Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-10-29
FARM AND FIRESIDE.
More GrassNe exeds


The folloy Of Tennessee agriculture,
says the Rural Sun, is the attempt to
cultivate too much land, and lay down
too little to grass or permanent pasture.
five take q survey ofof those countries
where agriculture fiourishes to the |
greatest degree, we shall ind the
greatest thrift and highest rents in those
which have the largest amount OF per-
mancnt pasturage. In France, fifty
three per cent. of the tillable land is
sown in grain, while in England, only
twenty five per cent is sown. France
has twenty-five per cent. in grass
England fifty per cent. So great is the
improvement IN the soil by the su
perior management Of England farmers.
that the yield of wheat to each inhabl-
tant in the two countries is almost
identical. Every acre in England de-
voted to grain receives the manure from
animals fed OFF three acres of grass. In
France, the manure made from each
acre Of grass has TO be spread over two
and half acres OF grain. But the pro.
fits does not stop with the improvement
OF the soil. The marvellous improve
ments in the live stock of England Ia
due more to the superiority other pas
lures than to any amenity Of climate or
situation. Grass is wealth. The affairs
OF nature are so ordered that the grasses
and land rests in exact proportion to
the attention which is givan TO tie
cultivated grasses. 1t IS 5y no means
uncommon TO find IN England lands for
agricultural purposes rating at $1,000
per acre. Irrigated meadows in Lom-
hardy rent ssometmes for 800 per
acre. One hundred acres Of land can
be bought in many parts Of Tennessee
for The sum which Is annually paid il
Lombardy for the rent Of one acre.
THIS truth is suggestive. Disguise it |
as we may, grass is 10 be our agricul' |
tural redeemer; to it we look for a !
restoration of our worn out fields, for |
the improvement of our agriculture, and |
labor, and stock, and for that degree Of
leisure upon the farm, without which
high degree Of intelligence is impessi. |
BILE among farmers.
Many Tennessee farmers seem to |
think that the greater the amount in
cultivation, tie larger the profits. Just
the reverse, within limits, is true. It |
IS better 10 enrich and cultivate ten |
acres of corn that will yield sixty |
bushels per acre. The profits in one
case are very great; in the other there
IS actual loss. How must this be
remedied? The plan is easy. Lay down |
10 permanent pasture every acre that
cannot be enriched, and let 1t lie. 1t |
viii soon enrich itself for where land IS
suffered TO remain in grass, there are
certain natural forces that act ia its
restoration. A dark brown soil, rich |
10 vegetable matter, accumulates and
deepens il proportion TO the time the
lan-ls allowed 10 remain in grass. The
roots OF the grasses penetrate the earth |
and bring TO the surface plant food
which was before inaccessible. It is |
said that the annual production ofroots
on old grass land is equal to one.fourth
OF the weight of the hay carried off,
The roots and leaves OF grasses contain
saline matters beneficial to vegetation.
When grass is burned one-tenth of Its
weight IN ashes remains.
Besides these agencies of fertility.
there are mechanical agencies at work. |
The grass roots let in the rain, which
washes down the upper clay, and leaves
the vegetable mould of decaying grass
near the surface. The freezes lift up
the soil, which miDgles with the leaves
OF the grasses and assists in forming a
rich vegetable mould. Earth worms
AID IN this work of fertilization IN old
pasture lands by bringing to the surface
little heaps Ofdung. with which thew
top-dress the meadows. Above all.
however, is the ameliorating effects
brought about by the shade OF the
grasses. Wherever spot of land is
kept continually shaded, there the
fertility Of The soil will be increased
One has but to look upon the fence
rows. under pile Of boards. on the
north hill sides, to be assured OF the
TACT. Shade is, by all odds, the most
powerful factor in the restoration of
worn out soils. Let our farmers look
to the grasses. They will prove a
Trend indeed. A live patriotism.
1--we, free pOsterity, or an impoverished
soil will sooner or later drive our
farmers from cotton and tobacco into
grass, hay, stock and plenty.
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Honey Prospects.