Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-08-28
agricultural
How to Treat Leachy Soil.


generally found in spots, som etimes in large
tracts Of land even whole townships are
embraced by it. IL usually occurs in the
absence Of clay, more particularly in shaley
soil, and in sand and gravel deposits. Drift
has it largely Not infrequently our river
and creek bottoms exhibit it.
This soil requires parti sular treatment,
aud il must depend for its success largely
upon manure applied on the surface. This
ia the secret of the successful treatment of
this soil. Applied at the top, it will take
longer to find It's way down TO the sub-soiI,
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 successful
on Ieachy 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 well taken up. The
warm rains carry their fertility down. All
decomposed matter-rotton grass, stubble
sc. finds It's way down to the roots, and
benefits the plant or the tree.
1t requires frequent slight applications
rather than occasional and heavy dressing.
The latter are wasteful more or less; tor
such soil not only lets the manure down but
permits the gases TO ascend, no sufficiently
attractive influence of the soil being present
TO hold them all as in the case of clay and
lime Plaster Is a benefit, decidedly Such
soil needs-though it may not be practicable
to apply it-clay or clay and lime For
garden, or a choice spot, it will do, or where
thorough cultivation on small scale is
practicable, though then there must be con
venient access and this, | glad TO saw
IS the case 10 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 improving. or
giving to its it texture and it's power of re-
tentiOn-not, perhaps, manure in the com
mon sense Of the term, but having a favor
able influence on the growth of plants. |
remember an instance recorded by Mr. X A.
Willard IN which clay was carted upon the
land with decided beneft-benefit to the
crop.
| have had similar experience myself,
living as do in a clay country
am in favor OF using lime on this leachy
soil, IN small quantities, applied frequently.
Let it he air-slacked lime, and narrowed in
or otherwise used on the surlace-never
turned down when applied Plaster and
ashes should be pretty pleDtifully applied
plaster yearly where lime is kept IN the soil,
and pretty freely without the lime.
The lime, having a strong tendency to
settle down, will soon be out of the tiliable
soil and coursng through the subsoil. Here |
it will still do its work. The warm rain
water which reaches it, and which is not
Only deprived OF its fertility, will influence
It and be affected IN turn in connection with /
the soil, thus letting loose valuable matter. |
which, in the form of gas, ascends, and what 4
reaches the surface Is held by the suIpbate /
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, beyont question, is the use OF /
compost Let there be three or moro parts /
of clay to one of manure-as much clay as
you please the more the better. Apply this /
and you will have surface that Will pre-
vent 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
1t cannot well be used too largely-will have
it's effect, and the effect will be lasting. [
Lime may be mixed with the compost in
this case with advantage, the whole forming
the best possible coat for this kind of soil.
Such sod or top soil, when turned down,
should be turned down but lightly-three or
four inches will do. There IS enough Do
rosity below, the roots will not lack to find
their way down, and deep at that, if neces-
sary, occupying much space to get what food
they require. The surface-rooting plants
will, OF course, remain in the made soil, and
they will thrive there as never before, espec-
tally IT another coat be added. In this way
by frequent applications of such compost
"a more or less permanent soil may be
made, paying well while it is making, and
changing its leachy character.
Garry the manure to the clay-bed, and
there make the compost if it be practicable.
Or 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 pos
slble- be the main ingredient, and let this
clay be powdered when put in. Exposure
20 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
DO done artifcially. This drainage is reli-
able, and will never need looking to.
The soil is porous, and will always remain
so, giving the roots a chance, and firmly
holding tree, disposing to health and sound
growth. There is no efiuvium.
Rain, however excessive, will pass off at
once, retaining only what moisture is needed.
And drought, for orchards, will pass by
With little or no harm, the roots finding
moisture IN the great depths Even the
grain IS less effected than in a stubborn clay
soil, cracking and becoming hard.
You get better berry, better fruit. and
soil also, better flavor, which is great con
sideration, for such soil is generally elevated
soil, shaley, or sandy and gravely Such
soil requires constant attention it is true
but then it pays at once aud as you 20 along
only feed t--COTTespoHdent Country Gen
tlemGn.