The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-09-05

20 "iii0i III d sandy SOIL, beng loose
and porens, Is difficult IF not taken
up by the plant in given time, it Gin
us downward course) will be lost. 1t
- Il ioliy then to put it down at once by
the ploW, which Is aiding its disappear
ance. Neither will it do to apply in
the 1ali, particularly if done early, and
ieaVe there till spring, whenthe crop is
soWn. Some of the strength will wash
doWD and get beyond the reach of the
roots; the latter growth viii have but
little LETT to benefit it. If heavy coat
OF manure IS given, there will be more
growth, also more loss. The point is
to apply it when the grain is sown,
mixing manure, seed and soil with the
harrow, a light harrow being pre-
ferable.
To seed to grass or clover the same
rule holds. 1t will not do 50 well to
apply the manure in the fall, either
with the wheat crop sown, of for land
then prepared and sown III the spring.
Timothy may be sown with the wheat
II put III early, or better in the spring
as early as the manure can be applied
and the land sown. Never omit TO
cover the seed in sandy soil The
Seeding started, it can be kept growing
by yearly applications of top-dressing
TIL a good sod is established. Sheen
will help do this. The sod turned down
lightly, not exceeding four inches
three or three and half being better
crops of grain can be raised, with or
without additional manure.
But the year following manure must
be added whether grain is sown or the
Land put to grass or clover, light plow-
ing beng continued so as to keep the
fertility at the surface. Ii must be
kept there as much as possible always
III a sandy soil. The principle is too
obvious to be misunderstood And
sod IS an excellent material for this.
being well distributed through the sur
face soil, and held there longer by the
time occupied in its decomposition.
For tins reason also raw manure has an
advantage, letting loose gradually it's
substance.
In this way the land can be worked
right along protitahly, and improved all
the while, with but little of the fertil-
lty lost that is applied. A heavy
dressing would lose more Of the ma
nre. Hence light and frequent appli-
cations is the true theory. | find it
also the practice IN sections l have WIS.,
tied where the land is leachy. Parts OF
Steuben county, New York, are Of this
character, where [ first got my ideas of
the treatment of such soil.
But the attention to the land must
not be RENTED, else it will soon go
back to its original state, when trees or
deep roofing alone can retain footing.
1t Is, however, easy to keep up the land
after the start is well made. Ali that
Is necessary is to cultivate shallow, and
feed the soil at the surface. The ad-
vantage of such land is, besides its
perfect drainage, that it can be worked
early, thus getting the benefit of the
winter moisture, and of an early
growth, SO as to shade the ground, and
thus protect it from the hot sun and
the drying winds, which otherwise
would deprive it readily of its moist
ure, Ii being less capable of withstand
ing drought than other land.
l have been much gratifed at the
sight OF land III the town of Salisbury,
and bordering on the North Woods,
where crops OF grain, grass and clover
rose dark and thick, and on soil that not
many years ago was barren. 1t is made
really profitable, and continuously so.
There is another advantage that may be
realized in the improvement of light
and sandy soil that may be mentioned
here. 1t IS the use of compost, in which
q large ingredient is soil, and that soil
clay. If clay is accessible, it may be
used largely-three or four or more
parts TO one Of manure. This Will re-
taing all the strength of the manure,
make a superior dressing to mix with
the topsoil and hold the fertility. A
few heavy dressings will give perma-
nence to the soil, and in the long run it
will be found to pay.-Cor. Country
GelticDtuH.