The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-07-12
Sandy SOiiS and their management.

The character and treatment of san.
dy soils arc in almost every par,icu-
lar tho reverse Of those of clay They
DO not posses the property of adhc.
sivcness, and they have but little af-
tinity for water, which escapes from
them almost NJ soon as it falls. They
havo but slight hold upon tho ma.
nures which arc ditfuso;l through
them ; they a,e loose in their texture,
and may be plowed at any time with
equal advantage, provided the SOW.
ing or planting is to follow immedi.
ateiy.
AS clay soils are much benefited
by a mixture ofsand, 80 likewise are
sandy soils greatly improved by the
addition of clay, in much higher
degree, to add sand to clay, yet tho
addition of n few loads Of tho stifFcst
clay to light sand, would in almost
every instance much more than com.
pensato for tho trobulc and expense.
For this purpose, the clay should be
thinly spread in autumn apon sward
land previously plowcd and the win
tors frost will cfcctually separate
the particles. 1t should then be har~
rowed thoroughly and deeply in the
spring, and subsequently piowod if
necessary.
Such dressing on light, crawling
land is moro than equivalent to any
equal quantity Of tho best manure,
and will be permanent in its effects.
Clay and sand are necessary to
each other as they contain qualities
which are essential to good soil :;
and that will always bo found tho
best which has tho proper proportion of
each.
Sandy coils are improved by the
frequent uso Of heavy roller it
cannot bc used too often. They re-
quire to he mado more compact, and
any treatment that secures this OBJ
ject will be advantageous.
Lime, by it's chemical action on tho
constituents Of soils, while it sopa.
rates clay rcndors sand moro adhe
si'e and whom chcnply obtained, it
is always profitable dressing for
sandy soils, to tho full amount that
it may require. Gypsum, in consid.
cradle quantities, has an effect SINH
lar to tho lime, both on clay and
sand and when added in small por.
tions produces . striking Increase
IN tho crops of sandy noils. Clay
mar!s containing either carbonic, sui.
phate or phosphate Of lime. are of
great value TO sandy soils. Equally
beneficial arc ashes, leached or un-
leaohed. pont or vegetable manures
ofany kind. Some calcareous sands
containing a large proportion Of lima
'ike those OF Egypt and extensive 70.
gions III the BArbary States, will
produce luxuriantly, if supplied
with slight addition of manure and
an abundance Of water. Sandy soils
can never be profitably cultivated till
they have acquired sufficient com pa ct.
ness and fertility to sustain good
growth Of grass or clover, and whom
once brought to this condition thoy
are among the most valuable.
They arc at all times easily plowcd
and worked they require no drain.
ing, and though light and dry, arc
q"iek and kindly soils, giving an i'm
mediate and full roturn for the labor
and manure bestowed upon them.
when III condition to produce grass
sheep arc admirably adapted to pre-.
serve and augment their fertility.
and by thoir inccssant miuratiuns
over it, their sharp hoofs pack the
surface closely producing the same ef.
feet as tho roller.
Gravcl'y soils arc in some respects
similar to san", but much less desira