Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-09-16
Jlte Shenandoah 4teraid.
Rates Of Advertising
Agrifultnral 8eading.
TO IMPROVE SANDY SOILS.

There is, very erroneous but strong
impression on some minds, that light,
loose sands are valueless for purposes Of
cultivation. In their natural state, it is
true, they are not very productive; few
crops Of rye or buckwheat reduces their
fertility, and SO much manure is thence
forth requisite to reinvigorate and keep
them in heart that they are either turned
out to pasture or abandoned in despair.
| have had some experience in the culti-
Walton of this species of soil, and my sue
cess has induced me to attach to them
much higher degree of Importance than is
usually accorded And | am fully per-
suaded that even the slightest and most
sterile sands may, by proper management,
and without any ruinous outlay of expense,
either in time Or capital, be made highly
and permanently productive; in short, that
our poorest plains land can be redeemed
from this unjust imputation of utter worth
lessness, and made to yield not only re-
munerating crops, but crops equaling in
abundance and richness those afforded by
eth most affluent soils upon which labor
has ever yet been bestowed
In the first place, in order to the sue
cessful amelioration Of sandy soils, it will
be necessary completely and thoroughly
to cleanse them IRONS Jumps. After this
is effected, let them be plowed deeply,
with strong team, in the last of summer,
turning in all the wild growth upon them
to the depth Of at least one foot; then har-
row thoroughly and roll with as heavy a
roller as you can procure. The next thing
is to give the surface a good dressing Of
clay. This earth will generally be found
in the near vicinity of the field to be clayed,
either in some neighboring run OR water
course, or beneath the sand, for sand and
clay are never far apart. The finer it is,
and the more greasy, the better and more
durable will be its action; and the more
literally it is applied. the more thoroug
will be the Improvement consequent upon
its application. The best time for apply
ing it is Immediately after blowing, and to
secure its being refined and broken up, it
should be deposited in heaps and spread
evenly over the surface, to remain exposed
during the winter to the action Of the
frost. In the spring pillow again, not so
deeply as before, in order not to disturb
the sward, harrow and again roll. You
can now sow on rye, or plant, and the
crop will come off in season to allow you
an opportunity to give another dressing
of clay, which in quantity should be equal
to the frst-saY forty cord to the acre
and spread as before.
This will entirely change the texture Of
the soil, as you will no longer have the
barrenaess of sand to contend with, but a
soil endued with all the essential requisites
of permanent and vigorous fertility, and
on which manure will act with as much
celebrity and energy as upon the richest
loans. 1t may be thought that the
quantity of clay recommended-eighty
cords to the acre-is large, but when we
reflect that some cultivators bestow this
amount of stable manure, and bear in
mind the very important fact that while
manure is an article for which money has
to be paid, the whole cost of clay is en-
bracea in the in carting, the objection
arising from the quantity requisite to in-
sure complete and thorough improve
ment being large will at once cease to re-
tain its force. If the farmer cannot afford
this, he can apply less quantity at first,
and add to it year by year but in this
case he must be contented with much
less lucrative return from his annual
labors, as very large percentage of clay
is called for, in order thoroughly to i'm
prove the soil, and overcome the many and
serious imperfections ofsand as it naturally
exists. Therefore it is much better and
more in accordance with the policy #
enlightened economy, to give enough at
first to effect the object desired, and ent5f
at once into the profits Of the business,
than to occupy years with only limited
annual return.
One great reason-and indeed regard
it as the peincipal one-why manure never
acts vigorously on light sands is, that the
extreme perosity which characterizes it,
causes the dung to keep dry, an d con-
sequently to remain inert. A lump of
dry manure is no better in soil than
chip or stone, and will produce just the
same effect upon the crop. The clay
gives cohesiveness to the particles, unites
them by sort of glutinous attachment
and consolidation, and while it favors the
absorption and retention of moisture.
ensures the fermentation and ultimate
decomposition of the dung. In few
years the soil will assume fine dark
appearance, resembling garden mould,
and the various grasses will find it
bed capable of afording expansion to their
roots, and supply moisture and soluble
food commensurate with their wants.
To every person, therefore, who is the
possesor of sandy soil, would say, clay
1t at once No soil is SO easily worked,
and from no soil, when managed in this
way, will labor secure to itself more
certain and rich reward.-Cor. German
town Telegraph.
To MAKE Coon VINEGAR. Take ten
gallons of apple juice fresh from the press,
and suffer it to ferment fully, which may