142 
THE SOUTHERx\ CULTIVATOR. 
DURABILITY OR SALT AS A FER'l'llRZliR. 
Some four years ago, we applied six barrels 
of (spoilci-l) salt fish to a strip of [loiatoe.s in a 
field of four acres, in comparison with yard ma- 
nure. To every hill, we put halt a herring or 
mackerel, at the lime nt planting. The sea.son 
proved a very dry one, and while the vines in 
the other parts of the field suffered greatly from 
the drought, those where the salt fish was used, 
maintained a dark, vigorous anil healthy color, 
vines very large, long, and continued green 
some lime after the others were shriveled, dried 
and dead. On raising, we found them much 
larger in size, and nearly double in quantity, to 
those where the yard manure was applied. 
At the time, we attributed thegreat y iel ',over 
the others, to the animal substance, as nothin^ 
but the bones ol the fish were lound in the tall, 
but on further reflection and observation, we are 
inclined to think that the salt was the mostpow 
erlul agent after all, as will appear from the 
crops taken oflthe three following years. 
The next crop w’e took from the same field 
■was Ruta Bagas, and that part where the fish 
■W'as used, showed a much more vigorous 
growth of plants, maintained the same dark, 
healthy appearance, and could be disiinauished 
from the rest at a great distance, but on lilting 
them in the fall, we found that the great growth 
of top was at the expense of the bottom; tiie 
bulbs were smaller than those in the other ari 
ol the field; thus for Ruta Bagas, it proved ra 
ther injurious. 
Last year the field was sown with oats, and 
produced a very heavy crop. The strip where 
the salt fish were used, was visible to the eye, at 
a great distance from the field, and the straw 
much la-’ger and longer; but just before the 
heads filled out, a severe storm of wind and rain 
prostrated it; before which it was the mosi 
vigorous growth of oats we ever beheld. 
After the oats were taken off, we had it plow- 
ed deep, the stubble well turned under, harrowed 
and rolled until well pulverized, and then sowed 
■with wheat, and stocked down w th clover and 
timothy. The plants soon made their appear 
ance, and grew off vigorously in the fall, bui 
owing to the small quantity of snow, and these 
verity of the frost in the winter, much ol the 
grain was killed, which gives it rather an un- 
sightly appearance, and looks a little patchy. 
On passing the field a lew days since, my ai- 
tention was arrested by the vigorous growth, 
dark color, and the heads presenting in lull 
bloom, were much taller, better tillered in that 
part of the field where the fish had been applied, 
■while on the other parts, the heads ol the w heat 
just began to present themselves. The line.'' 
■where the fish was used, could be traced by .he 
eye at a great distance. 
The question now presents itself — which is it 
that has ueen such a lasting and powerful agent 
in producing such extraordinary fertility? 1> 
it the flesh, the bones, the salt, or all combined 1 
The animal matter disappeared the first season, 
and nothing but the bones were to be seen, amt 
the quantity of salt was so small, that it would 
seem hardly possible that it would have such an 
efiect. Salt as a manure lor grass lands, mead- 
ows, &c., has been used in all pans of England, 
■with varying success. It is said to sweeten ihe 
herbage, and when sprinkled about, and over a 
portion ol pasture, cattle, sheep and horses, will 
constantly repair to this salted portion, in prefe- 
rence to any other part of the field. It evident- 
ly, therefore, rendered grass more palatable to 
live stock, and upon consulting the old agricul- 
tural writers, it was found that the notices ol salt 
as a manure, were many and important, and that 
it had been used in various agricultural opera- 
tions, from a very early period. 
Salt renders the earth capable of absorbing 
the moisture of the atmosphere, “a property of 
the first importance, since those soils which ab- 
sorb the greatest proportion of moisture from the 
atmosphere, are always the most valuable to the 
cultivator.”— Ag. Chem. 
Its fertilizing properties, v'hen applied to land, 
may be described as five in number. 
1st. In small proportions, it promotes the de- 
comjni.'.itio ' ot atiiuifil iiiiil vegetable subsuiii- 
ces. Salt, tlierefire, promote^ the ra' id disso- 
lution of animal and vegetable remains, con- 
tained in all vegetable soils. 
‘2d. It destroys vermin, and kills seeds, which 
are thus converted into manuie. 
3l 1. It is a direct constituent, or food of some 
plants; and it has been cleat ly ascertained, that 
It sal IS applied loasoil, the vegetables after- 
wards growing on that land, are lound to contain 
an increased firopmtion of common salt. 
4lh. Salt acts on vegetable substances as a 
stimulant. And 
5ih. Salt preserves vegetables from injury, by 
sudden transitions in the temperature of the at- 
mosphere. '1 hat Soils do not freeze so 
readily as usual, when salt is applied to them, 
is well known ; and that salt preserves ciops cl 
turneps, cabbages, &c., from injury by the irost, 
is equally well estal lished. — JulmS'in. B. 
•From the Maine Farmer 
THE WAY FRIEND HaN'sON MURDERS TWITCH 
Grass. 
We examined a field ol' corn the other day, 
belonging to our neighbor, Moses Hanson, 
which had formerly been covered with twitch 
ttrass, or as some call it, couch glass, one of the 
worst pests, as every person knows, that could 
lorment a fairner. I'he ury bones, alias mots of 
the plant, vvcie lying in great plenty in every di- 
teciion, but thurou.,hly dead, while the cotn was 
growing in great luxunance upon their le- 
mains. If we mist»ke not, the following is the 
history ol its management. A year ago last 
sprinjr, he turned the sod over flat, tie then 
called on his manure and spread it. He then 
tooK his horse, and with a small plow luinedihe 
manure, but not so deep as to disturb the sod. 
He then hai rowed it, and planted the long red 
potato w hich was hoed as usual. The potatoes 
soon covered the ground, and so shaded what 
was left of the grass tnat it could grow bul very 
little. Alter the potatoes were dug, he took his 
plow and team and turned the sod, which had 
now become partially rolled up on its edge, 
leaving i. so during the winter to receive the 
close embraces ol Jack Frost, and he did hug it 
tight last winter, “that’s a fact.” 
- In the sprins;, he run the ha'tow over it and 
planted his coin — manui ing it in the hill. This 
has been hoed twice, and iheie isn’t twitch grass 
enough lelt alive to f ed a Imjr wiih. 
Fiom ih*- Mriint l’aiin«r. 
SPIttir FOR CHILI-ED LAMBS*. 
Mr. Holmk.s — Although the usual season for 
l.ainbs this year is fiassed, yet 1 should hope the 
fo 1 iwintr would be rememhered against another 
'eason. Ii sheep lamb afier the middle ol 
April, as they should 'lo, they are liable to lamb 
in the night, or in a col l storm, and the lambs 
become chilled w ith the cold, and die in conse- 
quence. A friend of mine meniioned to me 
that he had heard it saiJ that spirit (rum) was 
the best thing to be given — made suitably weak 
by water, and sweetened with molasses; and 
that this year he had one cpportuniiy to try it, 
and it succeeded to his most sanguine expecta- 
tion. Every thing ihatjvill benefit the rearing 
ol sheep and production of wool, appears impor- 
tant to me, and, as 1 think, is important to the 
State. Elijah Wood. 
Winlhrop, August, 1844. 
BLACKBERRY SYRUP. 
This is said lo be almost a specific for the 
summer complaint. In 1832, it was successful 
in more than one case of cholera. To 2 quarts 
ofjuice of blackberries, add 
i lb. loaf sugar, 
4 oz. nutmegs, ^ oz. cinnamon, pulverized, 
^ oz. cloves, ^ OZ- alspice, pulverized. 
Boil all together for a short tiin'?, and when 
cold, add a pint of fourth proof brandy. 
From a tea spoon full to a wine glass, accord- 
ing to the age of the patient, till relieved, is to 
be given at a dose. 
|~VThe man who makes hi.s potato-ground 
leed flowers, prevents its feeding his children. 
From tlie Maine Fairner. 
“I came to the place of my birth and said, “The 
friends of my youili, wtiere are they V’ And echo an- 
swered, “ V\'nere aie they 1” 
BY JOHN S. LYNDE. 
I journeyed on to sunset skies, 
Was eager to be there. 
To gazt on scenes with longing eyes 
That once were dear and fair. ’ 
’T was when the moon was soaring' hi^h 
In clear and starlight heaven, * ' 
The whippoorwill soft warbling ni<jh 
The mournful song of even, 
That here I sat me down alone, 
Beneath my childhood tree. 
And called lo mind those days far gone 
Those days no more to be. ’ 
I dwelt on hours long flown away, 
Old scenes lo memory come, 
I thought of all so bright and gay. 
That blest my^eai iy home. 
The rocks and trees beside tbe stream, 
That vouthlul band so dear, ’ 
Their music came all like some dream, 
Lost notes on memory’s ear. 
’Twas here we met in school-boy play 
\\ hen sunshine lovely smiled, ’ 
Beneath the irtesall gieen and gay, 
I played a joyous child. 
The grove that stood beside the spring. 
Long years had hid from me, ’ 
The trees were fell, and every thing 
Had passed lime’s surging sea. 
O’er that fair field where once I toiled, 
Green waving branches hung, ’ 
The garden old had grown a wild, 
In wnich the blackbird sung. 
The clear bright spring that filled the cup, 
When boys v^ere let from school, 
Had ceased to boil and sparkle up. 
Was but a stagnant pool. 
The old round rock on which I played 
And drank the mountain gale, ’ 
Was rolled away, and downward strayed 
Laid low within the vale. ’ 
And that old house and home I lelt, , 
When life was young and gay. 
Of inmates all, was now berelt. 
For each had gone his way. 
In that dear cot my mother sung, 
Her cradle songs of yore, 
The swallows lived — and round it hung 
The insects on the flower. 
The friends I loved, the things I knew, 
Had vanished most awav, 
And all the strange remaining few, 
W ore locks of silver grey. 
’Twas then I dreamed of friends of yore, 
Their cold and mossy graves. 
Bright scenes of youth, deep darken’d o’er 
By time’s devouring waves. 
All things had changed, most friends hadfled 
Like fading hues of day; 
A voice came up from death’s dark bed, 
And echoed, “ where are they ?” 
August 4, 1844. 
Soap-suds to kill Plant Lice. — Mr. Thos. 
Sinclair, of Brighton, tells us be has been using 
whale oil scap to kill the lice on his fruit trees. 
He uses but two pounds of soap with 14 gallons 
of water, and he finds it fatal to the lice on the 
leaves and tender twigs. He applies the suds 
by means of a syringe, and he says it makes the 
leaves look more thrilly than before. — Mass. 
Plowman, 
