The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1868-07-01
From lhe Raleigh Sentinel. Z. ~

- I'd %
.FERIIlzERs IN NORTH cARoLISA.,
- We I've been favored with the follow
ing correspondence between a Committee
Of the tate Agricultural Ssciety and P1of.
Kerr, ,e State Geologist. 1t speaks for
itself, ad we need do no more than call
attentidI toit. The letter of Prof. Kerr is
full Of vasable information and suggestions.
which are propos and timely 1t estab-
fishes the fat that we have native fertilizers
in abundane, to NEE, all the exigencies OF
our Agricultural condition and necessities:
t''t. Raleigh, N. C., Feb IL, 1868.
Prof W. c,Er. .''~= ma 70 Y sr%
SlR:--.rp State Agricultural Society. at
its last meeting, passed the following reso-
luton, to-wt; ..@ = - ..''.
=" Rssoisd, That Committee be ap-
pointed To investigate the subject Of pro-
ducing fertilizers in this State, for sale 10
the fafnsr, Of the State at fair remunerat-
ing prises." -, ..' '.....
The object Of the Society is. frst. 10 as
certain whether the materials exist out Of
which fertilizers can be manufactured; Sec
ondly, ia ascertain whether they can be
produced 10 quantity and form as to com
lPensate, the manufacturer and remunerate
the farmer. .,'-., 49, ST. - - '' ~
Any information that you could give the
COMMITTEES. at your leisure, upon this sub
ject. would be gratefully received.
With much respect,
D. NJ. BARRINGER,
J. L. BRIDGERS,
''' I" '.E E COmmittcs.
\ - Raleigh. Iuns 10, 1865
Geo. W. Whitfield. Esq. Hon. d. M. Barringer, CoI
John L. Bridgers, Committee, DC.
GENTLEMAN 81 have not yet had time
to give the subject of your communication
the attention which its inportsaced demands,
having been wholly occupied with the sur
vey OF the Western section of the State.
IL is my purpose, in few months. after
completing the examination OF that region,
to take up, in detail, the study Of the marIs
OF the Eastern counties, and, in connection
with them, TO discuss the whole subject of
our resources Of fertilization in this State
and the best methods of utilizing them.
Blu. il has occurred to me that il might be
worth while. preliminarily, to call the at.
tentiOn Of your Committee and Of the Agri,
cultural Society to some general eonsidera-
tiUns which must direct and limit our inves-
legations and experiments in this direc tiun.
Without going into the general subject
oil manures and the theory Of their action
upon the soil, it will be sufficient to state
in general, that the principal problem of
practical agriculture in our State and region
is, how TO restore and maintain the supply Of
lime and humus in our soils. This ia so,
partly because these are among the most
important ingredients, aud, at the sane
time. the most liable TO exhaustion, AMI
partly because, whatever method is adopted
Of supplying these, the other sxhsustibIe
elements are also restored incidentally.
The methods Of supplying humus are
mainly two: First, The plOwing in of green
crops and, second. the direct addition Of
il in IN. form OF stable manure. peas. muck.
SC. -
. Lin, mas be restored directly. as lime,
, nr in the form OF mari or gypsum. Aud,
still BITTER. either or both Of these msy be
composted with the peat, &c.
: Slice the prrcess Of improving soils by
tlowIng in green crops, however advisable
. will rot readily nor speedily be adopted by
our Grmers. aud since the quantity Ui stock
i, in our region is aud must long remain ut.
terly inadequate to furnish a supply of s'a.
BILE manure, it is important to inquire
whe her there are other available sousces ol
!. supply. The immense peat beds cf Onr
coast region will at once occur TO you as
! cap.ble oi furnishing unlimitsd quantities
I Tor IN indefinite period. In fact. there i:
j. enmgh TO supply for one hundred years
a eyey acre Of cultivated land within ten
mills Of . Railroad or nsvigable river.
II for lime, Of course the msrl.beds of
n the same rsgion furnish an insIhau-tible
supply, The msnufacture oil lrne tor az.