Middletown transcript., 1870-08-27
Ghe farmer.
FACTS FOR FARMERS.

Some twenty years ago, the Prairie Far
mer published the following facts. To-
day, as then, they apply with great force,
and we are glad to have the opportunity
to place them before our readers -
All soils on which clover or the grasses
are grown, must either have lime in them
naturally, or that mineral must be artif-
cially supplied. 1t matters but little wheth-
er it be supplied in the form of stone-lime,
oyster-lime, or mari.
All permanent improvement of lands
must look to lime as its basis.
Lands which have been long in culture.
will be benefited by the application of
phosphate of lime; and it is unimportant
whether the deficiency be supplied in tho
form of bone-dust, guano, native phos-
phate of lime, composts of fresh ashes, or
that of oyster -lime-or marl-if the
land needs lime also.
No lands can be preserved in high
state of fertility unless clover and the
grasses are cultivated in the course of ro-
tation.
Mould is indispensable in every soil.
and healthy supply can alone be preserv-
ed through the cultivation of clover and
the grasses, the turning in of green crops,
or by the application of composts rich in
the elements of mould.
All highly concentrated animal manur-
es are increased in value, and their bene-
fit prolonged by admixture with plaster,
salt, or well pulverized charcoal.
Deep ploughing greatly improves tho
productive powers of every variety Of soil
that is not wet.
Subsoiling sound land, that is, land
that is not wet, is also eminently condu-
Give to increased production.
All wet land should be drained.
All grain crops should be harvested be-
fore the grain is thoroughly ripe.
Clover, as we'll as the grasses, intended
for hay, should be moved when in bloom
Sandy lands can be most effectually i'm
proved by clay. When such lands require
lining or marling, the lime or mari is most
benefcially applied when made into COM
post with clay. In Stacking lime, salt
brine is better than water
The chopping or grinding of grain to
be fed to stock operates as saving of at
least twenty-five per cent.
Draining of wet lands and marshes adds
to their value by making them produce
more, and by improving the health of
neighborhoods.
To manure, or lime wet lands, is to
throw manure, lime, and the labor away.
Shallow ploughing operates to impover-
ish the soil, while it decreases production.
BY stabling and shedding stock through
the winter, saving of one-fourth the food
may be effected that is, one-fourth less
food will answer than when the stock may
be exposed to inclemencies of the weather.
A bushel of plaster per acre, sown broad
cast over clover, will add one hundred
per cent. to its produce.
Periodical applications of ashes tend to
lengthen the integrity Of soils by supplying
most, if not all, of the organic substances.
Thorough preparations of land is abso-
lutely necessary to the successful and lux
uriant growth of crops.
Abundant crops cannot be grown for q
succession of years unless care be taken
to provide an equivalent for the substances
carried off the land in the products grown
thereon.
To preserve meadows in their produc-
tivencss, it is necessary to harrow them
every second autumn, apply top dressing,
and roll them up.
All stiff clays are benefited by fall and
winter ploughings, but should never be
ploughed when wet. If at such plough
ing the furrow be materially deepened.
lime, mari or ashes should be supplied.
Young stock should be moderately fed
with grain in winter, and receive gener-
GUS supplies of long provender, it being
essential to keep them in a fir condition,
in order that the formation of muscle.
bones, &c. may be encouraged and coutin-
uously carried on If stinted in food they
will be dwarfed in size.