The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1876-07-26
We Must Make Restitution or our Lands
Will Become Barren,

Will Become Barren,
There are certain general principles
which govern farming operations, that
must be observed, in order to prevent
disastrous results. A soil may be SO
remarkably fertile as to produce good
crops for a succession of years, without
the application of fertilizers, but, sooner
or later, the fertility yields to the ex-
cessiye drain of the crops and a worn
out soil is the result.
Wherever any course of cultivation
of the soil, has been pursued in which
the above result has been brought
about it is wholly from the injudicious
practice of the farmers, for it will be
conceded by all thinking men, that a
course of culture that leaves the soil in
a poorer condition than when the seed
was planted, is injurious, by actually
reducing the value of the land. It
follows then, that wherever crop is
put into the soil, a previous prepare
ton by manuring should be made, so
that whenever the crop is harvested,
the soil is actually in better condition
than at first. This is restitution and
is the true way to improve the fertility
OF the farm, instead of injuring and
destroying it.
But, we are met by the objection of
many, "that the soil on their farms, is
so w0rn out as to be almost destitute of
any fertility, ever such a sell can be
improved, although the process may
be slow at first. There is probably no
surer method, than by the blowing
under crops of cow-pea vines, in con-
junction with animal manure. Itmav
be objected. that upon SO poor a farm
stock cannot be raised and hence nc
MANURE can be made. In answer we
will say, in all our travels in the south
west We have never met with a section
OF country where good ranges for cat
tie and other stock did not abound,
and it only requires the careful atten-
ton of the farmers, to make stock
raising profitable and at the same
time furnish manure for fertilizing,
meat for home comfort and wool for
clothing and other purposes.
This system of restitution by the
growing of cow-peas, grasses and stock
raising, is the only method by which
the Southwestern and especially, the
older states, can even hope to regain
their former prosperity and indepen-
dence. The reason we refer to this
subject so often, is because, we intend
to hammer away at it until we induce
a majority of the farmers to follow it.
Restitution must be made, or our lands
will become barren wastes.
In connection with the foregoing
from the News and Vindicator, it
may be profitable to read the follow
ing clippings from some of our other
exchanges
The collection and application Of
manure should go on continually. for
the grasses and cereals and all kinds
of cultivated plants make an annual
draft OF the soil for the ingredients
which enable them to build 10 their
stems, foliage and seeds. No LIQUID
or solid manure suited for enricbinp
the soil should be allowed to go to loss
about the homestead. Soap-suds. |
wood-ashes, SCOT, charcoal, saw-dust,
etc., may be applied to the soil with
much benefit to crops. Leached wood
ashes are very useful for top dressing
grass land, deepening the color of the
plants and increasing their productive
ness so much as to double the agreeable
yield of hay whenever they are ap-
piled in sufficient quantities. All
farmers who are striving to make
farming pay, and are in favor of i'm.
proving instead of going backward.
will see and appreciate the well-meant,
suggestions on manuring land. To ali
such we look for that improvement
and progress S much needed in farm
A months experience on our own
place, says the American Farmer. has
given us A telling illustration of the
vast amount of material which can be
gathered together in a small space of
time TO augment the size OF the ma.
nure heap. II, as we firmly believe.
and as competent and eminent chem
ist now aver, the artificial fertilizers
to soils depend fer their
effect upon, and are effective in exact
ratio to. the presence of mould or
humus i'll the soil, then that farmer is
wIllfully negligent who tails to secure
means at hand of increasing the
Of that substance in his soils.
The making and continued increasing
Of manure piles, in which are depos.
ted all deoaying organic matters. and
he base Of which is barn-yard manure, /,
then the duty of every farmer who !
'eeks to do the best for his land. since a
he fertility of the land cannot he I
preserved without constant supplies. +.
n shape or another, of p~utreseent
manures..
Small Farms.
Small farms make near neiehbors ,
hey make good roads they make .
chools and churches; there is more :
aade in proportion to the labor les
abnr Is Vvantpd . oxror,,tb5,~ I