Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-10-04
+. Gte farm.
How to Treat Leachy Soil.

s~A~ ~~SS ~ SA1Js WOaO potIAOuLdIly III
shaley soil. and in sand and gravel de-
posts. Drift has it largely Not unfre-
quently our river and creek bottoms ex-
hibit it.
This soil requires particular treatment,
and it must depend for its success largely
upon manure applied on the surtace.-I
This is the secret of the unsuccessful
treatment of this soil. Applied at the
top, it will take longer to find its way
down to the sub-soil, and will take in the
roots in its way and the farther the roots
extend downward.the more benefit will be
obtained.
For this reason fruit trees are success
full on leacby soil. The best of success is
often obtained in this way. The roots
penetrate deeply. the earth being porous.
and the manure, before it gets beyond
their reach. will have been pretty we'll taken
up. The warm rains carry their fertility
down. All decomposed matter-rotten
grass, stubble, &c. finds its way down
to the roots, and benefits the plant or tree.
II requires frequent slight applications
rather than occasional and heavy dressings
The latter are wasteful more or less; for
such soil not only let's the manure down,
but permits the gases to ascend, no suffi-
GENTLY attractive influence of the soil be-
ing present to hold them all, as in the case
of clay and lime. Plaster is benefit.
decidedly. Such soil needs-though it
may not be practicable to apply it-clay,
or clay and lime. For a garden, or 3
choice spot. it will do, or where thorough
cultivation on small scale is practicable,
though then there must be convenient ac-
cess; and this, I am glad to say, is the
case to a large extent. Beds of clay are
found numerously scattered. through the
country. These are so much manure to
the land, as well as the means of improv-
ing, or giving to-. it, its..texture, and its
power of retention-not. perhaps, manure
in the common sense of the term, but hav-
ing favorable influence on the growth of
plants. I remember an instance record
ed by Mr.. K. A. Willard, in which clay
was carted uron the land with decided
beneft-bene6t to the crop.
I have had similar experience myself.
living as I do in clay country.
I am in favor of using lime on this
leaehy soil, in small quantities, applied
frequently. Let it be air-slacked lime.
aad harrowediin or otherwise used on the
surface-never turned down when applied.
Plaster and ashes should be pretty plenti-
fully .applied-plaster yearly where lime
is kept in the soil, and pretty freely with.
out the lime. i
The hme. having a strong tendency to
settle down, will soon be out of the tilla-
BILE soil and coursing through the sub-soil
Here it will still do its work. The warm
rain water which reaches it, and which is
not wholly deprived of its fertility. will
influence it and be affected in turn in con-
nection with the soil thus letting loose val
liable matter. which, in the form of gas,
ascends, and what reaches the surface is
held by the sulphate applied, and taken
up BY the enriched soil and the roots.
There are other means, no doubt. that
could be used to improve the soil; but the
best of all beyond question is the use of
compost. Let there be three or more
parts of clay to one of manure-as much
clay as you please, the more the better.
Apply this and you will have a surface
that will prevent the escape Of all the gas,
and will hold the strength Of the manure.
giving it only as the plants require it,
This used largely-it cannot we'll be used
too largely-will have its effect, and the
effect will be lasting. Lime may be mix
ed with the compost in this case with adj
vantage, the whole forming the best pos
sible coat for this kind of soil.
Such sod or top soil. when turned down,
should be turned down but slightly-three
or four inches will do. There is enough
porosity below; the roots will not lack to
find their way down. and deep at that. if
necessary, occupying much space to get
what food they require. The surface root
ing plants will, of course, remain in the
made soil, and they will thrive there as
never before. especially If another coat be
added. In this way-by frequent appli-
cations of such compost-a more or less
permanent soil may be made. paying we'll
while it is making, and changing its leaehy
character.
Garry the manure to the clay-bed, and
there make the compost, if it be practical
BILE Dor use soil composed largely of clay.
Pass in straw, muck, salt, refuse matter
from various sources. the clearings of the
stables, &c., but let soil, clay soil. pure
clay if possible, be the main ingredient.
and letthis clay be powdered when put in.
Exposure to the frost and rains will do
this.
A soil thus treated may be made one of
the best paying investments. You have
it already drained. and better drained than
can be done artifcially. This drainage is
reliable, and will never need looking to.
The soil is porous, and will always remain
so, giving the roots chance, and firmly
holding tree, disposirg it to health and
sound growth. There is no efauvium.
Rain. however excessive. will pass of
at once, retaining only what moisture is
needed. And drouth, for orchards. will
PASS BY with little Or no harm, the soets
finding moisture in the great depths
Even. the grain is less affected than stub
born5elay soil.e cracking and becoming
hard.4Cof. Country Gentleman. ,