Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

PREFACE.

THE object of this Essay is to investigate the peculiar features and qualities of the soils of our tide-water district, to show the causes of their general unproductiveness, and to point out means as yet but little used, for their effectual and profitable improvement. My observations are particularly addressed to the cultivators of that part of Virginia which lies between the sea coast and the falls of the rivers, and are generally intended to be applied only within those limits. By thus confining the application of the opinions which will be maintained, it is not intended to deny the propriety of their being further extended. On the contrary, I do not doubt but that they may correctly apply to all similar soils, under similar circumstances; for the operations of nature are conducted by uniform laws, and like causes must every where produce like effects. But as I shall rely for proofs on such facts as are either sufficiently well known already, or may easily be tested by any inquirer, I do not choose to extend my ground so far, as to be opposed by the assertion of other facts, the truth of which can neither be established nor overthrown by any available or sufficient testimony.

The peculiar qualities of our soils have been little noticed, and the causes of those peculiarities have never been sought-and though new and valuable truths may await the first explorers of this opening for agricultural research, yet they can scarcely avoid mistakes sufficiently numerous to moderate the triumph of success. I am not blind to the difficulties of the investigation, nor to my own unfitness to overcome them-nor should I have hazarded the attempt, but for the belief that such an investigation is all important for the improvement of our soil and agriculture, and that it was in vain to hope that it would be undertaken by those who were better qualified to do justice to the subject. I ask a deliberate hearing, and a strict scrutiny of my opinions, from those most interested in their truth. If a change, in most of our lands, from hopeless sterility to a high state of productiveness, is a vain fancy, it will be easy to discover and expose the fallacy of my views: but if these views are well founded, none better deserve the attention of farmers, and nothing can more seriously affect the future agricultural prosperity of our country. No where ought such improvements to be more highly valued, or more eagerly sought, than among us, where so many causes have concurred to reduce our products, and the prices of our lands, to the lowest state, and are yearly extending want, and its consequence, ignorance, among the cultivators and proprietors.

In pursuing this inquiry, it will be necessary to show the truth of various facts and opinions, which as yet are unsupported by authority, and most of which have scarcely been noticed by agricultural writers, unless to be denied. The number of proofs that will be required, and the discursive course through which they must be reached, may probably render more obscure the reasoning of an unpractised writer. Treatises on agriculture ought to be so written as to be clearly understood, though it should be at the expense of some other requisites of good writing—and in this respect, I shall be satisfied if I succeed in making my opinions intelligible to every reader, though many might well dispense with such particular explanations. Agricultural works are seldom considered as requiring very close attention; and therefore, to be made useful, they should be put in a shape suited to cursory and irregular reading. A truth may be clearly established—but if its important consequences cannot be regularly deduced for many pages afterwards, the premises will then probably have been forgotten, so that a very particular reference to them may be required. These considerations must serve as my apology for some repetitions—and for minute explanations and details, which some readers may deem unnecessary.

The theoretical opinions supported in this essay, together with my earliest experiments with calcareous manures, were published in the American Farmer, (vol. 3. page 313,) in 1821. No reason has since induced me to retract any of the important positions then assumed. But the many imperfections in that publication, which grew out of my want of experience, made it my duty, at some future time, to correct its errors, and supply the deficiencies of proof, from the fruits of subsequent practice and observation. With these views, this essay was commenced and finished in 1826. But the work had so grown on my hands, that instead of being of a size suitable for insertion in an agricultural journal, it would have filled a volume. The unwillingness to assume so conspicuous a position, as the publication in that form would have required, and the fear that my work would be more likely to meet with neglect or censure than applause, induced me to lay it aside, and to give up all intention of publication. Since that time, the use of fossil shells as a manure has greatly increased, in my own neighborhood and elsewhere, and has been attended generally with all the improvement and profit that was expected. But from paying no regard to the theory of the operation of this manure, and from not taking warning from the known errors and losses of myself as well as others, most persons have used it injudiciously, and have damaged more or less of their lands. So many disasters of this kind, seemed likely to restrain the use of this valuable manure, and even to destroy its reputation, just as it was beginning rapidly to extend. The additional consideration has at last induced me to risk the publication of this essay,

The experience of five more years, since it was written, has not contradicted any of the opinions then advanced-and no change has been made in the work, except in form, and by continuing the reports of experiments to the present time.

It should be remembered, that my attempt to convey instruction is confined to a single means of improving our lands, and increasing our profits: and though many other operations are, from necessity, incidentally noticed, my opinions or practices on such objects are not referred to as furnishing rules for good husbandry. In using calcareous manure for the improvement of poor soils, my labors have been highly successful-but that success is not necessarily accompanied by general good management and economy. To those who know me intimately, it would be unnecessary to confess the small pretensions that I have to the character of a good farmer-but to others, it may be required, for the purpose of explaining why other improvements and practices of good husbandry have not been more aided by, and kept pace with, the effects of my use of calcareous ma

nures.

Shellbanks, Virginia, January Į 20th, 1832.

E. R.

ADVERTISEMENT
To Second Edition.

When the first edition of this Essay was published, it met with a reception far more favorable, and a demand from purchasers much greater, than the author's anticipations had reached: and it is merely in accordance with the concurrent testimony of the many agriculturists who have since expressed and published opinions on the subject, to say that the publication has already had great and valuable effects in directing attention, and inducing successful efforts, to the improvement of land by calcareous manures. Experimental knowledge on this head has probably been more than doubled within the last two years; and the narrow limits of the region within which marling had previously been confined, have been enlarged to perhaps tenfold their former extent. Still, the circumstances now existing, however changed for the better, present a mere beginning of the immense and valuable improvements of soil, and increase of profits, that must hereafter grow out of the use of calcareous manures, if their operation is properly understood by those who apply them. But if used without that knowledge, their great value will certainly not be found; and indeed, they will often cause more loss than profit. It is therefore not so important to the farmers of our country at large to be convinced of the general and great value of calcareous manures—and to those in the great Atlantic tide-water region to know the newly established truth, that their beds of fossil shells furnish the best and cheapest of manures—as it is, that all should know in what manner, and by what general laws, these manures operate-how they produce benefit, and when they may be either worthless, or injurious. And this more important end, the author regrets to believe has as yet scarcely been even partially attained, by the dissemination and proper understanding of correct views of the subject. Of course it is not to be supposed that this Essay has been read, (if even heard of,) by one in ten of the many who have been prompted by verbal information, to attempt the practice it recommends; and of those who have read, and who have even expressed warm approbation of the work, it has seldom been found that their praise was discriminating, or founded upon a thorough examination of its reasoning and theoretical views, on which, whatever value it may possess, principally rests. For all persons who are so easily convinced, it may be truly said, that the volume embraced nothing more, and was worth no more, than would be found in these few words-"the application of calcareous manures will be found highly improving and profitable." It is not therefore at all strange, that the attentive reading of a volume to obtain this truth, was generally deemed unnecessary.

Though the first edition of this work has been nearly exhausted, the circulation has as yet been almost confined to a small portion of only the state of Virginia, in which the mode of improvement recommended had previously been successfully commenced, or had at least attracted much attention. But this district is not better fitted to be thus improved than the remainder of the great tide-water region, stretching from Long Island to Mobile—and to a great part of which, calcareous manures may be cheaply applied. It is only in parts of Maryland and Virginia that many extensive and highly profitable applications of fossil shells, or marl, have

been yet made: in North Carolina, the value of the manure has been but lately tried-in South Carolina and Georgia, no notice of it has been yet taken, or at least has not been made known—and in Florida and Alabama, (parts of which are peculiarly suited to receive these benefits,) it is most erroneously thought that such improvements are only profitable for old settled and impoverished countries. The farmers of Pennsylvania have gone far ahead of those in Virginia in manuring with lime—and it is believed (but upon no certain testimony) that in New Jersey, use has been made of the calcareous manure which in Virginia is called marl, as well as of the green sand, which they even still more erroneously call by the same name. But whatever may have been the extent of their use of calcareous manures of every kind, and however great their success, it is believed that our northern brethren have been as little directed by correct views of the operation of these manures, as those of the south, who have neglected them entirely.

But though the circulation of this work will be most useful through the great tide-water region, which is so generally supplied with underlying beds of fossil shells, and so much of the soil of which especially needs such manure--still the assertion may be ventured that there is no part of the country, where the views presented, if true, are not important to be known-and if known, would not be highly useful to aid the improvement of soils. It is to the general theory of the constitution of fertile and barren soils, that the attention and severe scrutiny of both scientific and practical agriculturists are invited—and to the several minor points there presented, which are either altogether new, or not established by authority: such as the doctrine of acidity in soils of the incapacity of poor and acid soils to be enriched—and of the entire absence of carbonate of lime in most of the soils of this country.

The circumstances stated above, have induced the publication of a second edition as a supplement to the Farmers' Register, (and suited to be bound with either volume of that work,) which, in that form, may have the facility of distribution through the mail-and which may be offered at so low a price as to reach, as nearly as possible, that general circulation which is its author's main object.

This edition will contain nearly three-fourths more print than the first, (each page of this, containing as much as four and a half pages of that,) and yet will be sold at but little more than half the price. The new matter consists principally of more full explanations—additional and new proofs—and more full and minute directions for practical operations, designed especially for the use of those who are beginning to apply marl, and have every thing on the subject to learn.

April, 1835.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Lime in some proportion in every soil capable of supporting vegetation, 22. Enunciation of the doctrines of acid soils and neutral soils, 23. Acid not considered an ingredient of soil by any writers of authority, and denied by others, 23. Proofs of the existence of acid and neutral soils, 23. Growth of sorrel and pine, 23. Dead acid plants most favor the growth of living ones, 24. Acid in farm-yard manure, and its effects, 24. Changes of one vegetable acid to another, 24. Acid of soil poisonous to valuable crops, 25. Indirect proofs of acid from the analysis of neutral soils, 25. Difficulties attending the geological theory of the formation of soils, and the denial of acidity, 26. Disappearance of calcareous earth known once to have been present, 26, 27. Lime in all wood ashes, 27. Proof from the recent chemical discovery of humic acid, 27, 28. DeductionsSupposed natural formation and progress of neutral and acid soils, 28. Dormant and concealed fertile power of the poor acid wood land, 29. Difference from most European soils, 29.

CHAPTER VIII.

The mode of operation of calcareous earth in soils, 29
Silicious earth has no chemical power to retain putres-
cent matters, 29. Aluminous carth but little-and much
mechanical power to prevent giving food to plants, 30.
Objections to the common opinion that manures are
lost by sinking, 30. Chemical power of calcareous earth
to combine with and retain putrescent matters, 30.
Different proofs exhibited, 30, 31. Power of calcareous
earth to destroy acidity in soils, 31. The sure and sud-
den benefit found from this action, 32. Power of cal-
careous earth to make clay soils more light, and sandy
soils more stiff, 32—of increasing the ability of soils to
absorb and retain moisture, 32. Davy's theory of the
action of quicklime as manure, 32, 33. Application of
the theory, and particularly to the soils of Virginia, 33.
Quicklime, applied as manure, soon changes to carbo-
nate of lime, and its effects then only are such as belong
to calcareous earth, 33. Proposed classification of ma-
nures under the heads of alimentary, solvent, mor-
dants, neutralizing, mechanical, stimulating, and specific
manures, 34.

PART II.-Practice.
CHAPTER IX.

General observations on marl and lime. Effects
of calcareous manures on acid sandy soils, new-
ly cleared,

The theory of the constitution of soils sustained by practical proof, 35. Fossil shells, improperly called marl, 35. Improper use of the term marl in England, 35. Written instructions on marl serve to discourage the use of fossil shells, 35. Their directions for liming, a better guide, 36. Earliest known use of fossil shells in this country, 36. General remarks introductory to the details of experiments, 36, 37. Experiments on newly cleared sandy soils, early and late results, 37, 38. Others early and late, compared with effects of putrescent manures, 39, 40.

CHAPTER X.

Effects of calcareous manure on acid clay soils, recently cleared,

35

40

Proofs of the existence of acid and neutral soils,

22 Description of the worst known class of clay soils, 40. Re

markable effect on such from marling, in grain crops and clover, 41, 42. Products increasing with time, 42. CHAPTER XI.

The effects of calcareous manures on acid soils impoverished by cultivation,

Marling always very effective on these soils, 43. Causes of disappointment and loss experienced, 43. Early and late effects of light dressings, 43. Of marl applied too heavily on such land, 43, 44. Remedy afforded by clover and gypsum, 45. Other results of heavy dressings, with and without the addition of putrescent manures, 45, 46. CHAPTER XII.

[ocr errors]

their permanency, 58, 59. Supposed progress of action of marl and of its effects on soils, traced, 59. Difference in the manner, and difficulty of improving exhausted calcareous and acid soils, 59.

CHAPTER XVIII.

43 The expense and profit of marling,

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors]

CHAPTER XVI.

47

48

The former general incredulity respecting the value of marl now charged to too ready and erroneous belief, 59. Improper mode of estimating the value of land, and of improvements of the soil, 60. True mode of estimating values, 60. Objections answered, 61. Statements of actual expenses incurred in marling, 61. Faults in the usual course of persons commencing to marl, and advantages of a different course, 61. The distant transportation of marl, 62. The cost may be advantageously incurred for gardens, and town lots, 62. Rail roads and canals considered as means for conveying marl, 62. CHAPTER XIX.

The use of calcareous manures recommended to preserve putrescent manures, and to promote cleanliness and health, especially in towns, Effect of calcareous earth in preventing the waste of the products of putrifying carcasses, 62, 63. Cases in which this power might be usefully employed, 63. Considered as a means of saving manures, and for guarding health, 63. In towns, 63, 64. Difference of the preservative action of marl, in this respect, and the destructive action of quicklime, 64. Greater cost and inconvenience of lime, 64, 65. Practical effects of calcareous earth in preserving health, 65. Advantages of its use in towns, 65. Shelled streets of Mobile, 65. The burning of towns, how operating to improve health, 66 Healthiness of the calcareous prairies of Alabama, 66, 67. Experience of such effects from marling, 67.

CHAPTER XX.

51

[blocks in formation]

59

62

67

NOTE A.

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

Recapitulation of the effects of calcareous manures, and directions for their most profitable application, Conformity of the results of practice to previous theoretical views, 53. Marling most effectual in conjunction with putrescent manures and on acid and sandy soils, 53. Lessened in effect by exhausting tillage, 53. Unusual increase of products obtained, 53. Rules for fixing safe and proper quantities of marl to be applied, 53, 54. Advantage of marling woodland before clearing, 54.Cultivation of "pine old fields" with and without marling, 54. Less improvement from marl on exhausted "free light land," 54. Supposed causes of the peculiar qualities of such soils, 54, 55. Marling deepens sandy soils, 55. Peculiar benefits of marling to certain crops -cotton, wheat and clover, 55. The impossibility of raising red clover on acid soils before marling, and the certainty afterwards, 55. The causes to which former failures were erroneously attributed, 55. What weeds encouraged by marling, 56. Practical directions for new beginners at marling, 56. Permitting grazing at first, 56. Reasons for early disappointments experienced, 57. Obstacles to the extension of marling, 57. Anticipations, 57. The usual objections to sandy soils unfounded, and proofs of their fitness for profitable improvement and tillage, 57, 58.

CHAPTER XVII.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

Davy's apparatus, 75. Superior advantages, and particu

« AnteriorContinuar »