The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-05-05
AGRICULTURAL.

FIXED -PngNcrrLEs IN AaRrcuLruRE.-An
lands onSwhich clover or the grasses are
grown, must either have limesAuda every
other inorganic constituent which y$be
found in the ashes Of the cf51erif bufneaa
or those minerals must be artifciallyz supss
piled. All permanent improvement Of
lands must look to lime, potash, and other
constituents. common to plants, as its
basis. Lands which have been long in cul-
tivation, will be benefited sby arplicatiohs
Of phosphate Of lime, treated with snlphnric
acid, So as to render it a soluable phos-
|phate; supplied in the form u bons-dast,
composts Of fish, guano, ashes and. .osste.
shell lime, :. ,.;gSf..'.
| .IA]l highly concentrated animal manures
are increased in value, and their benefits
prolonged by admixture with plaster, salt,
or pulverized charcoal Deep plowiug
greatly improves the productive powers Of
every variety Of soil, that is not wet,
though the depth should be increased
gradually. sub-soilins sound land, that
is, land that is not wet, is eminently
conducive to increased production. All wet
Land should be drained, and especially such
land as has heavy clay sub-soil. All
grain crops should be harvested before the
grain is thoroughly ripe. Clover as well
as the other grasses intended for hay,
should be moved whel in bloom. Sandy
land can be most sffeotually improved by
the addition of clay. When such lands re-
quire lining or marling, the lime or mari
is most benefcially applied when made IN
to compost with clay. In Stacking lime,
salt brine is better than water. ?
The grinding Of grain to be fed to stock.
and mixing it with cut hay or straw, ope,-
rates as saving Of at leas. tweuty-fvej
per cent. Draining Of wet lands and
marshes adds to their value, by causing,
them to produce earlier, and a greater
quantity and better quality, and i'm:
proves the health Of neighborhoods. =
To manure or lime wet land, Is to throw
manure, lime and labor away. Shallow
plowing operates to impoverish the soil.
BY stabling and housing stock through the
winter, saving Of one-fourth less food
may be effected; that is, one.fourth less
food will answer than when such stock are
exposed to the inclemencies Of the weather.
A good dressing Of plaster or clover. where
the land is deficient in lime and sulphuric
acid, will add one hundred per cent. to ,its
produce. Periodical applications Of aahes
tend 10 keep up the integrity OF soils, by
supplying most, if not all, the inorganic
substances. Thorough preparations Of land
is absolutely necessary to the successful
and luxuriant growth Of crops. Abundant
crops cannot be grown for succession Of
years, unless care be taken to proviG al,
equivalent for the substances carried of
the land in the products grown thereon.
To preserve meadows in their produc-
tiveness, it is better to harrow them every
second autumn, apply top-dressing, and
roll them. Ali stiff clays are benefited BY
fall and winter ployin9ss;. but should never
be plowed while they are wet. f at such
plowings, the. furrow be materially deep
ened, lime, marl'ors ashess SHOULD be ap-
Piled. Young stock should be moderately
fed with grain in winter, and receive gen.
erous supplies Of provender, it being essen
tial to keep them in a fair condition, in
order that the formation Of muscles and
bones may be encouraged and continuously
carried on. Mich COWS in winter, should
be kept in dry, moderately warm, but well
ventilated quarters, fed and watered three
times o day, .salted twice q week, having
clean beds, and in addition to their long
provender should receive roots. Full conn
plement of tools and implements OF hus'
bandry are intimately connected with suo-
cess.