Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-08-21
firm md TonseltnId.
Grass as a Renovation of the Soil.


TIE age has not yet developed one of its
greatest benefits; but it is fast approach
ing it, namely, the benefit of grass, beth as
a forage plant, and as renovator of the
soil. We have two-fold benefit here !;
and each is important. 1t is this, more
than anything else, that improves our SOIL
Dairying and the use of clover do this. So
great is this advantage that it is fast be-
coming universal, so far at least as it is
practicable. Diaries are being multiplied,
and rapidly, not only from the benefit
which results from their product-whlch
is equal, perhaps, to that of grain, and
superior in many localities-but for the
effect upon the soil; this is never uncer-
tain, but may be relied upon at all times.
And it is the right kind of Improvement;
, it is what the soil has grown, and will
grow again and it is readily converted
into plant food; season will do it efec-
tually--half season will prepare it (the
roots) for use. How readily we change a
sod for the reception of seed in the fall
1t is but simply blowing, and then wait
ing but few months and the work is
done, the soil is improved. There has
been no saving of manure, no drawing !;
no spreading, etc. All is in the soil
already, and needs but attention as soil
We thus readily and in the easiest manner
improve and keep up our land. For many
years continued land with profit mean
while) the improvement is almost miracu-
1ous, and most delightful to witness. And
we may grow our grasses as strong as we
please; use what manure we please. 1t
will but thicken the sod; add fertility,
both in the manure and in the sod, so that
according to the benefit land not the loss)
q L. Al ,r,xfO Of ho
other. This is the beauty of the opera
gtion, getting first the good, and then the
Improvement, good also, and in proper
ton to the first A very heavy, old sod,
that has received more or less manure, is
perhaps unexcelled for most crops-per-
haps for all crops-for we have never seen
any i'll effects, but only good, from the use
of the sod 1t is particularly grateful to
fruit trees, the smaller fruits, grapevines,
etc, and ranks with leaf-mCuld, chip
manure, weddings of the garden, etc. For
corn we think there is no manure equal to
it in a good season. We think so be-
cause we have seen it. Now, rank ma
nure, strong manure OF any KIND VIII
benefit corn; corn is a strong feeder. But
still sod is the reliance-in the old set
tied portions of the country practlced
largely. 1t is curious that vegetable
MISUNDERSTANDING should have such an
inAuence-an influence great in proper
ton to what it seems to possess. Thus
few leaves have perceptible effect upon
the grapevine A good coat of leaves APP
piled in the fall--covered slightly with
soil-will give yield the ensuing season
, that can hardly be credited to the leaves
alone. Yet such is the fact. Let vegeta-
bic manure be applied to the Wilson straw
berry, and q similar effect will taFe place.
Now, sod has depth, and therefore guam
tity and richness. There is much more of
it than of the thickest coat of manure we
apply. 1t would pay to raise sod, aside
from its benefit as grass, merely to en-
rich. 1t is hence that sod is becoming so
general. But sod should be treated prop
erly You can bury it too deeply. For
grain or for grass no one would turn it in
deep, but pillow shallow, just turning the
sward well, with some mellow soil to cover
the roots. This will keep the richness at
the top where it is wanted. For corn,
there is deeper furrow; the sod is put
where the roots of the corn, which ex-
tend downward, will appropriate it, and
at the time when it is well fermented, the
fermenting process heating the soil, and
extending its effect upward toward the
r. roots as if to invite them. They soon
reach this bed of rotted vegetation; this,
when sod is plowed in the spring, as is
the most successful practice. For fruit
trees sod has a high reputation-and it
deserves ii. Here it may be put in as far
as.the pillow will admit, or may be worked
through the soil; either will do, only let
there be stiff, old sod. Sod loosens the
aesoi,G mellows it. 1t is just the reverse Of
clogging and compacting. The long tap
root of clover will loosen; and roots Of the
grasses will do the same, the one above
> the other below and above. Hence one
advantage of using the two in connection,
a practice universal in New York and
other places. If on such soil, thoroughly
penetrated with roots, and for years, with
. additions of top-dressings, and a coat of
rich, fermenting manures added, as is
sometimes done, the greatest results are
effected. The soil is thoroughly mellow
if drained, either artifcially or other
wise-well enriched with the right kind
of pabulum, and will grow anything.
Such soils are the soils that are needed;
and we can make them, and with profit in
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