The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-30
AG RIG IT U r. AL,


on agriculture, and in the views which he
expresses we so heartily concur that we
reproduce them:
/. Removing the water from the pores
admits tho air, which is essential to the
growth of the roots.
9. The roots extend farther and deeper
into the soil, get lirmar hold upon it, and
draw nourishment from larger area.
8. The air decom poses vegetable matter,
and thus furnishes organic food for the
growing plant.
4. The air and other gases decompose
the earthly parts of the soil, and thus pro-
vide new inorganic food.
s. The free circulation of air in the soil
carries in ammonia, and other fertilizing
substances to the roots of plants.
6. The presence of water causes the soils
to bake, SO as to render them hard to work
AMI also to prevent the free growth and ex-
pansion of roots.
7. When all access of water is removed,
compact and clay soils become light and
puverized by working them.
s. The free access of air renders poison
GUS compounds of iron, Manganese, &c.,
inert, and clover and other deep rooted
crops will not be killed, but they will con-
tinue to grow and flourish from year to
year.
8. The depth to which the roots pene-
trate 10 soils, freed from poisons and filled
with air, secures to the plants sufficient
moisture to withstand the surface effects of
drouth.
10. In hot weather, the circulation of
warm, moist air through the open mouth
drains the soil, condenses moisture in
the cooler soil, and furnishes additional
security against drouth.
IL. The air circulating in the soil de-
composes acids aud removes "sourness."
~. The removal of the standing water
allows warmth, which cannot descend
through body of water, to penetrate
farther into the soil.
10. By causing the water to descend
into drains, instead of evaporating from
the surface, another chief source of cold
ness is removed.
a. Rains, in descending through the
grouad, carry the heat of the atmosphere
with them, and thus warm the soil and
roots of plants.
Is. Draining, by rapidly removing the
water in the spring, and after heavy rains,
and by warmisg the soil, is equivalent to
frightening the season, and gives wider
range of cultivated plants, and longer
time for blowing and working the ground.
16. Land freed from excess of moisture,
expands much less in freezing, aud the
roots of wheat, clover and other crops re-
naming in the ground over winter, are
not destroyed by winter kill.
II. Water, by sinking through the soil
into drains, is prevented from washing the
surface into gullies, and from carrying away
into streams the rich soluble portion of
soils and manures.
These reasons we believe are sufficient to
induce farmers to inquire into the condi-
ton of their soils, and TO try the expert
ment of draining upon at least small per-
ton of their wettest lands. The expert
ment need not be on large scale. A
single acre well drained will suffice to
show whether this means of improvement
may be proftaby extended. maryland
Farmer.
HINTS ON THE PoTATo CRoP.-I send
you, in condensed form, few hints relative
to the potato crop. Preparation of the
soil, manuring, ETC., is now, / suppose,
pretty generally understood. / allude
particularly to garden or month of March
planting.
LIST. Procure the Early Rose, Quaker, or
Goodrich. These three sorts ripen in sue
cesson.
I'd. Cut off the butt or refuse end of the
potato, the remainder in pieces averaging
inches in diameter-one strong, vigorous
bud to each sett.
Sd. Spread them in dry, airy loft
to harden.
4th. After laying about five days, "black
water the sets, and sift dry ashes over
them.
9Th. Shovel up and mix, that the sets
may DO equally benefited.
9th. Plow out burrows about six inches
deep.
It'll. Plant ten inches apart, follow with
manure.
9Th. Cover with a one-horse pillow, run
ming the pillow on either side.
9th. Roll, harrow if you will, the ridges
down fat.
10th. Previous to cultivation, top-dress
the vines with mixture of hen droppings
and ashes, or superphosphate.
Plant the sets from the small end of the
potato separate, which will be tho first to
ripeu.
Planting more than one sound bud to
each sett, is superfuous and a serious waste
Of seed.
By using the potato scoop, instead of a
knife, full one-half the potatoes may be