Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-06-17
GRANGER'S DEPARTMENT..

If H.. OF this cou",'' u
Lining land, l send the following as d.
SO in point. vMF
June 6, 1876. V. M. r.
FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS IN
AGRICULTURE.
I. All land on which clover or the
grasses are grown must either have lime
in it naturally or it must be artifcially
supplied in the form of stone lime, oys-
ter shell lime or mari.
2. All improvements of lands must
look to lime as its basis.
8. Lands which have long been in cul-
ture will be benefited by application in
the form of bone dust, guano, native
phosphate of lime, compost OF fish, ashes
or in oyster shell lime Or mari, II the
land needs lining also -,
4. No land can be preserved IN hlsn
state of fertility, unless the clover a'u
the grasses are cultivated IN the course
of rotation. =,
s Mould is indispensable in every
soil and healthy supply can alone DE
Nraseryed through the cultivation OF the
clover and the grasses, the turning IN
Of Green crops, or by the application OF
co4nosts rich in the elements of mould.
G. All highly concentrated animal
manures are increased in value and the
benefits prolonged by the mixture OF
plaster or pulverized charcoal
:. Deep blowing and subsolling great
" improve the productive powers OF a
variety OF soil that is not wet.
s. All wet land should be drained.
9. All grain crops should be harvest
ed several days before the grain is tho
roughly ripe.
10 Clover, as we'll as other grasses
intended for hay should lie moved when
in bloom.
IL. Sandy lands can be most effectu-
ally improved By clay. If such lands re-
quire lining, it is best done by com
post of lime and clay. In shaking lime,
salt brine is better than water.
u. The chopping or grinding of grain
to be fed to stock effects saving OF at
least twenty-five per cent.
Is. The draining of wet lands adds 10
their value by making them produce
more and better crops, by producing
them earlier, and by improving the
health of the neighborhood.
ii. TO manure or lime wet lands IS TO
throw manure, lime aud labor away.
Is. Shallow blowing operates to I'M
roverish the soil, while decreasing pro-
ductiOn.
l6. BY staLling and shedding stock
during the winter saving of one-foulth
of the food required is made, more than
if they were exposed to the inclemency
of the weather.
II. A bushcl of plaster per acre sown
broadcast over clover will add from ten
to one hundred per cent to the product.
Is. The periodical application of ashes
unleachcd, tends to keep up the lntegrl-
ty of the soil by supplying most II not
all of the organic substances.
10. Thorough preparation OF land is
absolutely necessary to the successful
and luxuriant growth OF crops,
90. Abundant crops cannot be grown
on the same land in succession, unless
tertilizirg matter is returned to 1t IN
equivalent proportions to those taken
away.
TIE GRANGE NON BIPARTISAN.
5. We emphatically and sincerely
assert the oftrepeated truth taught in
our organic law, that the Grange, Ma
,ional. State or Subordinate, Is
NOT A POLITICAL OR PARTY
ORGANIZATION.
A Grange, if true to its obligations,
can not discuss political or religious
questions, nor call political conventions,
nor nominate candidates, nor even dis
cuss their merits in its meetings.
Yet the principles we teach underlle
all true politics, all true craftsmanship,
and, if properly carried out, will tend to
purify the whole political atmosphere OF
the country.
For we seek the greatest good OF the
greatest number. But we must always
bear in mind that no one becoming
Patron of Husbandry gives up that
inalienable right and duty which belongs
to every American citizen to take a
prouer interest in the politics of his
country.
On the contrary, it is right for every
member to do all in his power legltl-
mately to influence for good the action
Of any political party to which he
belongs. >.
1t is his duty to do all he can in his
own party to put down bribery, corrup-
ton and trickery; to see that none but
competent, faithful aud honest men,
who will unAinchingly stand by our
industrial interests, are nominated for
all positions of trust; and to have carried
out the principle which should always
characterize every Grange member, that
the office should seek the man, and not
the man the office.
We acknowledge the broad principle
that
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ISNO
CRIME,
and hold that progress toward truth is
made by differences of opinion" while
.tbe fault lies in bitterness of controver-
We desire proper equality, equity
and fairness; protection for the weak,
restraint upon the strong; in short just
" distributed burdens, and justly dis
tributed power. These are American