16 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



The feldspar which by its decomposition largely yields the alumina of clay soils, contains 

 also potash and soda; hence, a mixture of calcareous matter with other earths proves bene 

 ficial to crops. Clay soils have also a remarkable power for absorbing ammonia and other 

 substances, which constitute the food of plants. 



Under-draining is the best means of removing the water from clay soils, and thus ren 

 der them more available for cultivation, though open drains are effectual to a certain 

 extent. 



Sand, being porous, is very valuable to mix with the too compact clay, thus producing 

 a soil neither too porous or compact; for large fields, this may often prove too expensive for 

 practical purposes. Coarse vegetable manures, such as straw, corn-stalks, fine chips, etc., 

 which have a tendency to reduce the compactness, are recommended by some writers on this 

 subject. Barn-yard manure is also excellent. Lime and gypsum add much to the fertility of 

 such soils. 



English writers on agriculture mention the use of burnt clay in many parts of Europe, 

 a practice long in vogue there for the improvement of clay soils, but in this country it would 

 be attended with too great expense to be practicable. Their method is to roll and harrow the 

 field in dry weather till the majority of the clods are about the size of a large walnut; when 

 perfectly dry, collect them into rows about six yards apart with iron-teeth rakes ; about four 

 yards apart in the rows apply faggots and burn the clay slowly, to prevent hardening. When 

 the heaps of earth are cold, they are spread over the surface and plowed in. This method, 

 it is stated, has astonishingly increased the productiveness of some of the poor clay soils in 

 certain localities of England, but as we have previously stated, we doubt the expediency of 

 its adoption in this country, where labor is attended with so much greater expense. 



It is desirable to plow clay soils in the autumn, that the action of frost, rain, and heat 

 may aid in pulverizing the earth, after which, if barnyard manure be applied (which we think 

 one of the most desirable manures for clay soils), it acts both chemically and mechanically to 

 reduce it to a mellow condition and perfect its texture, being in a condition to freely admit 

 air and moisture, and consequently warmth and increased fertility, while it is neither too 

 porous or compact, and readily discharges surplus water, yet retains sufficient for moisture; 

 by the fineness and closeness of its particles, the soil settles sufficiently compact around the 

 roots of the plants to increase their absorption of nutritive properties, which produce a rapid 

 and healthy growth. If plowed in the spring or summer, it should not be either too wet 

 or dry ; if too wet, it turns over heavy and soon becomes hard and lumpy by drying in the 

 hot sun, and subsequent plowing or harrowing will not effectually counteract the evil for a 

 long time, thus often injuring the texture of the soil for many years. The action of frost 

 will afterwards correct this difficulty in a measure, but not wholly. If plowed too dry, the 

 soil is so compact that it renders the task a difficult one; besides, it remains in clods. After 

 the rain has sufficiently moistened such clods, the harrow may be applied effectually to reduce 

 them with considerable success; but it is better to plow such soil when neither too wet or 

 dry, but of medium consistency. Plowing under green crops is very beneficial to clay soils; 

 but one of the most important points in their successful management is to keep the texture 

 in a desirable condition by the judicious use of implements in working the land over, and 

 preventing its becoming lumpy and hard, thus at the same time improving its texture and 

 increasing its fertility in a proportionate degree. 



Thorough mixture should never be neglected in any soil, as the change of particles gives 

 the opportunity for the extended union of the fertilizing elements, while new combinations 

 are thus formed, aided by the atmosphere and the increased moisture resulting from the stir 

 ring of the soil. 



The gradual deepening of clay soils, that is, deepening it some with each season s plow 

 ing, is thought by most farmers to be a good rule, though a very old one. 



