The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-27
English Farming and Americau-

Mr.. Wall, in an address to the farmers
of New Jersey, alluded to the fact that in
England, in less than century, the pro-
duction of wheat had risen from 16, 0O0,OnO
to 100000 bushels. This enormous
increase he attributes to systematic atten-
ton to all the requirements of good farm
ing; to the skill and exactness with which
all the operations are performed; to their
careful selection Of the best varieties of seed,
and to the extensive and good use of their
barnyard manure. Nothing is left to casu-
atty or chance. No expectations are IT,
Obliged in that an unusually favorable sea-
son will atone for shortcomings or neglect.
lie alluded to the brsiness-lile liberality
of the English farmers in restoring to the
earth, by means ofpurchased manures, the
elements of fertility exhausted by cultiva-
ton, and stated that in 1887, the first year
in which bones came into general use as a
fertilizer, the foreign bones imported were
valued at the custom house at 81 800, 600,
since which time it is estimated that the
amount paid for imported bones alone
amounted to $50, 100000. Since lS4l up
ward of 100000 tons Of guano have been
used.
Mr.. Wall believes that the English
farmers rotation Of root and grain crops
comes nearly to perfection, and that the
care which had been bestowed on root cul-
tivaton had been the salvation of England.
1t is certainly true that the culture of root
crops has been the salvation of English
agriculture. The cultivation Of these crops
may as truly be the means of improving
the soil incur eastern states. We had once
hoped that the manufacture Of beat sugar
would enable western farmers to avail
themselves of this root as fallow crop,
but we fear that this will
prove not to be the case Just
yet; perhaps time may give Us cheaper
labor by which it may be done. Fortu-
nately, we have Indian corn, which enables
our farmers to clean their lands in an
admirable manner, if properly attended to.
Still, ii can never take the place of tap
rooted plants. The turnip crop will
probably never be available in the west,
even if we could afford to make it take the
place of corn as a feeding crop, for the
reason that our hot summers are not
suited to the plant.
If beet sugar, however, could be made
to pay the cost of cultivation and manu-
lacture, the enhanced production Of the
wheat and barley with which it would be
rotated, would ensure profits. We shall
still look with interest to the future of
beet sugar in the West. The great diff
Guilty with our farmers is that they have
neglected the breeding and feeding Of stock
to eat up the coarse grams in which our
prairie soils are so fertile. Thus we might
establish rotation in which clover would
play an important part, and with its deep
searching tap roots bring up the hidden
fertility of the soil for the use Of wheat
and barley.
We reiterate that it is in diversified agr-
culture that our farmers must find the true
solution Of many Of their troubles. 1t takes
time, however, to work out agricultural
problems, and as soon as we know Just |
what classes Of plants are suited to our
climate and condition, we shall have solved |
one of the most important questions of the
day.