The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1875-07-07
WE CAN AND MUST ARREST
THE DETERIORATION
OF OUR LANDS.

on the condition Of its agriculture ;
and every man whose exclusive oc-
cupatfon Is the cultivation Of the
soil well knows that his individual
success depends upon the quantity
and quality of the annual yield OF
his lands. Yet. strange to contem-
plate, the average farmer Of our coun-
try beholds the recurring harvests
rapidly diminishing in quantity and
value. with but little thought Of the
dreary fact and the dismal prospect,
and without an effort to either avert
the impending poverty, or to restore.
or enhance original fertility.
That the soil can be made both an
instrument Of maintenance and prof
it, and, at the sane time. to gradu-
ally increase it's productive power ;
nay, that It may be, under the hand
of judicious culture and management,
made more productive than it was in
It's virgin state, annual support and
surplus attending the improvement,
are propositions that find mainten-
ance not alone in the dream Of the
book-farmer," but the trnth Of which
have been demonstrated beyond cav
il in tho older sections of our own
country, and most illustrioasly in
some portions of Europe, where, I'm
deed, The desert has been made to
blossom as the rose.
Not as an instructor. but more
with a view to arresting and direct
ing the attention of my fellow agri-
culturfsts to both the necessity and
the entire feasibility of soil improve
npent, and this without, to any ex-
tent, involving a temporary depriva-
ton OF current profits, l propose to
state few well ascertained and es-
tabIished facts and principles. If ]
shall happily make a suggestion that
may incite but one young farmer to
a course Of study aud practice that
will shade with fresher verdure but
one Of our romantic hills, or enliven
with a greater luxuriance the pros
pect along but one of our picturesque
valleys, / shall be amply eompen-
stated.
The term soil, used in q substan-
tive sense, has several Specifications.
It is here employed to signify those
parts of the outer or upper stratum
Of the earth which are capable of the
termination, sustentation and perfec-
ton of vegetable life. The soil is a
compound substance, and not only
the nutriment of plants, but
is curiously and wonderfully adapted
to their mechanical support and main
tenance. This upper stratum of
the earth, generally but few inches
in depth, lying beneath us, trampled
by the proud foot of man, and turn
ed and worried and scarified by the
of culture, with but little
reflection or consideration of what it
is, what it does, or of what it is ca
paple, either directly or Indirectly
gives existence and support to all
animal and vegetable life, and from
it is drawn the materials of nearly
every art, industry, employment, ne
cessity, comfort, convenience and
luxury Of man. Upon its productive
powers depend his physical and NOR
al prosperity and happiness, and the
continuation Of his existence; and
being subject under the action Of the
elements and the process of produc-
ing aud nouTisEfDg vegetable life to
deterioration. but capable in its con-
stitution Of not only receiving and
for future use a compensat-
ing sugply Of this waste, but of be-
ing constantly ameliorated, it is of
the most vital Importance that the
prevention, the remedy and the means
Of increasing its vigor and fruitful
ness be well understood. This can
not be advantageously done without
D competent knowledge of the chemi-
cal constituents and mechanical
structure of the soil. This inforEla-
ion is indispensably necessary to
5he continued success of every one
Who aspires to the distinction of sue
,essful farming. It is not meant
hat every farmer should be a learned
agricultural chemist, but only that
he great material elementary facts
md principles should be Familiarity
known and comprehended so as to
De made available in actual practice.
It is true. from mere blind, unreason-
ng imitation that much has beena
md may be accomplished, but when
he example or precedent fails no
'urther progress can be made. Be-
Jides, it is not always safe to adopt
md initiate a course that has been
oIlowed successfully on another
arm, for farms, in their required
treatment and management, vary as
much as do the patients of the ply
ician. Every farmer should be able
o study the constitution of his own
ields, and of his different fields, and
o understand the peculiar constitu-
ion, deficiencies and wants of each.
Such a course Of investigation and
not only conduces to the
Material interest of the farmer, but
fords him mental employment. at
nee highly beneficial and pleasure
lie. The progress in agricultural
cience and art within the last half
entury has been great and rapid,
nd the practical study and pursuit
las become an occupation as elevat-
ng In its tendency. and as delight
ully intellectual as the learned pro-
essions. once properly 80 termed +;
nd tho farmer may, if he will, in the
OF a olod Of his field,
nd as much food for high thought.
nd more pure delight. than the law.
er, who, in his study. revolves the |
of a great legal principle. |
70 might here difFuse this idea, and
lso run other parallels between the |
r. - kha- Hary,.a~3 ors1 Cfhar Nopvtna