1693, 694, 695, 696 [ culture of the cane hills. 32 1 



It would seem, however, as if even this circumstance might be 

 turned to better account, than is the case at present. 



693. It is a misfortune for this district, as well as for many other regions of 

 the State, that the practice of circling or horizontalizing has not been introduced 

 at an earlier day. In consequence of this omission, the brown loam stratum 

 has been entirely removed from a great many ridges, leaving behind the 

 calcareous silt, which, though by no means infertile, and even more easily tilled 

 than the original soil, is not as safe, nor equally susceptible of improvement. In 

 a great many cases, however, fields have been turned out as of little value, 

 simply because the surface soil was removed, laying bare the brown or yellow 

 loam subsoil. Now, the analysis of the latter proves, that it contains more 

 elements of fertility than even the fresh surface soil ; and is perfectly adapted 

 to cultivation so far as its physical properties are concerned ; hence, if it does 

 not produce freely at first, this must be owing to the fact that its nutritive- 

 elements are not in an available form. Such is very commonly the case with 

 clay subsoils, as has been mentioned in the General Part of the Agricultural 

 Report (1T506, ff.), where the means of obviating this difficulty are also indicated, 

 viz: the use of "stimulant manures", or fallowing (l[357). The same holds 

 good, of course, when this subsoil has been brought to the surface by means of 

 the subsoil plough, as has been recommended above. 



694. The stimulant needed, fortunately, is close at hand almost 

 everywhere in this region, in the shape of the calcareous silt often 

 mentioned. The latter is, in fact, a marl (T330), as truly as a great 

 number of other materials recommended and employed as such, 

 and is admirably adapted to supply the deficiencies, and in every 

 manner improve the quality, of the subsoil in question. Nor is 

 this a mere supposition based upon the analysis ; for upon inquiring 

 into the subject while in the field, numerous cases have come under. 

 my observation where the silt had either been washed down, or 

 otherwise accidentally mingled with the loam subsoil ; and in all 

 of these, the land was reported to have produced " as if it was 

 fresh ", 



It is likely, however, that in most cases, this silt-marl will act not merely as 

 a stimulant. The analysis shows it to contain a considerable amount of potash, 

 etc. ; and as the lime has been in contact with the material for a goodly length 

 of time, it is probable that a large part of this Potash, as well as other ingredi- 

 ents, is in an available condition (i[445). Hence it will act to a considerable 

 extent as a true manure. (See General Part, (1T416, ff.)- 



695. In many cases, the transportation of the material in question can. 

 be effected to a considerable extent, by allowing it to be washed down on the 

 land from the higher portions of the hills. It has been mentioned that it does 

 not wash readily of its own accord, but does so very easily indeed, when once 

 loosened — as is the case in the road cuts. It is so universally present, however, 

 that its distribution by hauling or carting can rarely be very expensive. It can 

 frequently be obtained in the fields themselves, on the surface, or at the depth 

 of a few feet ; and it is so commonly found on the elevated points and ridges, 

 that the necessity of transportation upwards will rarely occur to any considera- 

 ble extent. Whenever the material can be obtained at the surface, an excellent 

 method of effecting its distribution on the large scale (suggested by Col. J. A. 

 Ventress, of Wilkinson) would be the employment of the well-known Railroad 

 Excavator- Cart, which shovels up and conveys away the loosened material in one 

 and the same operation. A very small force could thus very conveniently 

 effect the marling of a whole plantation. 



696. In selecting the material to be used, which will easily be distinguished 



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