The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-17
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,
Prince Georges County, Nd,

fttc utOfycS COuHy, Hu.,
Mr.. EDITOR In a recent communication
on the subject of husbandry in Japan, |
cited some facts which go far to explain the
successful cultivation of the land in that
country, and the causes of its ability to sus-
tain such large population on so small an
area of surface.
Among the chief of these was the inva-
rlable rule of compensation, for all of the
elements of plant food which are carried
off the land in the shape of understandable
produce. This rule was always observed
whether the land was rich or poor. The
peasant having perpetual lease of his farm,
was equally interested with his landlord in
the permanence of its productiveness. And
he, therefore, took pains to preserve that
condition of the soil which would enable
him to derive the most profit, not for one
year, or for three, but for all the time in
order that his children, as well as himself,
might profit by the lease. -..z.
In England, millions are paid out for
guanos, ground bones, saltpetre and tape
coke, which are obtained in foreign lands
and much food is purchased abroad also,
But IN Japan, the rule of compensation
and the careful collection and preservation
of the droppings of the human race, to-
gether with system of deep and thorough
culture, obyiates all this. While the Eng
Eshman holds that "the more fodder the
more flesh; the more flesh the more man
ure; the more manure the more grain. y
the Japanese peasant knows but one axiom.
VIZ. without continuous manuring there
can be no continuous production, And
with this assumed fact constantly in his
mind, he pursues the even tenor of his ae-
ricultural way, without fear of disappoint-
ment.
Deep cultivation of the soil is now very
generally admitted, among modern writers
on agriculture, to be one of the secrets of
success in high cultivation. And the only
objection which is occasionally raised. IS
that it requires so large supply of man
ure.
But in Japan it is practiced universally
and in high perfection. With great deptb
of loose and arabic soil, and a plentiful
store of mineral constituents, deep tillage
becomes easy. And in consequence. It Is
not uncommon to find plat of ground.
which had been covered with a growth Of
wheat but ten days before with one-half
transformed into swamp, and the farmer
sinking up to his knees, while planting his
rice whilst the other half is a dry plat
raised two or two and half feet above the
rice swamp, and ready to receive cotton.
sweet potatoes, or buclxwheat. While the
whole of this work has been done by the
farmer and his small family.
But the introduction and constant mo-
gress of deep tillage have been powerfully
assisted by the practice pursued from time
immemorial of groaoing all crops IN drills !
And in this way has France and Germany,
by the cultivation of the sugar-heat. deem,
ened the arabic soils of the land and IL
creased the productiveness in like propor-
ton.
But it may be said this system will re-
qulre more manure than we can collect on
our lands SO 1t does in Japan, in France,
and in Germany. But the large cities re-
turned supply to balance the produce car
ried from the land.
And we have now great advantage over
those people, for, with the assistance of
chemical knowledge, the contents of the
prlvles can be made imodorous and dry by
a simple means, add with small outlay ;(see
the earth-closet system for example,) while
In those countries it was carried for miles.
and even hundreds of miles in the offensive
condition, as found in the privies. How
wide Is the difference between this system
and that which has prevailed in our coun-
try ? The Japanese never breaks up a
plat of ground unless he possesses a small
stock OF manure to insert in that ground.
and even then, he cultivates the new plat
only to the extent of his supply of manure,
While, with us, the trees on forest plat
are cut down, the timber sold, the land
grubbed, ploughed, and titled, in at least
three cereal crops, without the least supply
of manure.
Can it be wondered at then that our
lands will not continue to produce like those
in Japan? A horse will not continue to
do his usual amount of work without food
a grist mill cannot supply its usual amount /
OF Hour without the water to propel its main
wheel. Nor can our lands be expected.
with reason, to produce the usual crops
unless we adopt system of compensation
or all the plant-food which is carried off
and sold with the marketable produce.
But | have recently heard of two in
stances in Anne Arundel county of the
profits derived from high culture and lber-
al manuring.
One Tin the case of Paymaster Goldsboro)
where 81 100 worth of strawberries were
'old from two and half acres. And the
'ther near Brooklyn, where 81 800 were
'old from two acres! When old Prince
ieorge's can do no better than that, in the
I'D system of cultivation, | shall believe
here is no necessity Of change, but, until
omethmg better is done, than | usually
zee around me, my motto is "1empora
aaadatao and nos m,aonoy IN alss.v
Yours, &c.. Al