Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-02-22
Scientific FARMING.

is much land in the country
too wet to produce remunerative crops. af
ter the effects of the ashes produced on the
frs: clearing, and the virgin strength of
the soil is exhausted. The surplus water
in this land stagnates, putrifes and be-
comes poisonous to plants, or produces on
" plants of low order, innutritious and
scanty. Science teaches us to construct
drains in this land from D to 8 feet in
depth, by which the stagnant water is pass
ed off giving an opportunity for the soil to
be filled with water from the clouds, which
is not only warmer, but charged with en-
riching gases from the atmosphere. 1t al
so, after turning over the surface, loosens |
the subsoil to still greater depth, thus
giving opportunity for the air to enter for
a considerable depth, and there exert its
enriching influence.
Much plant food which before lay dor
mant becomes dissolved, and the soil starts
on a new career of productiveness.
IRRIGATIoN-Thism means the watering
of land, and though it cannot in every sit
uation be practiced to profit, can sometimes
be to great advantage.
THE PURCHASE OF MANUREs, OR FEED
ING STUFFs.-There are several articles of
commerce, as phosphate of guano, &c,
which used in connection with farm ma
nure, have been found to be very good and
profitable. 1t will not do to depend ON
these to the neglect of ordinary manure of
the farm, but the farmer who makes ju-
dicious choice of these, in connection with
his home manure, wisely adapting the
whole to the various crops he cultivates,
does not fail to realize profitable return
for his outlay Besides the purchase of
manures, the purchase of food for animals,
such as grain, oilcake, &C., when opportu
nifty affords is often found more profitable
than commercial manures, because the food
generally gives a return in butter, meat or
meal, sufficient to meet the outlay, leaving
the manure a clear gain. In England and
some other countries the farmers have by
these means brought the land to a very
high state of productiyeness.
WELL-BRED ANIMALS AND HIGH FEED
ING.-Here is a great reason of the success
of scientific farmers. The enhanced prod
uct of the soil produced by means unknown
to former theories, is fed to animals better
calculated to make profitable returns for
! Il r i i l. e.
mails have improved by selection and good
treatment, included in which last is good
and abundant feeding so that a greater
amount of valuable product is realized
from the food consumed. But this is 8
matter so extensive and important as to de
serve consideration in a separate article.
SOILING IN SUMNER AND RoOTs N
WNTER.-Soiling means feeding cattle
with cultivated crops, such as corn, clover
oats, peas, &c, cut green and fed to then
in their stalls. Why this method is term
ed soiling is not clearly understood, Blu
the practice has many advantages, partic
ularly the increase of manure. 1t is sup
posed that the urine of an animal vii
alone, properly managed, produce as mucl
feed as is requisite to keep the ANIMAL
Hence a great increase of manure can b.
effected by this means. and a much create
! amount of stock kept on a given area. !
of course requires considerable labor, an
in some sections, on account of the abund
! ance of space for cattle range, might not b
advisable; yet there are sections where
has been found of the greatest advantage
! and in all sections should be practiced i
part, 50 as to supply stock with feed in this
part of the season when in the best of pas
: ures the feed viii be short. As for root
. it can hardly be necessary to expatiate o
their Importance. This is quite general
admitted, though not so generally receive
by farmers as would be for their benefi
. Yet their culture is progressing, and ii
:. time is doubtless near when they will ent,
largely into the means of sustaining larl
amount of excellent farm stock.
% The items here enumerated do not con
m prise the Whole OF what Is termed mig
* aIming-doubtless were intended only
"a specimen. Neither is it to be suppose
IT that all means of elevating our agricultu
= are yet discovered. But improvement
,e going on, discoveries are multiplying, al
a the time will come when agriculture wi
,e stand among the highest as an art, al
" when the wilderness and the solitary pia
10 shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoi
IN and blossom as the rose. "-Naine Farm,