Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-03-06


animal have the highest value as manure for
those plants on which the animal has fed.
The manures obtained from horses, cattle
and sheep are all valuable for our light land
where we make il our first object TO obtain
some crop, which on account Of its compare
lively small loss by evaporation, can with
stand dry soil.
Mineral Substances.
All plants require for their food alkalies
and alkaline earths, each in certain proper
ton and cereals in addition require silica
in soluble condition. The natural silicates
in soils differ greatly in the facility with
which they undergo decomposition. It's by
allowing land period of rest from cereal
crops that il becomes enriched with a supply
Of the soluble siicates. During such per-
iod the agency Of the atmosphere is at work
in decomposing and rendering the silicate ca
pable Of absorption.
We possess in quick-lime another agent,
which, when mixed with alkaline nrgilla-
ceous silicAtes, sets free the akah and ren-
dors the silicates soluble. Thus we see the
benefit exerted by leached ashes, (which con-
tain so per cent. Of lime) and marls (clays
containing large portion Of lime) on all
soils which do not effervesce with acids.
Gypsum or suIphate OF Lime.
This salt enters into the composition of
clovers and grasses, and is consequently a
necessary ingredient of the soil when these
are to be grown. 1t is now largely manu-
factured and sold for such purpose.
Phosphates.
These are present in considerable quantity
in all our most nutritious plants. This sub
stance forms the chief part Of what is.sold as
bone manure, and is the ingredient which
gives to that manure its value. A soil which
is destitute of this material is totally unfit
for producing grain, peas or beans.
Common salt
can hardly be said to constitute plant
food, but still it is of service in assisting the
decomposition of vegetable and animal fiber,
aud would therefore assist in the assimilation
of green crops when turned under. 1t is
not impossible, perhaps, that its property Of
attracting moisture from the air may also be
of value.
Green Vegetable Manure.
Under this head we include, perhaps, the
most valuable means of enriching light soil
All green succuent plants contain saccharine
and mucilaginous matter, with woody fiber
and readily ferment. Hence the grand prin.
ciple of turning in green crops. They mus
not, however, be plowed under too deep, les
fermentation be prevented by compression
and exclusion of air. As was mentioned
above, such crops should be turned unde
when in flower, or at the commencement o
Towering, for it is then that they contain th'
largest quantity Of easily soluble matter.
What crop is most suitable for the purpos
mentioned above2 1t has been found tina
clover possesses the valuable property o
withstanding dry soil, and in consequence
will succeed where cereals would fail. l
also reaches perfection at height whicl
permits it to be turned in, and in conse
quence possesses q great advantage. AS +
the proper variety, the common red succeed
perhaps as well as any; for we must lool
chiefly to the amount Of material likely to b.
produced. The roots Of clover also posses
a peculiar advantage in the manner in whic
they bind the soil together, thus increasin
its frmness and affording basis for success
sive crops Of more exhaustive character. Is
: giving the soil fbrous consistency it il
creases its retentive powers with respect
t moisture. We have frequently seen hills
$ corn left bare in such cases, whore now a
D artificial soil has been formed which supper
fine fields Of wheat, peas and oats. This h'
been accomplished by means Of the abo1
t agencies, but moro especially by the lattC
B practice of turning in timothy and Glove
4. Lastly, we must not omit to mention
most important
J Mechanical Means
of improving sandy soil. This consists in Il
q use Of the roller. Without this impleme
y no farmer can successfully till light farr
' Compactness is one of the qualities which
deficient in such farm, and in consequent
the moisture escapes too rapidly from Il
I soil, and the seed is not sufficiently protects
I by the firm development of earth necessal
:. to its successful termination. The use
4 the roller supplies this quality, and morrow
gives to the ground greater capability
resist the wearing action Of violent rains
}; BY putting these principles into practc
the farmer may expect TO make farm, OF
n erwse worthless, fertile and profitable; b
!, he must not forget that as he every ye
), takes away large portion of materials fro
j his land in the shape of different crops,
must he yearly pay the land back its dr
t interest, namely, the manure, or otherwi
: in short time it will yield neither princip'
I. nor interest and he will find it reduced
: the condition Of tho farms in the SoutheI
b States, where the great object has been
$ get everything possible out of the land wit
o the least possible outlay, and the consequence
8 has been, in one word, poverty.
FLOW OF SAP.