Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-02-19

Gerrcd in another, five, and third
will adopt The six or seven field rota-
ton. Different localities" aud other
NAV perhaps afford
good grounds .or this variety Of opinion.
But, as general rule, it is believed
that where the latter mode is adopted,
or nearly so. other circumstances being
equal, the farming is better done, is
more profitable, and the lands more
permanently, if not more rapidly i'm
proved. Close pasturing, and reno
waiting WORKOUT lands" may do in
theory, but are not very likely to sue
coed IN practice. The r'lield
rotation certainly admits Of better
opportunity to benefit by the aid Of the
artificial grasses; and whenever they can
be successfully invoked tee good work
is more than half accomplished.
Before taking leave Of my readers,
the majority of whom perhaps are en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits, l would
again briefly recur to the important SUBJ
iect of manures, .-one of scarcely less
moment to the tiller of the soil, than is
the mariners compass to the tempest
toss'd sailor-for mainly to then
agency IN some form or other must we
be indebted for success in the renova-
ton of WORKOUT lands. My preference,
as many have been seen, is given 10
lime over all others, when an eXpendl-
ture of the slender resources Of the farm
is devoted to this object and although
| it Is not a panacea, to cure all the Ills
/ incident to the calling, nor will 1t, ike
the fabled Satyr. blow hot and cold
with the same breath. yet on all soils
TO which have seen it applied, from
the stitlest clays to the blowing sands,
docs it appear to be a renovator IN
greater or less degree: the one 1t vii
tighten and mellow, while the other Is
rendered more compact, and more
retentiye ofmoisture. l would there
fore strongly advise the use of LINE, as
decidedly the most efficient and durable
agent for improving most kinds OF SOILS
If its action may be considered COM
paratively slow, II is SURE. III its
fertilizing effects; and will generally In
the end prove also to be the mos
economical, whenever it can be obtain
ed at a reasonable price.
The three kinds of bought manures"
most extensively used in this State fol
improving our worn out lands (plaster
of course excepted) might be classed
somewhat Ike the following: Lime foI
the landlord, guano for the tenant, and
ground bones for beth. AN mayl be
used % profit under favorable circum-
stances but they are believed to differ
materially in their relative values, in
proportion to the amount of money
usually expended, if the Improvement OF
of the land is a primary object with the
hu,bandman.
Experience, however, in this, as
well as in most other things, is the bes t
teacher; provided we do not pay
too daar Dr it. All without in-
tending in the least degree to check the
energy and spirit o, agricultural i'm
provement. now so widely extending,
| would venture a caution to those who
have but little moneyto extend for the
purchase of high-prced manures, to do
it rather for such as are kRopn to be
durable: and which will eventually be
the most certain to return both princl-
pal aid interest. l teel confident all |
have expended for lime has been re-
turned in the increased product Of tie
soil and with neal six times six than 6
per cent. interest. If the market value
Of the land has not been enhanced in
equal proportion (most propably tie
case) it certainly has net deteriOrated
any in qpality.
As remarked at the beginning of my
essay, no exclusive method Of improve
ment is alike suited to all localities and
circumstances; but 1 trust a plan is
submitted that will very generally
succeed If perseyered in /; it will not
only make the grain but the grass
grow; and will at the same time
effectually "RENovATE WORN OUT
LANDS"
EDWARD STABLER.