Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-03-03

animal manures ana commercial
fertilizers, and whether we be right
or wrong in the views we entertain
as to the science or practice of the
details, we abide in the faith that to
that system the teachings of the
agricultural science of the future
must conform. Such things always
come about slowly, but it will
nevertheless one day come about
that this system will be universally
followed by all who are regarded as
having sense enough to farm. 1t
appears, then, that the crop-produc-
ing effects and hence the agricul-
tural value of lime depend first,
upon the nature and amount OF the
animal and vegetable substances
which the soil contains second,
upon the composition and physical
| character of the soil itself. The
price of lime or its commercial value
will depend upon a variety OF
circumstances. If the extra crop
and improved condition of the land
resulting from the use of lime are
worth than the cost of its appli-
cation, it pays the farmer to use
lit; otherwise not. And this ques-
ton he must determine for himself
by careful estimates, and not by
rude guess-work; and so, too, Of all
other commercial manuring sub
stances. But why not, in accor-
dance with the views Of some OF our
scientific friends, get an analysis oil
the lime and have the whole matter
set down clearly in dollars and
cents? That would be very con-
venient, but we trust that oul
readers have out-grown that weak
ness before now. 1t is a practical
question at what point in our or ro-
tation shall we apply lime ? This
question, also, is best settled by
the particular facts in each case
and the special results Of the ex-
perience of each farmer. In the
old fve-shift rotation we think a
good way to apply it would be in
connection with the farm-yard ma
nure on corn land, and we would,
in clay lands, prefer to scatter the
manure and spread the lime as
evenly as possible from the carts OF
wagons on the rough plOwed land
and harrow both in together, On
light loans It might be found
better to limo the grass thad the
grain crops.
As general rule, twenty-five
bushels of lime per acre, once in
the five years rotation to each field,
will prove a sufficient application.
In this way one field would receive
lime ever year. 1t might be found
better to lime the fallow for wheat ;
in which case it can be spread on
the green fallOw crop and turned
under with it, or the tallow crop
being plowed in, the lime can be
spread on the rough plOwed land
and narrowed in before growing the
wheat. But this whole question
must be left to the circumstances,
Judgment and experience of the
farmer for decision, remembering,
as a guide, the principles which
govern the action Of lime, and SO
arranging as to secure that,it shall,
in the highest possible degree. rem
der the action not only of the dung
but of the green fallow and the
commercial fertilizer more energetic.
What the farmer needs is to
secure returns as prompt and COM
plete as possible for his outlay in
dung, fallow crops and other ma
nures, and it appears to be well
established that the wise and ju-
dicious use of lime may greatly
promote that result. Further de-
tails appear to be needless in this
place; and we now invite the atten-
ton Of our readers to new sub
ject. 1t may be well, however, to
remark that most of the marls of the
modern geological formations Of the
tidewater zone of the Atlantic sea-
board are valuable only for their
carbonate of lime, and that marling
is simply lining land under another
name.
Potash is the next of the ele
ments of plant-food which appears
in commerce as a fertilizIng sub
stance, to which we propose to
direct our attention. We think its
importance in agriculture much
overated by the common opinion
We believe it to be present in soils
in quantities and conditions Of
availability sufficient tor all the de-
mands of crops much more general
ly than might be supposed from the
general tone of the agricultural lit
erature Of the period Or than is ac-
tually supposed to be the case not
only by farmers, but by scientific
men. Potash is one Of the most
abundant minerals naturally present
in many soils, and constituting a
large percentage Of many rocks /;
whereas it occurs in the ashes of
most plants in rather minute guam
titles. In the physiology of plants,
potash is indisputably most i'm
portant substance, and in any soil
| ,,Lo,o r. 10 NOT found No olant oop