Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-05-08
Soils.

Soils.
1lusbandry may be properly compared
with manufacturing. as in all the details Of
both there are certain sirniiaritics. The far.
mer is the manufacture, the soil his raw
material. aud starting with this, it must be
prepared, manipulated, added TO, wet,
dried. and with the assistance OF natural
agencies, manufactured into the desired
crops. Aud every stage OF this work must
be as carefully attended an 4 watched, 4,
IN the incest manufacturing operations
This raw material has in practice been d.
vided into two grand divisions; namely
strong, or clayei soils. and iigh. or sandy
soils. These have been formed by tho graiu.
al disiDiegration. or breaking up, OF dii-
ferent rocks. include all kind ofearths. The
strongest soii in New England that !, profit.
ably productive. contains about three quar-.
tiers, or seventy five per cent of pure clay;
1t i so strong dat il will make exec lent
bricks, but when properly handled and
MANFRED. il irlds good returns in wheat
and other grain. While tho Hgit,N profit.
able soil contains nincty-eve per cent Of
slick. i, is so sandy thar IL cannot bc mould.
ed in the hand unless very wet. but i, pro-
duces COOL crops Of rye. Il should bc
borne in mind that these are extreme cases.
and the fo'losing suggestions arc intrndc j
for moderately clayey or sandy lands. like
mos of the farms in the Eastern States.
y strong soil is stiff and heav,. it will
take up large portion OF water. dries slowly
and then bakes in the sun III wet season.
1t is often too soft. and IN dry weather too
hari. Such soil naturally holds a crea, deal
OF manure 1t really preserves barn yard, or
stable manure, and prevents lis iermcnting
OF decomPosing rapidly. aud It's subsequent
utility. Such soil should bc J,lougbed dee D
and often, and pulverized a. much a. posi-
ole II it is low land. lew deep drains
will pay we'll. Then manure il every year
by pionghinr IN strong, concentrated. sol.
uble fertilizer. in small bulk something ,ha,
has been prepared and iermenicd. and il
al ready TO give up its vslusbls con tiiueni :
at once; and It IS beet to use some OF The
same fertilizer on the surface. above the seed
ai.er planting.
\ light SOL IS loose and granular, it rare.
ly contains too much wS'.r. and dries rapid.
iy. IL Is more easily worked and generally
gives earlier hlrvests Than the other kinl
but it will not hold the manure 50 we'll. -
Deep plou.hing i, recommended for al
New England soil. tu; When il is sandy. q
less soluble and more bulky manure should
be plouched 10. ADD rich fertilizer pot OF
top, near to the seed. ere IL Is needed
nj planning. so that The rains vii carry !
down 10 the roots Of thc young plants -
Weeds generally thrive best in sanly soil.
In Germany, sau l.. frequently added &,
ela!ey soils. and clay j. put on 10 Hsh
soils. and mu h benefit is derived iron
such mixing. Il the co { Of handling be moi
too great At FIRST. But COOL farming n
produce the proper kinl OF crop from either
soil, without mixing the sand or clay.
The action OF the sun. avs upon The
earth is modified bv the color. position An a
dampncss Of the soil. more than by 60, com.
position. and tbi. j. ma ter ,ha, Shout,
have the best consideration Of al arrirul
turis;5. Daik coIored soil. viii sb.ori
much mote bea. from the sun than hose O
light color
Lastly. The farmer should constantly re-
member that the labor. which he 5csfow
upon the soil itself. vii bring better re-