The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-04-15
Green Nanures for Poor Lands.

Green Nanures for Poor Lands
Perhaps nothing in the whole province
of farming engrosses so much attention OF
those interested, as tho question OF pre-
serving or increasing the fertility OF the
SOIL
1t is not 90 difficult to mako worn-out
and barren land produce good crops, as
one would suppose from hasty view OF
the innumerabIe failures to be seen all
around. If the needful properties to grow
crops are not in the soil, it is in vain to
SOW, and plant, without first putting them
there or it they are there, but locked up,
without first making the necessary con-
ditions to release them, aud give them
vitality. Every observing farmer knows
that it is far easier to produce grass than
wheat, and a common remark among
farmers is 'sif can raise a crop OF clover
am sure can raise wheat" One OF the
means OF raising lands is to get it TO pro-
duce clover, and plow it down when in
tull bloom. But clover contains large
percentage of potash, and in rolls already
ubundantly supplied with this, such a.
slate and shalc lands, it is better to mix
the clover with other grasses.
Farmers know that an old sod field
farmed in corn, yields the largest crops,
and that the best crops of wheat are
raised from it. Why? The field has been
left lying until different kind of grasses
have grown up, each one gathering differ.
ent substances from the atmosphere, and
carrying them down into the sell through
the roots, and enriching it. Hence when
a crop of corn or wheat is planted all tho
substances necessary for its growth and
perfect development have been provided
for It's use.
By tho application of lime on such soil
the decomposition of 6brous matter in
the Soils hastened, and they are conver-
ted into plant food. If too much is ap-
piled, heavy growth of straw is pro-
duced, and it will grow SO rank as TO
lodge and yield very little grain. By
using smaller quantity OF lime, 30 as TO
make . healthy growth of straw, the
heads will fill we'll and the grain mature;
for it is found that when the straw does
not make an overgrowth the head gener-
ally fills perfectly. The object to be
sought is TO know what elements are
needed in the soil, and in what conditions,
to produce the crop we wish to grow.
There is no doubt that il wo should give
to the soil all the constituents Of the crop,
each year, we could always count with
reasonable certainty on large yield.
Wore the constituent elements Of wheat
inoxhaustible in the sell, we might sow
and reap, year after year, without dimin-
ution in the yield or quality. On the
contrary they are easily exhausted, and
unless supplied, it is not long until we
can raise no crop at all.
Wheat contains lime, soda and chlorine.
Soda and chlorine mako common salt.
The sowing of common salt on wheat
fields must be advantageous. 1t is be-
lieved to strengthen the straw and make
it hard, thus preventing rust. Rust ap-
pears only on straw of soft, luxuriant
growth, which cracks open easily, leaving
the Juices to ooze out and escape. The
action of the hot sun and moisture upon
this, readily produces rust. Especially is
this the case with wheat grown in low
soil where the dampness is great.
The never failing quantity of plantfood
foutins in the atmosphere is ever avail.
able tor promoting the growth and devel.
opnent of plants In this availability
there is O marked difference between that
in the air and the vegetable nutriment
locked up in the soil. The atmosphere is
sure to nour;sh growing plants whenever
the tender leaves opon their pours to
take in tho nourishmcnts it furnishes. 1t
builds up the stem and developes the va
rious parts of the plant Not so with the
roots OF the plant 1t may send forth it,
rootleLs in every direction, seeking food
and yet tumisll, droop and die, because
tho vegetable mattcr is not in on avaiIa
Bile condition to promote its growth. As
it is impossible for every farmer to get
stable manure in sufficient quantity to
enrich his land, hu must look to the green
vegetable manure supplied by nature. 1t
is tho principle source OF manure on the
earth, aud us such it mnst be supplied hy
the farmer if he would secure bis own
greatest advancement. by green man
ures is OF course, meant vegetable man
ures plowed down.
Observing farmers are well aware that
green manuros tructify the sol, and that
It pays best to plow down clover, mixed
grasses, oats, buckwhcat and sowed corn
They should not fear to lose Il crop OF
hay, or miss u crop of oats, or rye, OF
buckwheat by so doing, for the sacrifice
of one crop will enable them to raise half
n dozen crops with profit. Every year
green crops should be plowed down, in
the absence Of abundance OF barnyard