FIXED FACTS IN AGRICULTURE.

Colonist, Issue 26, 19 January 1858, Page 3

FIXED FACTS IN AGRICULTURE.

There are so many just observations in the subjoined facts that we do not hesitate to transfer them to our sheet, as they are particularly applicable to this province.—Ed. Colonist.

1. All lands on which clover or the grasses are grown must either have lime in them naturally or that mineral must be artificially supplied. It matters but little whether it be supplied in the form of stone-lime, oyster-lime, or marl.

2. All permanent improvement of lands must look to lime as its basis.

3. Lands' which have been long in culture will be benefited by % application of phosphate of lime; and it is unimportant whether the deficiency be supplied in the form of bonedust, guano, native phosphate of lime, composts of fresh ashes, or that of oyster shell lime or marl, if the land need lime also. 4. No lands can be preserved in a high state of fertility, unless clover and the grasses are cultivated in the course of rotation.

5. Mould is indispensable in every soil, and a healthy supply can only be preserved through the cultivation of clover and the grasses, the turning in of green crops, or by the application' of composts, rich in the elements of mould. ■ 6. Highly concentrated animal manures are increased in value, and their benefits prolonged, by admixture with plaster salt, or with pulverised charcoal. 7. Deep ploughing greatly improves the productive powers of every variety of soil that is not wet. 8. Subsoiling sound land—that is, land that is not -wet— is also eminently conducive to increase production. 9. All wet land should be drained. 10. All grain crops should be harvested before the grain is fully ripe. 11. Clover, as well as grasses intended for hay, should be mowed when in bloom. 12. Sandy soils can be most effectually improved by clay. When such lands require liming or marling, the lime or marl is most beneficially applied when made into composts with clay. In slacking lime, salt lime is better than water. 13. The chopping or grinding of grain to be fed to stock operates as a saving of at least 25 per cent. 14. Draining of wet lands and marshes adds to their value, by making them to produce more, and by improving the health of neighbourhood. 15. To manure or lime wet lands, is to throw manure, lime, and labour away. 16. Shallow ploughing operates to impoverish the soil, while it decreases production.

17. By stabling and sheding stock through the winter, a saving of one-fourth the food may be effected; that is, one-fourth less food will answer than when stock may be exposed to the inclemencies of the weather.

18. A bushel of plaster per acre, sown broadcast over clover, will add. one hundred per cent, to its product.

19. Periodical applications of ashes tend to keep up the integrity of soils, by supplying, most, if not all, of the organic substances.

20. Thorough preparation of land is absolutely necessary to the successful and luxuriant growth of crops.

21. Abundant crops cannot be grown for a succession of years, unless care be taken to provide an equivalent for the substances carried of the land in the products grown thereon. 22. To preserve meadows in their productiveness, it is necessary to harrow them every second autumn, apply topdressing, and roll them up. 23. All stiff clays are benefitted by fall and winter ploughings; but should never be ploughed when wet. If, at such ploughing, the furrow he materially deepened, lime, marl, or ashes should be supplied.