Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-02-20
Renovating Worn SANDY Soils.

have Just received o letter from q young
farmer stating that he raised the past season
800 bushels of corn from % acres, with other
crops to match. mention this because his
land is composed almost entirely of sand
What little fertility the soil originally had
was pretty well taken out of it when he came
in possession. He has GO acres of this land
and he is making it paying investment by
using manure. His management, though
simple, is interesting. Not having any ma
nure except what little he obtained from his
team, few COWS and some hens, he deter
mined to invest in swine. Then he procured
and used plenty of muck in his pen and sta
bles, and got the consent of neghbors to use
muck in their pens for the manure Thus he
obtained a large quantity of manure, saving
all the fluid portion, the vegetable material
in the absorbent improving the texture of the
soil. The pork paid all expenses, so that the
manure was a clear gain. In applying it he
makes thorough work as he goes, giving a
heavy coat to as much land as he has manure
for. He puts it ON the land after it is plow-
ed and mixes top soil and manure well then
immediately plants and sows, and always
gets a good crop. This he has done for
three years, and about half his land is i'm
proved. As he proceeds more manure is re-
quired to keep good what he has reclaimed
1t is wonderful, he says, how much manure
the land will take and convert into grain
Every dollars worth is sure to be returned,
so that it is a question of how many dollars
worth of manure can be made. Every load
will tell, it matters not what the season may
be, even in drouth, so that there is enough
applied to produce dense growth, which is
guard against the hot sun and the drying
winds. Aud the change from manure to
grain rapidly takes place, causing the great
growth aud quick returns, eXhausting, also,
sooner the soil, SO that it requires constant
attention. The land must be unremittingly
fed and in the proper proportions, if the
greatest income would be realized.
A year ago I visited the place, and was
gratiied at what l saw. All the crops were
growing thrifty, contrast to the surround
ing land, which lay parched in the burning
sun. | noticed particularly an elevated part
of the lot which the year before exposed its
sand, to all appearance absolutely barren,
now bearing crop of buckwheat that new
err saw surpassed All the land treated is in
a uniformly fine, mellow condition, of rich
brown color, and works like a garden. The
blowing is shallow. As the product increases
more stock is kept-no more meal being pur-
chased, as was necessary the first two years
The grass is not quite so good as the grain
it has received less manure Manure is the
gauge of the crop. Such manure as he makes
including the urine-and.fne, like the soil it.
self-acts promptly and reliably, having all
the clements and in pretty good balance, ia
vored by the texture and perfect drainage of
the soil There is no sourness, no stagnant
water to hurt and chill, nothing deleterious
1t il only an unusually severe drouth that Sc
riousy hurts. The large amount of fine veg
etable material which the muck supplies,
serves as a guard against dry weather. 1t
seems to be particularly efficient on corn
ground, where the soil is frequently stirred
A good quantity may be used here, including
the manure it holds.-N y. Cor. Country
Gentleman.