The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-17
LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch
PETERSBURG, August Is, 1867.

PETERSBURG, August 10, 1901. {.
The fine scasonable weather We arc
having, with the rank vegetation which
covers the fields, would have been sugges-
tive in former days Of rich tallows ana
preparations for ample crops of wheat.
Such a spectacle must indeed be tanta-
lizing to the farmer even now if his spirit
has not totally sunk within him. AS far,
however, as practicable, it is hoped he will
avail himself of the bountics Of Prori-
dcnce, and make ready the land for the
approaching sced-timc. The work cannot
be begun too soon-the sooner the better.
An August fallow, though it may be i'm
perfectly performed, with a refallow the
last of September or early in October,
forms q matrix for the young plant in
which the roots delight to spread. By the
time it is needed, the vegetable matter
turned in becomes thoroughly decom-
posed, and supplies food for the crop. A
late fallow, on the contrary, is, nine times
out of ten, work thrown away. No time
is allowed for vegetable decomposition
the grass, indeed, having become sere and
woody, resis.s decay; an. its presence is
an injury rather than q benefit. Nor can
the soil at O late first ploughing be re-
duced to so fine a filth. In view, there
fore, Of the advantages of timely prepare
ton, it is better to bestow the disposable
labor on two acres we'll done than on five
half done. An equal result is secured at
half the expense, and a result liable to
much fewer casualties from fly and rust.
Undoubtedly the best preparations for a
crop of wheat, after tobacco, is a crop OF
clover. But alas, it is only a limited por-
ton of our lands on which clover Will now
grow freely-not half as much, nor the
fourth part, as forty, or even twenty years
ago. They have been so plastcred ana
rIIanoed. and stimulated to unhealthy &C
ton by all sorts Of appliances, as to have
become exhausted Of the peculiar con-
stitucnts necessary to the growth OF thlS
valuable plant. 1t is not TOO strong an
expression to say that our system OF farm
ing has been q system of spolatlon OF the
soil, not less so Of late years than before
the formation Of agricultural societies.
And to keep up its tagging energies, we
are now dependent on a manure imported
from the Pacific ocean, almost half way
around the globe
The basis of all progressive ~husbandry
is lime or ashes, in combination with farm
ward manure. bones, and other substances
The products of the soil. Their applica-
ton is but restoring to the land the salts
and mineral ingredients which have been
distracted from it. But as this letter is
ALREADY growing too long, | shall continc
mvsclf to a very few remarks on the value
Of ashes.
II has doubtless come within the obser-
walton of every farmer who has applied
ashes to the soil, that it contributes as much
or more than anything else to the growth
of clover. 1t seems to supply in the
highest degree the mineral constituents
which enter into the composition of the
plant. Spread over a field on which clover
was never known to grow, and q luXurlant
crop of white clover Immediately springs
up, inSomuch that one is almost forced TO
believe in the doctrine ofspontaneous pro-
duction. The lesson TO be learned from
this fact is, that the farmer should be most
careful in outstanding this resource, and
that he should apply 1.-THE best made, it
is believed, is in the form of q top-drcss-
irg-to such lots as it is desirable to lay
down to grass. Having once got a stand,
there is no further difficulty under judi
cious management in keeping the land up
to a high state of fertility. Twenty bushels
Of ashes per acre, or ten, or even five, Will
produce Il marked effect. >.