SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE SOUTH. 



the pea would probably take root and flourish in any soil whicr. the price 

 of land in this country would justify an effort to render productive, novr, 

 or for a long term of years to come. Indeed, the capacity to produce this 

 plant may afford the best practical test of the economy and expediency of 

 attempting it in any given case. If a good green manuring crop can bo 

 made to grow on the soil without any more expensive aids than those 

 above suggested, the lever of improvement cheap, but effectual is placed 

 in the hands of the planter, and, if he possesses the least degree of energy, 

 \o has no occasion to seek a new soil and home by emigration. 



Mr. Ruffin states, if I remember aright, that a few quarts per acre, of 

 peas, are sown by the Southern planters. In the North, three bushels, at 

 least, are sown; and this quantity would be little enough to pioduce the 

 largest amount of green manure. 



Theory would indicate that the crop should be turned under before it 

 comes into full, flower,* but experience and convenience both deserve con- 

 sulting in the premises. 



An active span of horses, with a Northern two-horse plow, and an ex- 

 pert plowman, would readily plow two acres per diem, on sandy soils, and 

 plow it well.t The expense of getting in a crop of peas can then be read- 

 ily estimated. 



If one crop can be made to take root and grow, and is plowed under 

 when green, the great point is attained, and there will be neither difficulty 

 nor uncertainty subsequently. The organic matter thus deposited in the 

 &oil is the basis on which future improvements can be effected ad libitum. 

 As far south as South Carolina, at least two, and probably three crops 

 co-Aid be plowed in during a single season. This might be done in time 

 for winter grain, and a crop of the latter sown as a covering crop with 

 grass seeds. The grain would refund much of the previous expense. 



Plowing in two or three crops in succession may, at first view, seem an 

 expensive, process ; but, with the exception of the extra seeding, it is no 

 more labor than is bestowed on every wheat crop by a large proportion of 

 the farmers of Western New-York ! When the ground is summer fal- 

 lowed, the ordinary practice on our wheat lands is to have it three times 

 thoroughly plowed and harrowed, and the first time a crop of clover is 

 plowed in. All this is a light outlay compared with thorough marling, or 

 manuring with swamp mud. And, after either of the latter processes, the 

 land has yet to be plowed and seeded.f 



It would not be necessary to plow in as many as three crops of peas, to 

 'ay the foundation of ordinary pasture. Two, and possibly one, would 

 suffice. The comparative utility of forcing forward the fertilization of 

 land, rapidly or gradually, depends much upon the amount of capital which 

 the landholder has to devote to this object. The amount of labor subtract- 

 ed from the ordinary operations of the plantation would be very small, in 

 any case, in proportion to the object to be attained. A single expert 

 plowman, with a good team, could give even the three plowings to a large 

 field.H 



* " Because flower-leaves," says Johnston, give off nitrogen into the air ; and, as this element is sup- 

 posed especially to promote the growth of plants, it is desirable to retain as much of it in the plant and scil 

 M possible." Ag. Che.m., vol. ii., p. 185. 



t Perhaps more. That amount is frequently exceeded here, on stubUe lands. 



j So that the expense to be otfsetted against one of those processes (in estimating their compara?!T 

 economy as a means of reclamation with green manuring) is plowing, harrowing, and seeding tidai. 



|| I have attempted to fix no definite data on this point, because you, who are acquainted with plowing 

 Southern lands, are better competent to do so. 1 would remark, in this connection, that my conviction* 

 are very strong that the introduction of the two-horse plow of the Norih would lead to a decided improve, 

 ment in your Agriculture, from the superior manner in which it does its work, and by leading to deeper 

 plowing. The wheel will cause it to run as shallow as a one-horse plow, however svhere the character O; 

 the Boif renders it desirable. 



