Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-12-17
HOW TO IMPROVE POOR LAND.

HOW TO IMPROVE POOR LAND.
The following paper was read before the
Woodlawn Agricultural Club at its last
meeting
This is subject that directly interests
every member Of this club, and we may truly
say every one engaged in agricultural opera
tons, particularly in the tide water section
of Virginia; for though our climatic influ-
ences are favorable, and our water courses
give US easy access TO ready markets, yet
gelogcally considered we have none Of those
renova;ing Influences with which some other
sectious are blessed, rs where the hornblende
or Limestone rocks abound, which by their
continued diSintegration from various causes
add constant fertility TO the SOIL
knowing this fact the question forces
itself upon every intelligent mind what
course had better pursue TO add 10 the fer
undispned fact that tlling poor land Is not
a renumerative business. In discussing
this question We have for our premise
what is the best method ? Admitting that
any method is better than going il blind,
still shall contend that what may be the
best plan for one 10 adopt may not be
the most practical for another 10 follow,
for in this matter as in everything con-
nected with agriculture there are con-
tiugent circumstances to be taken into con-
sideration. For instance if q man owns his
land and has some spare capital he can 50
forecast his operations rs to obtain the re-
suit he is aiming at in much surcr manner
and shorter space Of time, than one restrict
ed in his endeavors by poverty or circum-
tances.
'Having atlluence as l. basis, would
treat mother earth in no niggardly man
ner, knowing that she responds without
stint TO generous treatment.
Il would begin by thorough preparation
of the soil, applyinga good coat of stable
manure, seeding it to grain and clover seed,
applying at the time Of seeding 200 pounds
OF commercial fertilizer. After the grain was
cut would give it coat Of ashes, say 30
bushels to the acre, or its equivalent in
some potash compound. | would cut and
save the first crop of clover, letting the sec
ond crop make all the growth it would,
then apply % bushels of lime to the acre,
putting the lime as l would all other ma
nures on the surface after the clover was
Dloughed under. The soil would now be in
a condition to practice system of rotation.
beginning with corn and continuing with
other crops, until it again came III grass;
this time it should be seeded with timothy
as well as clover, using manure or some kind
offertiize with each crop. lbelicvc it would
amply pay to apply 800 pounds OF line
ground raw bone after the first crop Of hay
is cut, as it in my judgment would secure
an extra crop or !WG OF hay. think ny
this method what we style HS poor or worn
out lands might be made to pay even though
there was not II hoof kept except the work
horses keeping in mind the saying OF
sage old farmer who remarked that he fed
his land before it was hungry, rested it be-
fore it was weary, and wceded 1t before 1t
was foul
"If YOU are not thus tavorably situated
there are two absolute requisites, one must
possess to succeed in renovating poor land.
They are plod, and pluck, the first means
that he must have physical endurance and
no matter how the bones and muscles ache
there must be no let up, the other the fullest
exercise of all the faculties Of the brain,
backed by will that never says die. This
phase of the question can illustrate by my
own experience better than drawing on inc
imagination.
THE farm ! occupy was certainly as dead
poor as any in this section. For years
everything grown On it had been hauled Oil.
There was not wisp Of hay cut until the
second year. ! began with one horse and
two COWS BY an extra effort got part ofthe
place in grass so that the fourth year sold
between four and five hundred dollars worth
of hay returning it all in the shape of manure. AS
nv stock Increased fed up everything that grew
ON the farm except wheat and potatoes. | have
not sold ten tons of hay i'll the last five years, ana
have bought from one to two hundred dollars
worth of feed annually for sixteen years. have
cudeavorcd to make all the manure on the farm
possibly could in addition to the barn yard and
stables.
''By saving and utilizing everything that
possesses any fertiliziug properties | obtained
compound in value equal to any that l can buy
sufficient to 90 over my corn field, and yet my
results to me arc not entirely satisfactory though
I NAV be excused for saying that where formerly
nothing but broom scdgc and hen grass grew
now cut tolcrablc good crops Of grass. In conclu-
sion my impression is that the soil must be light
ened by being filled with rootlets below the sur.
face, and above it must in some manner be shaded
the greater portion of the time. And the eondi-
ton of the person who expects remuncratlve crops
and to improve his land solely by the use of super
pbosphates can best be illustrated by an anecdote
relating to Lord Raincs. He expressed great con-
tempt for manure. To his gardener he SAID one
day George the time will come when man
shall be able to carry all the manure for an acre OF
ground in his waistcoat pocket i believe IL SIT,
said the gardener, "but he will then be able 10
carry all the crop in the other" L. h. MASON.
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