Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-10-19

From train OF reasoning, was led 70
believe that the common ssa--ris---or ,ni-
neral coal which is SO sbundun; IN the q
ni;cd States when finely pulvcrise5--
might prove USEFUL manure. To ascer-
tain the truth 81 uiis-I made in the ,st-
ter part oflas; month, the following cxps-
rirnent.
LII three small pots put equal quaint.
ties oil yellow Clay, which had lately been
removed fsor1 sere-ai lces below The sur
lace OF the earth. 10 the first pol--ata.
bic spoon full of finely powdered pit coal
was addsd--to the second the same guam
thy CT powdered charcoal obtained from
The common oak, and the third was left
without any addition. The same number
Of sound grains OF corn were planted ia
each--lhc same quantity or water was dai-
iy added to each and they were exposed
IN similar situations 10 the aelions of light.
The rapidiiy OF the growth ofthe cora ia
the pot with the sea-coal exceeded aay
thing Of the kind ! had ever Witnessed.
May days did not elapse, before this corn
was four iuccs high, while at this time,
tina, with The common charcoal was rot
Two inches Highland that in the clay a.
lone had Only sptouted,
AfIer this experiment>was made, pro-
cured several small pots, and in each put
the same quantity oil clay. To The iirstI
added drachm oi sea coal--to the second
crachm ct horse manure-to the third
The saniS quantity OF plaster of Paris
and Ia the fourth the same quantity of
common ashes The fifth was left with
on, any addition. To each of these tie
same number of sound grains or wheat ahd
corn we're sdded.--The precautions taken
IN The hrst experiment, were strictly adj
iiercd 10 in this instance. In few days
my great expectations from The pi.-coaI
were somewhat Iessened-- perceivinp-
that the wheat with the horse manure was
| an inch high before that of the other pots
appeared. However This wa, for but a
short time; fer the wheat, in The pot with
the sea coai--cGme uP--grrw to an equal
hsigai ~ few days, and in fortnight,
sisno' the weather was cold, exceeded IL 5y
tTro inches he corn in The pot with coal
maintained sill! greater soperiority.---
II appeared more heailby--and was mere
than rance as large, as the largest in the
POS. Several of my acquaintances were
astunishedl 10 see this great difference in
segetaiion produced in so short a time.
PIT coal, mus, be cheaper than any arr
tclc used as a manure, since il is found
III SO many parts of this country. The "a
Dove experiments unquestionably sbcw
that when powdered lie power III Quicken
! ing the vegetation of corn and wheat, is
| much greater Than any mature, with
which we are acquainted. Our knowledge
OF the effects of chemical bodies on grow
ing vege ables, is bot in it's infancy. Pro-
baby the discoveries which have been
msde--aro notas generally known as they
should oe. l, may be owing to this cause:
Tor exsmp!e-tbat an ounce of sulphuric a.
CID IS notaededtoevery cart load of manure
which has long since been found in En-.
gland 70 reEder IT doubiy valuable. shall
coninns. my enquiries into this snbject,
and have been promised the assistance
OF several respectable characters. But
this wall BIZ OF litlle consequence compared
TO what could be afforded by the research-
es OF numerous people. Iorender there
lore the work | am preparing, more use.
full have To invite such farmers as NAV
notice new facts, to Communicate them TO
me- rs well as the dyers, brewers, tIi s,ii-
lers, taHRers--and all the PRACTICAL che
rnists VINO have made aay improvements
in their respective arts.
lcongi alula,e my fellow-ci,izens OF Vir-
ginla, on The fair prbsrect OF renoYa.ing
theu large tracts OF impoverished lands.
By speedily using the coal in their mex.
hausIble mines, hope the fertility of all
their iErms will soeb-be restored and that
The laboring poor among my hospisabie
eouDTymen. in fu.ure, may not suffer SO
much, as to be dependent Tor bread.
THOMAS EWELL. -
George Toyva, District
ef Columbia, 1905.
pT' Should communications be made
to me by mat, the postage must be paid
by ,hc authors, OF they will not be receis-
ed.