Year: 1861

things could have escaped their observation.


As full answer to such, let me call their
attention to some of the absurd practices that
the best OF our cultivators are but Just emerg-
ing from, and that probably they themselves
remain in; let them view their own practice
in these things, and then say whether they
feel that consciousness of porfec ton, that will
justify them in condemning proposed improve
ments without trial.


Let them reflect a moment on the propen-
sity that almost every planter feels for clear
ing piece of land every year, which is very
commonly continued until there is little or no
wood left either for fuel or fences; and very
often it happens that in the latter stages of
this erroneous conduct, more than half their
cleared land IS SO far exhausted as not to be
worth cultiyatiDg-more acres Of which, that
they annually clear, it is amply within their
power to reclaim and render as fertile as ever
it was, and that with half the expense; yet
strange to tell, every acre is neglected, while
the clearing business is pursued with aVidity,
until at length the fatal blow is struck and
necessity cOmpels them to part with their
murdered estates for trife, and seek refuge
in the western country. Witness, some of the
lower counties of Maryland and a great part
of Virginia.


Let them reflect on the immense labor that
has been bestowed in the Southern States in
the business of raising great hills about In
dian corn. 1t is now acknowledged, with
good reason, by many of the best planters,
that it Is altogether useless in promoting the
growth Of the corn; but they say it is abso-
lutely necessary to raise a small hill, to pre-
vent the corn from falling, by storms of wind
and rain. Let us try the wisdom of this i'm
proved mode. Every one who has paid atten-
ton to the growth of corn, must have OBJ
served that before, or about the time it arrives
at the state Of dasger, it is sure to send out a
circle of strong roots just at or a little above
the surface; these are the supports of nature;
and so well are they adapted to the purpose
that we seldom see a stalk torn up by the
roots except where the earth is previously
washed from about them. If let alone, there
is no other danger to be apprehended than
from the breaking Of the stalks, which indeed
sometimes happens, and which billing does
not prevent. If it is bent down by wind and
rain, when the wind ceases and the blades are
released from their burden of moisture, it will
of course rise. But the oficiOus planter must
do something TO assist nature. He according
ly raises hill; how does it affect the plant?
Let him observe it soon after, and he will dis
cover he has mistaken his aim, that nature,
feeling herself thwarted, is endeaVoring to
repair the injury, by retaining a part of the
nutrifive juices provided for the support Of
the shoots above, for the purpose of sending
out new set Of braces above the new raised
nlll. Inls taxes time. and frequently before
the new roots have taken hold in the earth, d
gust Of wind and rain comes on; the conse-
quence Of which is, that the bill soon becomes
sOftened by the rain, and the wind at the
same time pressing the stalk against it, it
gives way and leaves an opening behind the
stalk; this opening is instantly filled by the
rain beating the earth into it, and the stalk
secured as far as it has gone; another blast
forces it still lower, and the same etfest sue
ceeds behind it; when the storm is over we
find the stalk fixed precisely at that point of
depression at which the hardest blast of wind
left it after the hill became wet. This is the
present improved mode of billing corn.


Let them reflect on the present mode of sup
porting their stock, which is principally from
the courthouse; by neglecting the culture of
grasses, the flock is maintained (if well main-
tained) at more than double the expense that
it might be by proper attention to grass; and
the land at the same time reduced to poverty,
that would otherwise be enriched by such at
tention.


Now my friends, view yourselves impartial
ly in the mirror thus held up TO you, and I be-
lieye you will cease to wonder that you have
not long since discovered the advantages of
deep blowing.