186 ^CfRICULTURAX ESSAYS. 



when it first emerges from the surface, the more it will be exr 

 posed to the injurious effects of every species of insect to which 

 it ma^ be subjected. 



Practicability of Fertilizing the Barren Pine Plajf 

 Land. 



There are vast tracts of this land in different parts of the U- 

 idited States, the propritors of which, either through negligencs, 

 or want of proper information, suffer to remain in a barren 

 state , even after it has been cleared of its timber. 



The question probably is, with many of them, how they can 

 commence the process of tillage, so as to encourage them with 

 a prospect of success to their labors, not havmg suitable ma- 

 nures to enrich it,or the means, as they may suppose, of provid- 

 mg them. 



It is, however, very certain that such land have been in 'ma- 

 ay instances converted into fruitful fields, and rendered highly 

 productive. The m»des of effecting this change in the state of 

 these lands, has been discovered either by experiment, or 

 from the science of those principles which govern the vegeta- 

 tion and growth of plants. 



It is believed that this science, may now save the farme th e 

 oxpence and time necessary, in making improvements on their 

 lands, by experiment. 



The difficulty in commencing successful operations 

 on such lands, appears to arise from a supposed imprac- 

 ticability of effecting the growth of any green crop, what- 

 ever, ia the outset, arising from the barrenness of the soil. 

 But before an effort is made to overcome this obstacle, it is ne- 

 cessary to understand the nature and constituent proper- 

 ties of such soils ; for notwithstanding there may be a 

 uniformity in the complexion of their surface, it is certain that 

 their constituent ingredients may be very different. As to 

 the necessity of a knowledge of these, and the means of dis- 

 covering them, the reader is referred to the essay on the na- 

 fture and constituent properties of the soil. 



