Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-10-18
Professor Barton.
Mr.. RIND,

the q whole herd of politicians" yet do
value very highly all agricultural improve.
ments. In the proposals have issued for
the publication OF new work on chemIs-
try; to be adapted to the use OF the citl-
zens in general; it is stated that would
relate some experiments, instituted to
throw light on the art of enriching lmpo-
verished lands. The result OF several OF
these, has so far exceeded my most san
guine expectations, that hasten TO publish
them-hoping to turn the attention OF farm.
ers to a subject, by which their interests
may be intellectually promoted.
From train of reasoning, | was led to
believe that the common sea, pit, or NIL
neral coal, which is so abundant in the u.
nited States-when fnely pulverised, might
prove useful manure. To ascertain the
the truth of this, | made in the latter part
of last month, the following experiments.
In three small pots 4 put equal quantities
of ayellow clay which had lately been re.
moved from several feet below the surface
of the earth. To the first pot, table
spoon full of finely powdered pit coal was
added to the second, the same quantity
of powdered charcoal obtained from the
common oak, and the third was left with
out any addition. The same number of
sound grains of corn was planted in each
the same quantity of water was daily add
ed 10 each, and they were exposed in SINH.
lar situations 20 the actioas of light The
rapidly of the growth of the corn in the
pot with the seq coal exceeded any thing OF
the kind ever witnessed. Many DAYS did
not elapse before this corn was four inches
high, while at this time, that with theco
mon charcoal was not two inches high, and
that in the clay alone had only sprouted.
Alter this experiment was made, pro.
cured several small pots, and in each put
the same quantity of clay. To the first |
added drachm of sea coal; to the second
drachm Of horse manure to the third
the same quantity of plaster Of Paris, and
to the fourth the same quantity OF common
ashes. The fifth was without any addition.
10 each of these the same number of sound
grains of wheat and copa were added. The
prs cautions taken in the first experiment,
were strictly adhered to in this instance
In few days ny great expectations from
the pit coal were somewhat lcssened
by perceiving that The wheat with he horse
manure was an inch high before that OF the
other pots appeared. However this was for
but shor time for the whea, in the POT
with he ca CO Il came up gre ws;o equai
height in few days, and in fortnight,
although the weasi1cr was cold, exceeded il
by two inches. The corn in the pot with
coal, maintained sill greater superiority.
1t appeared more heaithy, and was more
than twice as Large, as the largest in the
other pots. Several Of my acquaintance
were astonished to see this great difference
IN vegetation produced in SO short time.
Pit coal mus be cheaper than any article
used as manure, since it is found in so
many parts dthis couatry. The above ex.
,periments unqueslionabiy shew that wi,en
powdered, It's power in quickening the We
'getation Of corn and wheat, is much great.
err that any manure, with which we are ac-
qualnted. Cor knowledge &C the fleets Of
chemical bodies on growing vegetables is
MIA Ito ll'A%bSR' LiSO iosf VIC blSEhNC
which have been made, are not as general.
~ known as they should br. II NAV be
owning to this cause: for example, that an
oun of ulphuric acid is not added 70 very
cart load of manure, which has long since
been found IN England to render it doubly
valuable. | shah continue my enquiries
into this subjecs, and | have been promlis.
ed the assistance OF several respectable cha.
racters. But this will be of little conse.
quence compared to whatcould be afford.
ed by the researches Of numerous. people.
To render therefore the work am pre-.
pairing, more useful, have to invite such
farmers as may notice new facts, to com.
munlcate them to ne; as well as the Divers.
brewers, distillers, tanners, and all the
practical chemists, who have made any i'm
provements in their respective arts.