The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-03-13
FIXED FACTS IN AGRICULTURE.

l. All lanGs on which clover, or the grasses
are grown, must either have lime in them, nat
urally, or the mineral must be artifciay sup,
piled. 1t matters but little whether it be sup
piled in the form of stone lime, oystersheN lime
| or mari
2. Al! permanent improvement of lands must
look to lime as its basis.
3. Lands which have been long in culture,
will be beneftted by applications of phosphate
OF lime, and it is unimportant whether the de-
! hciency be supplied in the form Of bone dust,
guano, native phosphate Of lime, composts of
fish, ashes,-or in that Of oyster shell lime-or
marl-if the land needs lining, also,
1. No lands can be preserved in high state
of fertility, unless clover and the grasses are
cultivated in the course of rotation.
! D: Moutd is indispensable to every soil, and a
healthy supply can alone be preserved through
the cultivation of clover, and the grasses, the
turning In Of green crops or by the application
Of composts, rich in the elements Of mould.
/ 6. All highly concentrated animal manures
are increased in value, and their benefit pro-
longed, by admixture with plaster, salt or pull
verized charcoal.
7. Deep PougAi"g greatly improves the pro-
duct.ve powers of variety of soil that is not
wet.
s. Subsoi7ing sound land, that is, land that
|
production
9. All wet land should be drained
10. All grain crops should be harvested
several days before the grain is thoroughly ripe.
l.. Clouer, as well as other grasses, intended
for hay, should be moved when in bloom.
y. Sandy lands can be most effectually i'm
proved by clay. When such lands require
lining, or marling, the lime or mari is more
benefcially applied when made into compost
with clay. In Stacking lime, salt brine is better
than water
l3. The chopping, or grinding grain, to be
fed to stock, operates saving of at least twen-
ty-fVe per cent.
|. Il. Draining of wet lands and marshes, adds
to their value, by making them produce more
and better crops-by producing them earer,-
an! BY improving the health Of neighborhoods
Is. TO manure or lime wet lands, is to throw
manure, lime and labor away.
Is. Shallow ploughing operates to impover-
ISL the soil, while it decreases production.
1t. BY stablng and shedding stock through
the winter, saving Of one-fourth of the food
may be effccted-that is, one-tourth less food
will answer, than when such stock may be ex-
posed to the inclemencics Of the weather.
IS. A bushel of plaster per acre, sown broad
cast over clover, will add one hunered per cent
to its produce.
10. Periodical applications of ashes tend to
keep up the integrity of soils, by supplying
most, if not all the inorganic substances.
20. Thorough preparation Of land is absolute
ly necessary to the successful and luxuriant
growth of crops.
81. Abundant crops cannot be grown for a
succession Of years, unless care be taken to pro-
vide, and apply an equivalent for the substances
carried off the land in the products grown
thereon
%. 10 preserve meadows in their productive
ness, it is necessary TO harrow them every see
cond autumn, apply top-dressngs, and roll
them.
23 All stiff cays are benefited by fall and
winter ploug ghngs; but should never be ploushed
while they are wet If at such ploushings, the
furrow be materially dcepened, lime, mari or
ashes should be applied.
"a Young stock should be moderately fed
with grain, in winter and receive generous sup
plies Of long provender, it being essential to
keep them in fair condition, in order that the
formation Of muscle, bones, &c may be encour-
aged and continuously carried on.
rs. Mich cows, in winter, should be kept
in dry, moderately warm, but we'll ventilated
quarters, be regularly fed and watered three
clean beds, be curried daily, and, in addition to
food. morning and evening.
26 Full compliments Of tools, and imple-
ments of husbaudry,' are intimately connected
with the success CT the husbandman.
q. Capital is not only necessary to agricul-
tura success, but can be as proftaby used in
farming as any other occupation
%. Punctuahty In engagements is as neces
sary to an agricuIturist it is to merchant.
20 Every husbandman should carefully read
aud digest matters connected with lis business;
his success being as dependent upon a full
know ledge Of its principles aud details, as is
that of the lawyer or physician with knowl-
edge of the science Of law, or physic.
80. Wheat, rye, oats and barley, should
never follow each other in course Of rotation;
there should always be an intervening hoe crop
between them.
81. Weeds should never be permitted to ma
ture their seed on farm but be pulled up or
cut down as often as they show themselves,
them. To ensure this result, the ground should
be planted in corn, and that kept clean.
50 Time and labor devoted to the collection
of materials, to be converted into manure, are
the most fruitful sources of profit in the whole
range Of farm economy.
So The orchard. TO be productive of good,
fair fruit, requires to be fed as much as does
field Of grain The soils of each require that
the substances distracted BY the crops should
be restored The soils should be kept clean
and open to the ameliorating influences Of the
sun, the dews, the rain and the air.
Josh Billings says that good way for a man
to train up child in the way it should go, is
to travel that way occasionally himself and be-
come familiar with the road.