Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1883-07-14

liar power, inherent and vital, of avail
ing themselves more readily Of the ele-
ments ofplant food that are convenient
enough to other plants but in too crude
or insoluble condition for their use.
But one of the most important benefits
conferred consists in the chemical &C.
ton that takes place as a result of the
Incorporation of a mass of decaying or
ganic matter into the soil. The evolu-
ton of carbonic and other acids, the
absorption of ammonia from the air
and its conversion into nitric acid in
the soil and other changes, work a
corresponding transformation in the
composition of the soil. The phos-
pilates and carbonates Of lime, mag
nesia and iron, and other more or less
insoluble substances are rendered solu-
BILE and available to plants by the chem
ical action set up and maintained in
the soil by the presence Of decaying
vegetable matter. These changes are
moreover greatly facilitated by the
presence of moisture which humus has
the property of attracting from the at
mosphere. This microscopic property
or power Of absorbing and retaining
moisture from the atmosphere, is also
very valuable to the growing crops in
time of drouth.
Every farmer has noticed the great
improvement that is manifest in the
soil from which a fence had been re-
moved after several years standing.
This has been caused by the spontane-
Gus growth of weeds, briars, bushes,
etc., which have been allowed to spring
up in the fence corners, shading the
land, shedding their leaves upon it and
filling the soil with their roots. In this
case nothing has been added to the soil
except what grew upon it, and yet the
soil has been made rich by their opela-
ton and almost proof against the effect
of a drouth. What has been done by
the slow and unassisted agency of the
growth of a fence row, may be imita.
ted on a large scale and greatly accel
Grated by the substitution of plant;
better adapted to the purpose, by cul
tlvation and the addition of phosphate'
and potash to aid the growth of the
plants.
We have only incidentally alluded
to the fact that peas, clover and such
like plants draw very largely from thu
atmosphere and one of the most i'm
portant elements which they Obtain
from this source-one which costs thu
farmer if purchased, twice as mucl
per pound as any other element-i'
ammonia. This element is taken by
the plant from the air, In some way
not well understood, either through tn,
roots or by way of the leaves, and i
left in the soil by the plant.
We advise that the peas be planted
in drills about two and a half to tire,
feet wide, sowing the seed continuousl.
or dropping every "step' eight to tel
peas. From one peck to half a bushe
of seed will plant an acre. The crol
may succeed without any fertilizer o
any cultivation, but it will pay bette
to apply about $50 or 200 pounds o
acid phosphate per acre, and give on
blowing. The object is to induce a
rapid and luxuriant growth as possible
The latest received opinion is to tn
effect that it is not necessary to plo'
under the vines in order to get the flu
benefit of the operation. 1t is certain
ly not advisable to turn up the soil i
mid summer or early autumn to the il
fluences of the sun, unless the soil b
Immediately planted in another crOI
} We urge upon farmers tOplant ever
available space in peas.
The value of the FIVE leading CroI
in the limited States in 1882 was in I'll