The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-09-14
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A" Essay read BY Maj J. Z. cOher, Of
Hartsui1e, before Me Darlington Agri.
cultural Society, Aug. Ia, 1877.
1t becomes us us farmers to reduce our
expenditures wherever possible-to substi-
tute, rs far as we may, home-mad, articles
for those which We now purchase from
'abroad-to increase the balance of exports
over imports.
If the income from articles exported and
sold, exceeds the cost of articles imported
we are certainly making progress. Our
policy should be to gather in the riches of
other countries, by selling them our produc-
'tions at the same time producing for our
selyes what We consume
SSo PLAIN pfop0Sltlon feguifcS no sfguz
ment, and it is SO frequently demonstrated
before our very eyes, that We need not look
abroad for the many evidences of its truth.
Acknowledging this, wo concede at once,
that home made fertilizers are to be used in
preference to commercial fertilizers, in all
cases where they are equal in value aud in
COST But it seems that am expected to
show that We should dispense with CONNER
cial fertilizers altogether, and this is no easy
task. For while am very clearly of the
opinion that we should devote far more at
tention to the home production of manure,
1 am not convinced that we should relin-
Iuish the use of guano, superphosphates and
chemicals, as fertilizers, to supplement and
improve those produced on the farm. 1t
Tould seem to be indicated by the processes
Of nature, that tho ono creature of exalted
Intelligence, placed "upOnsesrth BY. the crea-
tor, should restore what Of value has been
transferred by gradual but by constant move
ment, from the land to the sea. Every
mountain stream is bearing along with its
waters the soluble matters extracted from
the bosom of earth. Evrery rain lifts from
them down through branch and crock and
river, until into the lap OF ocean are deposit
ted the substances gathered from the land.
1t seems proper that man should take back
from ocean the riches with which she has
become engorged and should thus keep up
the equilibrium, which would otherwise be
lost So from the cemeteries of gigantic sea
animals, he exhumes the monster skeletons,
and gives them to the soil. He also removes
the deposits of guano gathered from the sea
by birds, and distributes these. And the
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ing the remainder by suitable agencies into
fertilizing material for tho denuded land
So too he brings back from ocean its salt
and lime, and by his activity and intelli-
gence he repairs tho ravages Of time. The
best experience of the farmers of Europe
and America, is in opposition to the doc
trine that we should rely on homem made fer
tilizers alone. Our own experience in this
section is decidedly in favor of the judi
cious use of good commercial fertilizers.-
But would be glad if our farmers could
be convinced of the paramount Importance
Of preserving what we have at home, and
Of improving the value, as we'll as of adding
to the bulk of, domestic manures.
We are in favorable position for max
ing manure from stock, for most of US have
command of extensive tracts of wood land,
e4 @ Ehia III alge th I'D IF 81 good ma:
nure. This may be deposited at small ex-
psnse in our covered lots and stables, Or by
system Of folding directly upon the land
where it is to be used These woodlands
furnish US ample supplies of litter for pens,
lots and stables, and Of rich earth for COM
posting with such fertilizing material as our
interests require us to purchase. I can
hardly determine the relative proportion of
stock to pasture lands, as the factors which
enter into the calculation are variable but
will say that most of us can largely in
crease our stock if we will provide winter
food for them and as we increase our stock
we can increase the quantity of manure
from this source.
We can also make wonderful change in
the quality Of this manure first, by better
feeding, and secondly by sheltering our
stock at night This sheltering is not diff
cult or expensive. IF we are not able 10
build good stables, We can make roomy log
pens and cover with pine straw, and this
answers the purpose very well.
Let no farmer feel justified in going
abroad for his manure until he shelters his
stock and makes stable manure whore he
now makes very poor article Of lot ma
nure.
think We will find tho systematic use of
the penning or folding plan in pleasant
weather, to be the easiest and best way Of
enriching the land to the extent that this
plan may be practised. By this means the
manure is dropped just where it is required
for use, and by frequently plowing the land,
we may bury the droppings Of the cattle,
and thus prevent loss from exposure to sun
and rain.
have mover seen much profit from any
system of composing, outside of the lot and
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