California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences, Volume 12, Number 16, 25 November 1859 — Manuring the Land. [ARTICLE]

Manuring the Land.

A mono the many facts which have been used in tho last two years to show the vast importance of tho subject of the deterioration of tbe soil by continuous cropping without manuring, or without giving back a. sufllcient quantity to restore the soil and keep up its fertility, we give the rem irks which follow and the table offered, which speaks Volumes:

The following extracts Trom an address delivered by Mr. Hohert C. Tell, before the Farmers' (Jlnh of tlie American Institute, March 31, 1857, show what rapid strides downwards tbe farmers of the United States are taking, from fruitful fields to a, sterile soil —from bread enough to feed others, to its importation to feed themselves: There is nothing more portentous than the alarming deterioration of our soils in this Umpire Stale. For example, in a little less than five years, seven hundred thousand acres of choice land were brought under cultivation, in addition to that already improved; consequently, we should look for a corresponding increase in agricultural productions. Instead of which, listen to the facts, nnd mnke up your ininds to become more prudent nnd skillful cultivators of tho soil, or nt some future and no very distant day, find yourselves importers of tbe staff of life. Decrease of Horses during that period 50,000 do Cows 04,000 do Oxen und other cattle 128,000 do Sheep 3,000,000 do Hogs liOO.OOO do Potatoes, bushels 7,300,000 do Ilcans, peas, Ac, " 1,200,000 do Huckwhent, " .100,001) do Wheat " 300,000 do Flax, lbs 2,000,000 do Wool, " 4,000,000 We are not alone. The same fuct may be observed in Massnch iisei ts, where 100,000 acres of mowing lands were added, aud tbe hay crop has depreciated 13 per cent. The rich alluvial lands of Illinois, that formerly produced (15 bushels of corn to the acre, now yield 42 bushels. Wisconsin, thirteen years since, produced 40 bushels of wheat to the acre, now only 20. Plainly showing that agricultural prosperity has a downward tendency, and can only be arrested by returning to the soil those substances that we abstract from it. In sixty years, our population will number 100,000,040, and how arc they to be fed, if we pursue our present impoverishing system? The same deterioration must take place everywhere, wherever the earth shall be continually cropped and nothing given back. As well might a farmer expect his horse or his working cattle to do the same work without food, as to expect the soil to give crops year after year, without food.

The subject of manuring the soil is receiving some attention now, nnd we rejoice to know it. One evidence of this fact can be had in seeing the teams that bring produce into the city go out londed with the manures of our stables. This is a cheering fact, and if our farmers will go back to '5.1 and '54, they will call to mind many reports of crops ol CO, 70 and HO bushels of wheat to the acre—and this was common. Where are these great crops now ? It is true we have good crops Mm year, and it arises from this notorious fact: there has been great attention paid to deep plowing and to tubsoxling, and this system has brought to the surface the ntw virgin soil, and thus has given increased crops. We nre glad, in this connection, to call public attention to the arrival of a small lot of the Johnston Island Ouuno, tbe circular of which appears in our columns. This species of guano is very highly charged with " phosphates," and by the analysis of various kinds It will be perceived that this lot stands very high. We shall now, from week to week, gather and publish very material facts on this species of manure, and we hope our farmers will securo a portion of thia valuable fertilizer, before it is too late.