The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-03-23
Agricultural.
Bringing up WOrn.Out Land.

It is ever and anon asserted that the only !
systematic and intelligent way to bring up !
land that has been run down, is to have the J
soil carefully analysed by a professional |
agricultural chemist, to ascertain the lack
ing mineral ingredients, and then to pur'
chase and apply the same,
Theoretically, this is all very well. But
let us remember two or three things. 1t
will be necessary to analyse nearly every
field of u farm, il not different portions of
the same field because the soils will be more
or less unlike. Then, too, these analyses
are expensive. And lastly, they arc very
liable to fatal erroIs.-Prof. S. W. Johnson
writes: do not doubt that in many cases
careful Investigation Of soil-chemical,
physical, and historically genuine scien
7ihc farmer, one familiar with science and
practice, would afford safe and nearly accu'
rate data for its proper treatment. But this
would be always expensive, and in nine
cases out Of ten, would not pay. Soil anal
yss, at the best, is a chance game; and
where one wins, hundred may lose.
Instead, then, of looking abroad for some
special process OF reconstruction, let the
farmer turn to the farm itself and his own
brains, and see what they can do. If our
farm is exhausted, it is because it has been
abused, and to restore it, it must receive
kind treatment. Let us sec. Some parts
of it may need draining. Other parts will
need deeper blowing, and all will doubtless
need more manure and cleaner tllagc.
The owners of such farms generally com
plain that they have not manure enough on
their premises, and can not afford to buy
more. Then let them try blowing under
green manure, such as peas, buckwheat,
and, best of all, clover. Marvellous results
have been achieved in this way. And muck
has done and will yet do as great wonders.
Many farm has bed of this, and whoever
has it, has mine of wealth. Get it out
every leisure day, and after it has drained,
stack it up with alternate layers of lime or
ashes. In u few months, it will be nearly
as ciiicacious as so much barn. yard dung
DR.. Dana classes it with ow.manure in
value. Now, these two sources Of fertility
are enough, with deeper blowing and clean
er cultury, to set any ''worn.out' farm on a
career of improvement. But, as every
little helps,' the farmer should save the
droppings of his poultry. house, the slops
and waste from kitchen and chamber, the
contents of the priyy, all bones and chips
and sods and leaves in short, whatsoever
will decay, and so become a FERTILIZER
These several items amount in the aggregate
10 good deal in a years time. And the
farmer who neglects 10 save them should be
ashamed to complain of his worn out land.
1t is by economy Of this sort that some of
the poorest farms of the country have been
reclaimed and m ade profitable. And there
are many more waiting to be reclaimed by
just such simple means. There are farms,
however, which this will not rogeneratc, and
these in 30 cases in 100, need bone DUST
Green manure and bone. dust will cure 9.10ths
Of the Ills that we'll drained and plowed land
is heir to- Lime is often great help, and
ashes still better These facts are easier
learned by experiment than by chemical
ysis.-AmericdH .1gricuhuriSf.