuable fertilizer,
containing no less than twelve simple ele-
ments that enter into all cultivated plants.
The hard excrements of hog when high
ly fed for the purpose Of fattening, con-
tain earthly phosphates and nicely organ
lied mineral matter in a greater degree
than those of any animal that have yet
come under the test of chemicals. If these
nicely prepared minerals be associated with
decaving vegetable matter in sufficient
quantity to hold them in store as food for
plants, it cannot but prove powerful fer
,lizer. More depends upon the organiza-
ton Of element. than in the quantity used.
Witness the rich SciOtO bottoms at Co.
lumbuS, Ohio, where corn has been sue
ccssivcly raised on the same field for thlr-
ty years, with no diminution of crops,
kept up to the highest state Of fertility by
the large deposits Of finely decomposed
vegetable matter by the annual floods.
The same may be said of the Mohawk,
and other river bottoms. Irrigation is
the agent at work. Science has taught
all this, and more.
But what's the state of the question ?
The consideration of the renovation of
the pasture lands of ew-England. -
Well, if the soil is light and sandy, and
you determine to pillow, spread on clay
bounlituly after blowing, with liberal
supply of wood ashes, harrow lightly and
seed 10 rcd top and clover Roll up a
piece for experiment into ridges or swells,
with a large pillow, sow on ashes or plas'
ter, with salt, and seed as above. Try &
piece 10y spreading on the following prep
aratoh Take five bushels of caustic lime
and mix with ten of vegetable mould
Add two bushels of common salt, two OF
plaster of paris, and five of clay moisten
till the mass is like damp earth. The
plaster furnishes the sulphur, the salt boil
soda and chlorine. The chlorine parts
with the sodium, and unites with the
caustic lime, forming a valuable salt
known as the chloride of calcium. The
combines with the sodium being converted
into soda. then combonic acid of the at
mosphcre and organized matter in the veg
etable mould, and forms a we'll organized
salt that will dissolve common sand -
This composition still requires phospho-
rus and iron. Ground bones will furnish
phoSphorus-copperas the iron.
If thrown up into rid yes, the area will
be enlarged, and the hollows will furnish
feed in time of drouth, when flat surface
will be scorched to dryness. Long or fl.
Drous animal manure cannot be spread
without great loss Pulverize fine all ma
mreS, whether animal, mineral or vegeta-
bic, is the tombstone of vegetable physi
ology. Mark the powerful effect Of tho
finely pulverized dirt from much travel
ed road, with hardly a perceptible amour
of manure upon an adjoining field. Tol
dressing for grass lands, is the rule-deel
blowing the exception. Where pasture
lie in swells or knobs, l would set mapl
groves On all the swells-grass will al
ways grow under rock maples-cattle vii
stay under them much of the time-leav
their droppings there, and ferltilze por
tions below.-.N f. Farmer.